Pupils are sure to be intrigued by the larger-than-life visuals and machines that make up the Steampunk universe. This video from the “Steampunk capital of the world” – Oamaru, New Zealand – is a great introduction. Read all about Oamaru and Steampunk in our article. Please don’t adjust your screen – the flickering camera work … Continue reading “Steampunk Video”
Talking about emotions can be hard when you are a teenager — even more so when the feelings are about love and romance, and you have to talk about it in another language! This video of American teenagers talking about crushes is an excellent conversation starter for A2-A2+ classes. Why not use it for Valentine’s … Continue reading “Valentine’s Day: Talking about Feelings”
The U.S. National Parks Service celebrated its centenary in 2016. Although the first park, Yellowstone, was founded in 1872, the park service and rangers date from 1916. The U.S. was the first country to legislate to protect areas of national beauty, and National Parks are popular with American and foreign visitors alike. These resources allow … Continue reading “National Parks and Sequoia Tunnel Trees Webpicks”
Groundhog Day, 2 February, gives lots of possibilities for revising vocabulary for weather and seasons, considering weather proverbs in English and French, and getting a bit of science into English class. The weather, like Groundhog Day, comes back around regularly, and discussing the tradition can serve as a handy reminder of weather terms. Or pick … Continue reading “Weather Webpicks”
These videos will help you discuss Martin Luther King Day in class. The third Monday in January, close to MLK’s birthday on the 15th, is a federal holiday and a day of service when citizens are encouraged to volunteer in their communities. This 60-second Public Service Announcement for the day of service s simple – … Continue reading “Martin Luther King Day on the Web”
Once every four years, a U.S. President is inaugurated. This video gives a succinct summary of the significance of this ritualised event. The video was prepared before Barack Obama’s second inaugural ceremony in 2013, but it gives a good overview of the Inauguration as a U.S. political institution. The second minute, where a historian wonders … Continue reading “Presidential Inaugurations: Video”
‘Tis the season to be jolly! Before the winter holidays, why not do a little cultural comparisons, looking at how Christmas is celebrated in English speaking countries in the northern and southern hemisphere? These digital resources will help you. There is are several videos and audio recordings with interactive comprehension activities about Christmas in the … Continue reading “Christmas on the Web”
Australia, with its topsy-turvy seasons and love of sport and the great outdoors, is a rich subject for language and cultural learning. Australia Day on 26 January is a great time for some Oz-themed resources. This is a nice easy short video about finding your own way to celebrate Australia Day. From A2. This is … Continue reading “Australia Digital Resources”
Sixty years ago, on 20 December, 1956, Martin Luther King and his fellow campaigners won a first victory in the long battle for African-American civil rights. The Montgomery Bus Boycott, which had begun when Rosa Parks famously refused to move to the back of the bus, finally ended after 381 days, when the Supreme Court … Continue reading “Montgomery Bus Boycott: A Victory for Civil Rights”
A simple video to introduce the topic of the gender pay gap. In France, Equal Pay Day 2016 is being marked on 7 November. In the U.K. it’s the 10th. That’s the day when women effectively stop earning — they work the rest of the calendar year for free. That is of course just a … Continue reading “Equal Pay Day Video”