English International School, Modica

WE'RE IN THE NEWS!

2012-01-26T14:20:00.003+01:00

In November, we were interviewed for an article in the Ragusa Province magazine " Freetime" and the article appears in the December - January edition. Here is the text of the article, with two of the photos:

Catherine [right] and Pat at the school
Photo: Simone Aprile
Reproduced here with kind permission of Simone Aprile

ENGLISH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL: DA MELBOURNE A MODICA

Da Melbourne a Modica per realizzare i suoi sogni. Oggi Catherine Ciancio non è solo una mamma e una moglie ma è anche l’imprenditrice di se stessa e la sua scuola di inglese, a Modica, è la dimostrazione di come la passione per il proprio lavoro e l’attaccamento alla propria cultura possano portare lontano aprendo addirittura nuovi e inediti orizzonti in un percorso disseminato di sfide finora tutte vinte.

di Alessandra Alderisi

foto di Simone Aprile

D: Come nasce il progetto di creare di una English International School a Modica?

R: Sono italo-australiana. Nel 2000 mi sono trasferita a Roma dove ho lavorato come insegnante e assistente didattica. Poi, l’amore mi ha portata qui a Modica. Creare una famiglia era il mio obiettivo principale, ma allo stesso tempo non volevo rinunciare al mio lavoro e alla mia passione per l’insegnamento. Così, nell’aprile del 2003 ho aperto la mia scuola. Affermarsi e mantenere una continuità non sono state sfide facili da affrontare. La città, infatti, non era del tutto pronta a questa nuova forma di istruzione che prevede non solo il recupero e l’aiuto scolastico, ma l’inizio di un vero e proprio percorso di apprendimento della lingua inglese attraverso corsi studiati in base alle esigenze di ogni singolo studente. La crescita è stata lenta ma tangibile. La tenacia e la pazienza, due fattori premianti.

D: A chi sono rivolti i vostri corsi e che certificazioni permettono di conseguire?

R: I nostri corsi sono rivolti ai bambini dai 5 ai 12 anni, agli adolescenti e agli adulti. Per quanto riguarda i bambini il nostro motto è “English is Fun”. Il nostro metodo di insegnamento si avvale infatti di strumenti comunicativi quali il canto e il gioco che rendono l’apprendimento un divertimento. Gli esami a cui li prepariamo sono il Cambridge Young Learners e i primi livelli del Trinity College London. Dai 12 anni in su è possibile conseguire tutte le altre certificazioni Cambridge (KET, PET, FCE, CAE, IELTS e CPE) che partendo dal livello base e passando per quello intermedio arrivano fino a quello avanzato in grado di equiparare la conoscenza dello studente quasi a quella di un madre-lingua ben istruito. I nostri corsi offrono anche la preparazione per gli esami attinenti a tutti i livelli del Trinity College London, tra cui lo Spoken English for Work (SEW) rivolto a chi utilizza l’inglese nel proprio ambito lavorativo. Quindi, non solo corsi di apprendimento, ma anche di perfezionamento per studenti universitari, insegnanti e professionisti.

D: La vostra aula multimediale è all'avanguardia per quanto riguarda la nostra provincia. Quanto è importante il supporto della tecnologia nell'apprendimento di una lingua straniera?

R: E’ fondamentale e indispensabile, soprattutto per quanto riguarda l’ascolto. Crea un maggiore interesse nello studente, lo rende indipendente e gli offre la possibilità di controllare i progressi conquistati nell’apprendimento. E’ un ottimo strumento per integrare e arricchire tutte le lezioni tenute dall’insegnante. Inoltre è importante ricordare che non si può separare una lingua dalla sua cultura di riferimento e l’uso di internet in classe è funzionale a questo scopo perché permette di reperire in tempo reale notizie e curiosità riguardanti i paesi anglofoni.

Catherine teaching in our new multimedia suite
Photo: Simone Aprile
Reproduced here with kind permission of Simone Aprile

D: Cosa vi distingue da altre scuole di lingue? Quali sono i vostri punti di forza?

R: Io e Patricia, la mia collaboratrice, non siamo solo delle professoresse madre-lingua e abilitate all’insegnamento, ma siamo anche due donne che affrontano il loro lavoro con entusiasmo e passione. Abbiamo infatti creato anche un blog (englishinternationalschoolmodica.blogspot.com) in cui approfondiamo tutte le problematiche riscontrate durante le lezioni e scriviamo articoli, naturalmente in inglese, che trattano tematiche legate al territorio, in modo che i nostri studenti possano integrare i loro studi con qualcosa che possa veramente interessarli e coinvolgerli. Inoltre Patricia offre la sua assistenza a coloro che vogliono cercare lavoro all’estero aiutandoli a stilare la lettera di presentazione e il curriculum e indirizzandoli nella scelta delle aziende alle quali proporre la propria candidatura. L' obiettivo è quello di offrire dei servizi di qualità supportati dalla nostra esperienza e professionalità.

