Reading: Who goes to Oxford University?
Intermediate to advanced level (B1-C2)
This year just over 40% of undergraduate places at Oxford University went to UK students who attended independent schools. In 2005, the figure was 48% and in 1995 it was almost 52%, and if you go back to 1961, it was a little over 65%. Continue reading
Reading: the EU referendum
Intermediate to lower advanced level (B1-C1)
On 23 June this year, a referendum will take place in the UK. The question to be voted on is: “Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?” Continue reading
Reading: the General Election
Intermediate Level (B1/B2)
On Thursday May 7th there will be a General (national) Election in the UK. Nowadays this takes place every five years. The electorate can vote for one candidate in their constituency (local parliamentary area). The winner in each constituency will become the local MP (Member of Parliament). Continue reading
Reading: the British pub
Intermediate to advanced level (B1-C1)
Going to the pub should be on your list of things to experience. The tradition probably goes back to pre-Roman times. Continue reading
Reading: Today is the Scottish referendum
Intermediate level (B1-B2)
People normally living in Scotland (including people from EU countries!) are voting whether or not to be completely independent of the Westminster parliament. Continue reading
Matthew Youlden speaks 9 languages – here are his learning tips
I saw this list in an advertisement for Babbel courses. I think these language learning tips are really useful (edited by me): Continue reading
Vocabulary and culture: 10 useful expressions from Shakespeare
Advanced level (C1-C2)
This week we celebrate Shakespeare’s 450th birthday (historians disagree about the exact day) with 10 Shakespearean sayings or sayings that Shakespeare made better known. Continue reading
Reading: the UK and the EU
Intermediate to lower advanced level (B1-C1)
Before we look at the situation now, here is some history. Britain joined the European Economic Community (now the EU) in 1973. Continue reading
Vocabulary: education
Intermediate to advanced level (B1-C1)
A good exercise (especially for Cambridge FCE) is to think about your own education and how you could describe it. Here is someone’s story:
Reading
Very advanced level (C2)
Yesterday Margaret Thatcher died. Some people were sad but others celebrated her death by opening bottles of Champagne and dancing in the street. However most would probably agree that she was one of the most formidable politicians of the 20th century who changed the economic and political face of Britain. Continue reading
Reading: scones
Intermediate to higher level (B1-C2)
Scones are a fun tea-time British treat.
You can make them in about 30 minutes
and eat with jam and cream.
My recipe (personally tested!) will make about 6 scones.
Reading and video: exercising double-decker bus
Intermediate level (B1-B2)
A Czech artist has taken a classic British double-decker bus and made it do press-ups (you can also say ‘push-ups’) in time for the Olympics! Using hydraulics, huge red arms can lift up the bus. Continue reading
Reading: Politics
Upper intermediate to advanced (B2-C2)
She is certainly well-known, or at least her image is. Her face is on stamps and the UK currency but most of the time she is only seen at royal visits or ceremonies. At the opening of Parliament the Queen reads a speech but this is written by the government. At Christmas she reads a message to the country but this is very formal and usually just a summary of some of the things that have happened in the year. Continue reading
Pronunciation and listening: Word linking
Intermediate and higher level (B1-C2)
In normal conversation it is common for many words to be linked together. This can make listening to English a little difficult at the beginning. You can learn how to link words together. Practising linking English words will improve your listening and speaking. Continue reading
In May each year there are about 500 exhibitions of artists’ work in Oxfordshire. Most of the exhibitions are in the artists’ homes or studios. The kind of artwork ranges from painting and ceramics to furniture and jewellery. Continue reading