Cannes Film Festival 2012
May 16, 2012 by la-andrea · Leave a Comment
The 65th Cannes Film Festival (Festival de Cannes) runs from 16th – 27th May 2012. Cannes is a glamorous and trendy resort on the Côte d’Azur, France. The annual Cannes Film Festival is a local film festival and one of the biggest and most prestigious showcases of the world’s best film-making.
British School Children Must Learn Languages To Boost UK Economy In The Future
May 11, 2012 by la-andrea · Leave a Comment
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) recently said that it should be compulsory for British school children to learn languages at school right up until they are 16 years old. The need for the next generation of school children to learn languages comes from their concern that the UK is not taking advantage of new markets such as India, China, Russia and Brazil. The lack of people in the UK with the necessary language skills could potentially hinder business with these fast-growing markets.
Happy Europe Day Everyone!
May 9, 2012 by la-andrea · Leave a Comment
Did you know that the 9th May is Europe Day and that this date is celebrated in Europe every year? But, what is Europe Day?
On the 9th May 1950, what is now known as the European Union, was first proposed. In Paris, the French Foreign Minister of the time, Robert Schuman
, put forward the idea for France, Germany and other European countries to work together to put their coal and steel production as a foundation of a possible European federation. This proposal helped to ensure that there has been peace and prosperity across Europe for over 50 years. And so the 9th May is celebrated as the birthday of the European Union and is called Europe Day.
The Psychology Behind Thinking In A Foreign Language
May 2, 2012 by la-andrea · Leave a Comment
A recent study conducted by the University of Chicago, has found that thinking in a foreign language actually helps you to think more clearly in risky situations. It seems that decision making becomes more determined and deliberate when you think in a foreign language, than in your own native language. Psychological experiments were made on 300 people in the USA and in Korea as part of the study.
What Exactly Is May Day?
May 1, 2012 by la-andrea · Leave a Comment
The 1st of May is May Day. There are many traditional May Day celebrations around the world. The first day of May is observed in Canada, United States and in some parts of Western Europe as a celebration of the coming of spring. In the UK, May Day is observed on the first Monday of May (also known as Bank Holiday Monday).
Shakespeare in Shona? The Bard goes Global!
April 24, 2012 by la-hellie · Leave a Comment
As part of the World Shakespeare Festival which was launched on 23 April 2012 (the anniversary of the playwright’s birth), ‘Globe To Globe’ is staging Shakespeare’s 37 plays performed in 37 different languages. The performances are taking place at the Globe Theatre in London, a replica of Shakespeare’s original theatre.
Amongst the shows will be Macbeth performed in Polish, Troilus and Cressida in Maori, Hamlet in Lithuanian and The Two Gentlemen of Verona in Shona. Love’s Labour Lost will be performed in British sign language.
A Celebration Of All That Is English On St George’s Day!
April 23, 2012 by la-andrea · Leave a Comment
St George’s Day falls annually on the 23rd April and is England’s national day, with St George being the patron saint of England, even though he wasn’t even English! St George was a Roman soldier and is infamous for slaying a dragon.
Celebrate Cinco De Mayo
April 20, 2012 by la-andrea · Leave a Comment
The 5th of May or Cinco de Mayo is commemorated every year in the state of Puebla in Mexico. This day commemorates the victory of the Mexican militia against the French Army at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. It is also celebrated in other parts of Mexico and in the USA in areas where there is a large Mexican population. Read more
Help Protect Yourself Against Dementia By Learning A Language
April 9, 2012 by la-andrea · Leave a Comment
Recent studies made by research at York University, Toronto, Canada suggests that learning a language could make you more resilient to developing dementia later in life. Learning a second language not only exercises your brain but also makes it work harder which could potentially make you less likely to get dementia or at the very least, delay the onset of the disease.
Semana Santa, Spain
April 2, 2012 by la-andrea · Leave a Comment
Semana Santa is Holy Week in the Christian year in Spain and is celebrated this year from 1st – 8th April from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday. It is a week of religious activity to celebrate the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Activities include joyful fiestas to solemn processions, with highlights on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Saturday depending on which city or village you’re in. Crosses, lanterns and candles all feature in the processions. But most impressive of all are the massive floats which are truly breathtaking. Some date back as far as the 16th century and need to be carried by literally hundreds of men, often parading barefoot in masked costumes. The floats carry biblical scenes of Christ and the Virgin Mary and are mostly accompanied by trumpets and drums in a solemn but passionate musical treat called the saeta.
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