D: Quali i vostri progetti per il futuro?

R: Il primo è quello di trasferirci nella nuova sede che avremo il piacere di inaugurare l’anno prossimo. Sarà una struttura indipendente, con un bel giardino, una scuola in cui si possa realmente respirare il clima e la cultura inglesi: è il mio sogno che si realizza. La possibilità di avere spazi maggiori ci permetterà di ingrandire la nostra aula multimediale con venti postazioni per gli studenti e due per le insegnanti, di realizzare un’area-gioco per facilitare l’apprendimento dei bambini e di organizzare “eventi inglesi” rendendo la nostra scuola anche un luogo di incontro e socializzazione. Il secondo è quello di pubblicare il nostro libro, English Language Tips, in cui Patricia ha raccolto tutti gli errori più frequenti commessi dagli studenti.

Inoltre vorremmo anche creare un giornale, sia cartaceo che online, per il turismo in modo da poter far conoscere Modica, città che ci ha accolte con affetto, agli stranieri.

Infine ci terrei a ricordare che, per la nostra Regione, grazie al Programma Operativo del Fondo Sociale Europeo sono stati stanziati, fino al 2014, 5 milioni di euro per l'attribuzione di voucher individuali finalizzati al conseguimento della certificazione di una lingua straniera. Un incentivo in più e un aiuto concreto per dare a tutti la possibilità non solo di imparare una nuova lingua ma anche di acquisire competenze spendibili nel mondo sociale e del lavoro.

You can see more photos and our newsletter in the magazine!

CHRISTMAS QUIZ 2011

2011-12-14T22:40:00.001+01:00

Can you do our Christmas quiz?

You will find the answers at the end of the post.

1. The period of religious preparation for Christmas [in 2011, from 27th November - 24th December] is called - - - - - - .

2. According to a famous song, what did my true love send to me on the third day of Christmas?

3. In the UK, during Christmas lunch, people pull - - - - - - - - which have little gifts inside.

4. A Christmas play is called a - - - - - - - - play.

5. We put up Christmas - - - - - - - - - - - in our homes.

6. Every year the Queen makes a - - - - - - on Christmas Day.

7. In the UK and USA people often eat - - - - - - - - - sauce with their roast turkey on Christmas Day.

8. Father Christmas or Santa Claus enters houses by coming down the - - - - - - - .

9. Every year an enormous Christmas tree from Norway is set up in - - - - - - - - - Square in London.

Image: Wikipedia

10. We usually put a - - - - - or a - - - - on the top of our Christmas tree.

11. Ebenezer Scrooge is a character in which novel about Christmas?

Image: Wikipedia

12. Dylan - - - - - - wrote A Child's Christmas in Wales.

13. " 'Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents,' grumbled Jo, lying on the rug" is the opening line of which famous children's novel?

14. The song White Christmas comes from which Hollywood musical?

15. Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way,

Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open - - - - - - .

For the answers, highlight the space below:

1. Advent 2. three French hens 3. crackers 4. nativity 5. decorations 6. speech 7. cranberry 8. chimney 9. Trafalgar 10 .fairy / star 11 .A Christmas Carol 12. Thomas 13. Little Women 14 . Holiday Inn 15. sleigh

Twelve Days of Christmas

Bing Crosby and Marjorie Reynolds - White Christmas from Holiday Inn

Jingle Bells

A MODICAN OPERA STAR

2011-11-25T12:57:00.000+01:00

Adriana Iozzia as Pamina in Béziers, France - August 2011

Did you know that we have an opera star in Modica? She is 25-year-old Adriana Iozzia and she has recently sung the role of Pamina in The Magic Flute in Béziers, France. These performances were a great success and soon Adriana is going to sing the role of Donna Anna in Don Giovanni in Macedonia. She will also be the cover singer for the role of Mimi in La Bohème at the Teatro Carlo Felice in Genoa [Genova].

We are sure that you will join us in congratulating Adriana and in wishing her every success in the future.

In 2010 Pat interviewed Adriana for Italy Magazine and you can read the interview here.

STIR-UP SUNDAY

2011-11-24T16:09:00.000+01:00

Last Sunday was Stir-Up Sunday. This falls on the last Sunday before Advent and the name comes from some words in a prayer which is read on that day. In the prayer, people ask God to "stir up" or encourage them to do good things. As "stir" also means "mix", people began to associate this Sunday with the task of making Christmas pudding as it has to be stirred a lot and should be made several weeks before Christmas.

Traditionally, every person in the family stirs the pudding and makes a wish while they do so.

Image: FreeFoto.com

But most people buy their Christmas puddings these days.

