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Category Archives: Culture
Why the English are being left behind in the world of business
Today’s post is a guest post from my lovely husband, Ian. In my work as a Blue Badge tourist guide, I have the opportunity to meet people from all around the world, from all walks of life. The job also … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, English, Languages
Tagged Blue Badge Guide, business, English, Europe, fluent, french, German, Harry Potter Tours, International language, language learning, languages, Luxembourg
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Deaf Awareness Week – What Can You Do?
Today is the last day of Deaf Awareness Week 2013, so it’s time to look at how you can be more Deaf aware. First of all, to gain the attention of a deaf person, tap them lightly on the shoulder … Continue reading
Deaf Studies in a School for the Deaf
Throughout Foundation Stage (Nursery and Reception aged children are mixed together) children are exposed to both English and BSL. Some of the teachers have English as their first language, and some have BSL as their first language, so the children … Continue reading
Numeracy in a School for the Deaf
From the time I spent observing and teaching in a school for the Deaf, I found that maths lessons were the ones most like lessons in a mainstream school. The main difference is the fact that because class sizes are … Continue reading
Posted in Broad curriculum, BSL / Deaf Awareness, Culture, English, Languages, Maths
Tagged BSL, children, deaf, Deaf Awareness Week, delay, kinaesthetic, language acquisition, maths, numeracy, school for deaf, snappy maths, visual
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Literacy in a School for the Deaf
Lessons are taught in a mixture of English, SSE (Sign Supported English) and BSL (British Sign Language) depending on the subject being taught and the needs of the class. Literacy lessons are very visual. Just like in a mainstream school, … Continue reading
Phonics in a School for the Deaf
As a teacher who has been learning sign language (BSL) for the last few years, I have often wondered how you would teach a deaf child to read. Recently I was lucky enough to find out, when I spent a … Continue reading
International Mother Language Day
Today is International Mother Language Day. On this date in 1952, a group of students were shot because they were demonstrating for their language to be recognised as an official language. The day is now used to promote the importance … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Languages
Tagged books, celebrate, celebration, culture, EAL, home language, IMLD, International Mother Language Day, language, mother tongue
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Apokries, Carnaval and Shrove Tuesday
While teaching a Spanish lesson on the months of the year a few months back, I pinned up a picture of a witch for “octubre”. One of the boys put his hand up and said that he found that confusing … Continue reading
How do they celebrate Christmas in Italy?
In Italy, Christmas celebrations begin 8 days before Christmas day with a period known as the Novena, which is a series of prayers. During this time children dress up as shepherds, and go door to door singing, reciting poems and … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Languages
Tagged celebrate, celebration, Christmas, Father Christmas in Italian., Happy Christmas in Italian, Italy, La Befana, midnight mass, nativity, Novena, presepio, tradition, Urn of Fate
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Who or What is La Befana?
According to Italian traditions, the three wise men knocked on the door of an old witch-lady and asked her for directions to Bethlehem. They told her about the birth of baby Jesus, and asked her to go with them. She … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Languages
Tagged 11th night, 12th night, 5th January, 6th January, broomstick, chimney, Christmas, Christmas presents in Italy, Italy, La Befana, presents, shepherds, stockings, wise men
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