Time to celebrate Shakespeare!

Shakespeare's big anniversary is approaching - it's 400 years since his death on 23rd of April. See the video below if you want to understand why he is so beloved by speakers of English around the world. There are many, many reasons, but his use of the language is what makes him THE master.



Try the quiz below to test yourself on a few of the hundreds of English phrases which entered common usage by means of Shakespeare's plays and sonnets:

Suffragette

Here is a trailer for the film I am going to watch with my MA studies groups. Don't watch the trailer if you want to avoid spoilers - as many other trailers these days, it reveals a few important points in the story. With the recent developments around women's rights in Poland, I think this film should be obligatory viewing in schools and universities. Whether you identify yourself as a feminist or not, you must be aware of how hard women had to fight for their rights back then, and how much we take them for granted. If you haven't seen it yet, come and join us on Wednesday 13 April, 11.20 am., room 513A.

"Conversations On Broadway" with David Tennant

Here is a TREAT for you! I think this is the most enjoyable interview I have ever heard, and I HAVE heard a lot! You can hear David Tennant, the star of British TV, film, and theatre, talking to an American host Richard Ridge not only about his first New York performance (in Shakespeare's Richard II) but also about the beginnings of his career, his other projects, his experience of stage fright, his encounters with such big names as Michael Gambon and Maggie Smith (when making one of Harry Potter movies), and many many other topics. At the end, the host host says, "Thank you for one of the best nights, and I've been doing it for a long time!" (I'm afraid you need to let the commercial run before the interview begins.)

IRREGULAR VERBS

Let's be honest - practicing irregular verbs is not very exciting. Yet, you really need to know them through and through, or you will keep struggling with English grammar. There are so many other things to have under control when making English sentences that you need to make these verb form choices practically automatic. 

In order to make practicing a bit less tedious and boring, I am placing a link to a website where you can take a few online quizzes. Have a go to see if your irregular verbs in English are as good as you need them to be. Here it is: Irregular verbs practice.

400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death

This year Britain and theatre lovers around the world are celebrating the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death. The institution that is most strongly connected with the Bard is the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon. Watch the video below to find out how they are going to celebrate the anniversary and how they want to involve the public in their projects.

The second video shows some kids who became involved in the RSC's educational project. Listen to them to see how excited they are about what they did there, and how Shakespeare's work is still very much alive in British culture.

The third clip, which I have just added, is a BBC Radio 4 voice recording of what Shakespearean English really sounded like. Interestingly, the actor is Ben Crystal, our favourite linguist's son. Then David Crystal discusses the differences between present day English and 16th and 17th century English. I'm sure it's worth your 5 minutes' attention :)

Very British problems at Christmas

Here is a video which shows some unique characteristics of Christmas the British way. The  film uses the typically British self-deprecating style, but don't be misled: they are very proud of their traditions and their social awkwardness. I'm sure you will find some of the situations familiar, but others will clearly baffle you. 

Take a look! 

Very British Problems by alexgonzalezactor

Merry Christmas!

Feliz Navidad
"Feliz Navidad" en una guitarra con cinco personas. :) <3
Posted by Spanish with Profe Kemp on 10 Dec 2015