CHOCOBAROCCO FESTIVAL IN MODICA

2011-11-01T19:56:00.001+01:00

If you couldn't come to Modica for the 2011 Chocobarocco Festival, don't worry - come on this tour with us!

But first here is an image of another journey, that of chocolate to Modica in the sixteenth century. The tradition of chocolate making arrived here with the Spaniards and they, of course, had learned their techniques in Mexico. The Aztec method of chocolate making, which uses no dairy products, is still observed in Modica.

Are you ready? Hold on to your hat! Like our publicity on the train?

As you tour the exhibits, you will see chocolate worked into all sorts of shapes and forms:

Fancy a new caffetiera?

The chocolate computer mice proved more popular with children than the skeletons!

Want to update your winter wardrobe? How about a chocolate shoe?

Or maybe a rose for your love?

Modican chocolate experts were joined by colleagues from other towns with a chocolate making tradition, such as Perugia:

Anna from Modica shows us a white chocolate creation:

Antique implements for working chocolate were on display:

Moulds like these are still in use.

One of the festival's main attractions has been this water-powered clock, inspired by the clock on Modica's Norman castle and made by local craftsman Enzo Terranova. The clock, made of iron and steel, is 1.5 metres high and 600 litres of water, in a container below it, power it by means of a hidden electric motor, which takes the water up.

There was chocolate-inspired art to enjoy:

This map is made of foil chocolate containers.

And there were chocolate pizze of all flavours:

There was certainly something for everybody at Chocobarocco. We hope you have enjoyed this tour. Come travelling with us again soon!

This article is cross-posted at Sicily Scene.

WE'RE READY FOR HALLOWEEN!

2011-10-31T15:02:00.000+01:00

Halloween or Hallowe'en is a contraction of the words All Hallows' Even, meaning the evening before All Souls' Day [Tutti i Santi].

Halloween is not a holiday in the UK but people carve pumpkins, dress up as witches, wizards or ghosts and play "trick or treat" in the evening.

We are ready at the English International School, Modica!

Decorations in reception

This little witch is guarding the Welsh flag!

Decorations in the group room

Decorations in our new, multimedia suite

Don't worry - Cathy is a very kind witch!

Happy Halloween, everybody!

LANGUAGE TESTS FOR EU DOCTORS IN UK

2011-10-24T00:27:00.000+02:00

Per poter lavorare in Gran Bretagna i medici, anche provenienti dagli altri Stati dell'Unione europea, dovranno dimostrare un'ottima conoscenza della lingua inglese. Il governo britannico sta preparando una nuova legge.

At this year's Conservative Party Conference the British Minister of Health, Andrew Lansley, announced a new law which will introduce English language tests for all foreign doctors who wish to work in Britain. Until now the language test rule has not applied to doctors coming from other EU countries. The new proposal follows a high-profile case in which a patient died after a German doctor overprescribed a painkiller.

Mr Lansley said,

"I am determined that doctors who come from overseas to work here must not only have the right qualifications, but also the language skills needed to practise here."

You can read more about the proposed new measures here.

AUTUMN WORDSEARCH

2011-10-17T14:51:00.004+02:00

Can you do our autumn wordsearch puzzle?

myspace layout

AUTUMN WORDSEARCH

Y Z Y N K W H T O A Z D P R N

Y E P O W S S H S B K O E I O

B O K J N C A A E P P K K U P

R L U R N W U N U P N P E V F

T E L S U I Q K Y O M O B A H

U Y B A Y T S S C U Z G W H H

N E L M F S C G P A Y K G A A

T J M W E Q D I F A E L L R P

S X Q O V V O V O S P L B V P

E W I T C H O I F C O T L E L

H S T N I A S N B W T L E S E

C A Q Z F V P G E R A O J T Y

R E B M E T P E S T O Q B K U

I R Q K B O N F I R E O Q E G

C P A N Q T J D B X A I M F R

ALL

APPLE

BONFIRE

BROOM

CHESTNUT

CONKER

FALL

FAWKES

GUY

HALLOWEEN

HARVEST

LEAF

NOVEMBER

OCTOBER

POPPY

PUMPKIN

SAINTS

SEPTEMBER

SQUASH

THANKSGIVING

TURKEY

WITCH

Notes:

All Saints - festa di Tutti i Santi.

Conker - "Conkers" is a game which British children play with the fruit of the horse chestnut tree in autumn. You can read more about it here.

Fall - an American word for autumn.

Guy Fawkes - read all about Guy Fawkes here.

Harvest - gathering a crop and the result of this [raccolta].

Poppy - find out why people in Britain wear poppies on their clothes in November here.

Thanksgiving - read about this American festival here.

Squash - the generic term for the family of fruits which includes pumpkins and courgettes [zucchini].

pimp myspace profile

WELCOME BACK - BENTORNATI!

2011-09-04T18:03:00.001+02:00

Siamo pronti con un nuovo logo

e stanze rinnovate

incluso sala multimediale.

Siamo aperti per le iscrizioni

e non vediamo l'ora

di rivedervi tutti e di accogliere i nuovi studenti.

We are back

with a brand new logo

and revamped rooms

including a multimedia suite.

We are open for enrolments

and look forward to seeing you all again

and to welcoming new students.

See you soon - a presto!

SUMMER WORD SEARCH

2011-06-16T13:32:00.007+02:00

Try our summer word search!

myspace backgrounds

G T S X E Y C B S B E Y M L P
I N W U W M A R U E A D O L P
Y N I X N R U C E D A B U E I
L A M E B B K T I A E E N H C
U T C E E E A L S A M D T S N
J N C S T S O T C O E I A D I
I U Z Y K H T H H L C S I G C
E S K N U R T H T E H Y N N C
S S E R D N U S G D O R A I R
A U G U S T A T L I T T L H I
R E L A X C X F U E S N O T C
T S A N D A L S D W W U X A K
L A W N W I M B L E D O N B E
E D A P S E N U J M C C T S T
I S I G K D S F Q K G U O B G
AUGUST
BARBECUE
BATHING
BEACH
BUCKET
COSTUME
COUNTRYSIDE
CRICKET
HOLIDAY
HOT
ICE CREAM
JULY
JUNE
LAWN
MOUNTAIN 
PICNIC
RELAX
SANDALS
SANDCASTLE
SEA
SHELL
SIGHTSEEING
SPADE
SUNBATHE
SUNDRESS
SUNTAN
SWIM
TOWEL
TRUNKS
WIMBLEDON*

*Wimbledon - the oldest tennis tournament in the world, held every summer in Wimbledon, London.
 
Have a fantastic summer, everyone!

MAY QUIZ

2011-05-23T14:43:00.001+02:00

Try our May quiz! You will find the answers at the end of the post.

1. The 1st May is known as May - - - .

2. People born in May have the - - - - - - - as their birthstone.

3. The ship which transported the Pilgrim Fathers from Plymouth, England to Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA in 1620 was called the - - - - - - - - - .

4. On May 16th 1929 Douglas Fairbanks presented the first Academy Awards or
- - - - - ceremony in Hollywood.

5. L. Frank Baum, author of The Wonderful Wizard of - - , was born on 15th May 1856.

6. President John Fitzgerald - - - - - - - was born on 29th May 1917.

7. The Golden - - - - Bridge in San Francisco, USA was opened on 27th May 1937.

8. A - - - - - - - is a tall, wooden pole decorated with ribbons and garlands. People traditionally dance around it in spring in Northern Europe.

Image: Barwick-in-Elmet Maypole Trust

9. Margaret - - - - - - - - became Britain's first woman Prime Minister on 4th May 1979.

10. On 1st May 1707 the Act of - - - - - passed by the Parliament of Scotland joined the Kingdoms of England and Scotland as Great Britain. [The Parliament of England had passed a similar Act in 1706.]

11. On 31st May 1669 the diarist Samuel - - - - - wrote the last entry in his famous diary.

12. On 8th May 1994 the Channel - - - - - - , a transport link between Britain and France, was officially opened.

13. The drink Coca - - - - was first sold on 8th May 1886.

14. The word - - - - - - is an internationally used distress signal. It is a corruption of French m'aidez.

15. The May - - - - - are dances held at the University of Cambridge at the end of the academic year.

Cambridge University crest

To see the answers, highlight the space below:
1. Day 2. emerald 3. Mayflower 4. Oscar 5. Oz 6. Kennedy 7. Gate 8. Maypole 9. Thatcher 10. Union 11. Pepys 12. Tunnel 13. Cola 14. Mayday 15. balls.

WHAT TO SAY AT THE HAIRDRESSER'S

2011-05-22T20:03:00.000+02:00

If you are going to an English-speaking country on holiday, you may like to know what to say at the hairdresser's. Here is our guide:

Vocabulary – Vocabolario

hair [sostantivo singolare] - capelli

cut – taglio

style - acconciatura

blowdry – piega

colour – colore

blond – biondo

red – rosso

dark – bruno

chestnut-brown – castagno

grey - grigio

short – corto

long – lungo

fringe – frangia

full – pieno

soft – morbido

curly – riccio

straight - liscio

perm – permanente

shampoo – shampoo

treatment – maschera

highlights – lucidini

lowlights - meschs

straightener – piastra

scissors – forbici

backwash – lavandino [di parrucchiere]

hairdryer – fono

lacquer – spray

manicure - manicure

What to say at the hairdresser’s – Cosa dire dal parrucchiere

I’d like to make an appointment, please – vorrei prendere un appuntamento

Monday – lunedì

Tuesday – martedì

Wednesday – mercoledì

Thursday – giovedì

Friday – venerdì

Saturday – sabato

at eleven o’clock – alle 11.00

at half past eleven – alle 11.30

at quarter to eleven – alle 10.45

at quarter past eleven – alle 11.15

How much does it cost for …. ? - Quanto costa per …. ? [vedere la scheda di vocabulario]

How do you like your hair? – Come li asciughiamo?

Not too short – non troppo corti

Can you just trim the ends? – Può tagliare solo i punti?

With the fringe to the right / to the left - con la frangia a destra / a sinistra

With the ends going under / up – con le punte sotto / insù

Can you do a comb-out, please? – Può fare la pettinata, per favore?

Thank you - grazie

HAIRDRESSING WORDSEARCH

S D R M R V G B J R F S S R K

Q H X E B E L H Y Y V C T U R

G M O L S O U R Z Z Z I H O A

H N O R W S A Q T O A S G L D

D N O D T O E N C U O S I O A

D N R L M H E R T A C O L C V

O Y Z K Y M A E D E L R H E X

R E N E T H G I A R T S G C J

E R I A H T W V R I I N I U A

V S E K S I W B P D I A H R M

I R O O P M A H S R R F H L Q

T S T Y L E W O F S I Y X Y Q

Z U X E H I K B I C Q Z E C I

C H H W L O W L I G H T S R O

O V E W Z T C H I H E I W B U

BLOND

BLOWDRY

COLOUR

CURLY

CUT

DARK

FRINGE

HAIR

HAIRDRESSER

HAIRDRYER

HIGHLIGHTS

LACQUER

LONG

LOWLIGHTS

SCISSORS

SHAMPOO

SHORT

STRAIGHTENER

STYLE

TREATMENT

ROYAL WEDDING WORD SEARCH

2011-04-26T13:00:00.002+02:00

Looking forward to April 29th? Try our Royal Wedding word search!

ROYAL WEDDING WORD SEARCH

M A N B G W T W Y A S E E D C

P X H E U E H V I S B C V A I

O M B S E S S O E L A B T A B

H R A T S T M N N L L H E R W

S E G H T M T R A E E I I Y B

I C N E G I I P O R Y D A F A

B E I C W N C E I F E M L M L

H P D N G S I N G S I Y O I C

C T D I C T E K M A P N E O O

R I E R C E K A C A I V U U N

A O W P W R I I S U G R G E Y

H N B R I D E T L L B R R W N

N O I T A T I V N I L V O A G

N P R O C E S S I O N E P O C

O M S S E C N I R P S R B W M

ABBEY

ARCHBISHOP

BALCONY

BELLS

BEST

BRIDE

BRIDESMAID

BUCKINGHAM

CAKE

CARRIAGE

CATHERINE

FLYPAST

GROOM

GUEST

HONEYMOON

INVITATION

MAN

PALACE

PRINCE

PRINCESS

PROCESSION

RECEPTION

RING

UNIFORM

VEIL

WAVE

WEDDING

WESTMINSTER

WILLIAM

WITNESS

Notes:

Bride - the woman who is getting married [la sposa].

Groom or bridegroom - the man who is getting married [lo sposo].

Bridesmaid - a girl or young, unmarried woman who helps the bride [la damigella d'onore].

Best man - the groom's best friend or brother, who helps the groom on the day. He has to look after the ring and make a speech at the reception.

Witness - il testimone.
Flypast - a ceremonial flight of aircraft of the Royal Air Force.

20 BRITISH WILLIAMS

2011-04-26T00:07:00.004+02:00

Do you know about these famous British men who all have or had the first name William? Try the quiz! The answers can be found at the bottom of the post:

1. The Prince who is getting married on 29th April 2011 is Prince William of
- - - - - .

2. William - - - - - - - - - - - [1564 - 1616], dramatist and poet.

3. The current British Foreign Secretary is William - - - - - .

4. William - - - - the Elder and his son William - - - - the Younger were both Prime Ministers of Great Britain.

5. William - - - - - is the schoolboy hero of a series of books by Richmal Crompton.

6. Mel Gibson plays Sir William - - - - - - - in the film Braveheart.

7. William - - - - - - - - - - [1770 - 1850] was one of the Lake Poets and helped to launch the Romantic Age in English literature.

8. William the - - - - - - - - - invaded England in 1066.

9. The last king of Great Britain called William was William - - [ordinal number].

10. William - - - - - - - , author of Lord of the Flies.

11. William - - - - - - - - - [1809 - 1898] was Prime Minister four times.

12. Will - - - - - , singer who won the first Pop Idol contest in 2002.

Image: Neil Whitehouse Piper via Wikimedia Commons

13. World Cup - - - - - - , mascot of the 1966 World Cup.

14. William Makepeace - - - - - - - - - , author of Vanity Fair.

15. William - - - - - - , [1834 - 1896], textile designer and artist associated with the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.

16. William - - - - - - - - - - [1825 - 1902] is generally regarded as the worst British poet ever!

17. Billy Bones or Captain William Bones is a character in the novel Treasure
- - - - - - .

18. William - - - - - - - - - - - [1759 - 1833] was a leader of the movement against slavery.

19. King William 111 was also known as William of - - - - - - .

20. William - - - - - [1757 - 1827], poet, painter and printmaker who helped develop the poetry and visual arts of the Romantic Age.

Highlight the space below to see the answers:
1. Wales 2. Shakespeare 3. Hague 4. Pitt 5. Brown 6. Wallace 7. Wordsworth 8. Conqueror 9. 1V 10. Golding 11. Gladstone 12. Young 13. Willie 14. Thackeray 15. Morris 16. McGonagall 17. Island 18. Wilberforce 19. Orange 20. Blake

EASTER WORD SEARCH

2011-04-15T12:42:00.001+02:00

Try our Easter word search!

R Y S A N S T T E H D C G R E

E S M P S E B E U H H Y V P L

T V R O R O K N K O C M E Y E

S X R E N I T A C S J R A T T

A C L N W C N O C K A D A O S

E I E A H O L G F G N B P M A

S T W I M A L D G O O D N O P

V V C T T B A F M E D A R A P

B K Q E F I E T A R O C E D L

P I L U T R S X N L R J S L I

S I M N E L I E N I A B N E R

S U N D A Y D D G L B U U V P

E V O D R R L G A Y B N B C A

H O T G A Z E W W Y I N F P Z

E Q J G M E G D Q N T Y Z U I

APRIL

BASKET

BONNET

BUNNY

BUNS

CAKE

CHICK

CHOCOLATE

CROSS

DECORATE

DOVE

DYE

EASTER

EGG

FLOWERS

FRIDAY

GARDEN

GOOD

HOT

HUNT

LAMB

LILY

MARCH

MONDAY

PARADE

PASTEL

RABBIT

SIMNEL

SPRING

SUNDAY

TULIP

Notes:

Good Friday - venerdì santo

Easter Sunday - la domenica di Pasqua

Easter Monday - pasquetta

Easter egg hunt - in many English-speaking countries, parents hide chocolate Easter eggs in the garden and the children have to hunt, or look for, them.

Easter parade - The most famous Easter parade takes place on Easter Sunday in New York. People stroll in new and fashionable clothing and women wear new hats called Easter bonnets. Easter Parade is also the title of a famous 1948 film starring Judy Garland and Fred Astaire.

Hot cross buns - little cakes with the shape of a cross on the top.

Hot cross buns
Image: Wikimedia Commons

Simnel cake - a cake made in Britain at Easter.

Simnel cake
Image: Wikimedia Commons

Dove - colomba.

APRIL QUIZ

2011-04-06T01:51:00.003+02:00

Spring is here and so is our April quiz! You'll find the answers at the bottom of the quiz.

1. April 1st is also known as April - - - - - Day.

2. April - - - - - - - are short periods of rain.

3. Oh, to be in England
Now that April's there

are lines from a famous poem by Robert - - - - - - - - .

4. People who were born in April have the - - - - - - - as their birthstone.

Image: Courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey

5. Kate Middleton will become Princess Catherine of - - - - - when she marries Prince William on 29th April this year.

Image: Wikimedia Commons

6. St. George, patron saint of England, Modica and Ragusa in Sicily, Malta, Gozo and many other places around the world, has his feast day on which date in April?

7. What is the English acronym for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, established on 4th April 1949?

8. Which English king died on 21st April 1509?

Image: Wikimedia Commons

9. Sir Winston - - - - - - - - - became an honorary citizen of the United States Of America on 9th April 1963.

Image: Wikimedia Commons

10. Mary Wollstonecraft, author of A Vindication of the Rights of - - - - - , was born on 27th April 1759. Her daughter was Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein.

11. On 12th April 1606 Britain adopted the Union - - - - as her flag.

12. On 15th April 1912 a ship called the RMS - - - - - - - hit an iceberg and sank.

Image: WIkipedia

Highlight the space below to see the answers:
1. Fools' 2. showers 3. Browning. The poem is called Home Thoughts, from Abroad. 4. diamond 5. Wales 6. 23rd April 7. NATO 8. Henry V11 [the first Tudor monarch] 9. Churchill 10. Women 11. Jack 12. Titanic.

THE CUCKOO

2011-04-05T13:49:00.000+02:00

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Here is a traditional poem about another bird, the cuckoo [cuculo in Italian]:

The cuckoo comes in April,

and stays the month of May,

Then in June she changes tune,

In July she flies away.

To change your tune has become an idiom, meaning "to change your opinion completely".

In 1965 the singer and composer Paul Simon wrote a song inspired by this poem:

Paul Simon - April, Come She Will

Every year in Britain people write letters to the Times newspaper to tell other readers that they think they have heard the first cuckoo of spring.

MARCH WIND

2011-03-22T23:29:00.001+01:00

March can be a windy month in Britain! Do you know this British nursery rhyme?

The March wind doth* blow
and we shall have snow
and what will the robin do then, poor thing?
He'll sit in the barn
to keep himself warm
and hide his head under his wing, poor thing.

*doth - an archaic form of "does".

Image: Diamonddavej at en.wikipedia

In some versions of the poem, the word "north" replaces the word "March".

WELSHCAKES

2011-03-04T21:57:00.000+01:00

All enjoyed Welshcakes at the school for St David's Day on Tuesday.

ST DAVID'S DAY WORDSEARCH

2011-03-01T14:34:00.000+01:00

Caerphilly Castle, Wales

Wales

Wordsearch

Pat Eggleton

A wordsearch about

Wales

for St David's Day!

Welsh
love spoon
Cardiff
dragon
Swansea
castle
Harlech
male voice choir
music
Celtic
Eisteddfod
Assembly
Welshcakes
bara brith
coal mine
Carmarthen
daffodil
leek
harp
St David

HAPPY ST DAVID'S DAY!

2011-03-01T14:09:00.000+01:00

March 1st is St David's Day and Saint David is the patron saint of Wales. In Wales on this day people wear daffodils on their lapels, make cakes called Welshcakes and generally celebrate. Competitions called Eisteddfods, of music and poetry, are held in schools in Wales and in the evening there are concerts across the country.

FEBRUARY WORDSEARCH

2011-02-05T20:45:00.000+01:00

myspace glitters

All these words are connected with the month of February, except Shrove Tuesday [the day after Ash Wednesday] which falls in March in 2011.

O	S	E	K	A	C	N	A	P	D	A
S	A	N	G	R	S	O	A	R	W	B
S	I	I	E	A	N	H	A	O	O	L
A	N	T	C	C	I	C	R	P	R	A
H	T	N	E	E	T	R	U	O	F	I
T	U	E	S	D	A	Y	R	S	V	S
E	R	L	A	V	I	N	R	A	C	E
S	R	A	E	Y	P	A	E	L	M	R
O	N	V	E	C	U	P	I	D	D	C
R	O	O	V	H	R	T	V	E	O	Y
L	E	C	W	A	K	C	O	L	D	O

Shrove
marriage
carnival
proposal
Tuesday
pancake
saint
Blaise
race
Valentine
card
heart
cold
snow
love
rose
Cupid
arrow
fourteenth
leap year

THE BLESSING OF THE THROATS

2011-02-01T22:24:00.000+01:00

Every year on Saint Blaise's Day, 3rd February, an event called The Blessing of the Throats is held at St Etheldreda's Church in Ely Place, London. During the service people ask for the help of St Blaise [San Biagio] in the treatment of patients with throat problems.

St Blaise was a doctor and bishop who lived in Sebastea, Armenia [now Sivas in Turkey] in the fourth century and in the year 316, whilst being taken to prison for being a Christian, he saved a child who had a fish bone stuck in his throat.

St Etheldreda is the patron saint of people with throat problems and St Etheldreda's Church is the second oldest Catholic church in England.

Image: http://www.stetheldreda.com/home.html

JANUARY QUIZ

2011-01-20T17:17:00.000+01:00

A new year and a new quiz for you to try! You will find the answers at the bottom of the post.

1. Which Scottish poet is commemorated on 25th January?

2. Complete this rhyme:
Thirty days - - - - September,
April, June and November.

3. In the USA, - - - - - - Luther - - - - , Jr Day falls on or around January 15th.

4. Twelfth Night is a play by William - - - - - - - - - - - .

5. January is named after - - - - -, the god of the doorway.

6. Australia Day celebrates the raising of the Union Jack at Sydney Cove on 26th January - - - - [year].

7. Which English king was beheaded on 30th January 1649?

8. The "king of rock 'n' roll" was born on 8th January 1935. What was his name?

9. On 13th January 1205 the River - - - - - - in London froze over completely. Wine turned to ice and was sold by weight.

10. The first US presidential election was held on 7th January - - - - [year].

11. People born in January have the - - - - - - as their birthstone.

12. Charing - - - - - Station in London opened on 11th January 1864.

Highlight the space below for answers:

1. Robert Burns 2. hath 3. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 4. Shakespeare 5. Janus 6. 1788 7. Charles I 8. Elvis Presley 9. Thames 10. 1789 11. garnet 12. Cross.

DAYS IN MONTHS RHYME

2011-01-18T22:46:00.000+01:00

Do you know this very old, English rhyme about the number of days in each month?

Thirty days hath September,

April, June, and November;

All the rest have thirty-one,

Save February, with twenty-eight days clear,

And twenty-nine in each leap year.

"Hath" is an archaic form of "has".

A leap year comes every four years and contains an extra day which is February 29th. According to tradition, a woman can propose marriage to a man on this day. This tradition may have begun in Ireland. The next leap year is 2012.

COLLECTIVE NOUNS IN ENGLISH

2011-01-13T14:14:00.000+01:00

A gaggle of geese

myspace layouts

English has hundreds of collective nouns or special words for groups of people, animals or things. These are fun to learn but some of them are archaic, so check with a teacher before using them.

Do you know the words for these groups?

1. A group of employees
2. A group of actors
3. A group of dancers
4. A group of experts, especially on a quiz show
5. A group of soldiers
6. A group of company directors
7. A group of mountains
8. A group of puppies or kittens, born together
9. A group of lions
10. A group of sheep

Highlight the space below for answers:
1. staff 2. company 3. troupe 4. panel 5. army 6. board 7. range 8. litter 9. pride 10. flock

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2011-01-03T14:01:00.000+01:00

The song, Auld Lang Syne, with words by the Scottish poet, Robert Burns, is traditionally sung in Britain at New Year. The words are in Scottish dialect and mean that we should remember times gone by and old friends during this season.

Here politicians of all parties in the Scottish Parliament join hands to sing Auld Lang Syne:

These are the words of the first verse and chorus:

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind ?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and auld lang syne ?

CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

CAROLS FROM KING'S

2010-12-25T16:30:00.000+01:00

This carol traditionally opens the Christmas Eve Carol Service at King's College, Cambridge:

Merry Christmas, everybody!

THE QUEEN'S CHRISTMAS BROADCAST, 2010

2010-12-25T16:25:00.001+01:00

SOME ANGLO-SAXON TASTES

2010-12-25T16:21:00.000+01:00

Mince pies, mini Christmas puddings and chocolate fancies for students at the school on Thursday:

Then Cathy decided to introduce them to Vegemite:

We hope you all had a good time!

CHRISTMAS WINDOWS AT HARRODS, LONDON

2010-12-20T14:24:00.001+01:00

CHRISTMAS WINDOWS IN MELBOURNE

2010-12-20T12:10:00.000+01:00

This is how stores decorate their Christmas windows in Australia!

CHRISTMAS IS COMING

2010-12-15T18:17:00.000+01:00

Here is an old English song:

Christmas is Coming

Christmas Is Coming

Christmas is coming,
The goose is getting fat,
Please put a penny
In the old man's hat.
If you haven't got a penny,
A ha'penny will do,
If you haven't got a ha'penny,
Then God bless you.

CHRISTMAS QUIZ 2010

2010-12-09T23:52:00.000+01:00

CHRISTMAS QUIZ 2010

You will find the answers at the bottom of this post.

1. What name do we give to the 24th December?

2. What name do we give to the 25th December?

3. And the 26th December?

4. A Christmas religious song is a Christmas - - - - -.

5. The answer to question 4 is the title of a famous book by Charles - - - - - - -.

6. In Britain, Australia, the USA and many other Anglophone countries people often eat roast - - - - - - on Christmas Day.

7. After the meat course people eat a dessert called Christmas - - - - - - - .

8. We send Christmas - - - - - to all our friends, neighbours and relatives.

9. Mince - - - - are traditional Christmas sweet pastries.

Image: Wikimedia Commons

10. At 3 pm on Christmas Day the - - - - - speaks to the British nation and Commonwealth.

11. What name do we give to the 31st December?

12. What name is given to the 31st December in Scotland?

13. What name do we give to the 1st January?

14. According to a famous song, "On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me a - - - - - - - - - in a pear tree."

15. King's College in - - - - - - - - -, UK, hosts a famous Carol Service on Christmas Eve. [Learn more here.]

Image: Andrew Dunn

Quiz answers

1. Christmas Eve 2. Christmas Day 3. Boxing Day 4. carol 5. Dickens 6. turkey 7. pudding 8. cards 9. pies 10. Queen 11. New Year's Eve 12. Hogmanay 13. New Year's Day 14. partridge 15. Cambridge.

Banner by:

The Christmas Corner
Animated Christmas Graphics

A -Z ENGLISH LANGUAGE TIPS

2010-12-07T12:56:00.000+01:00

A - Z

ENGLISH LANGUAGE TIPS

Come evitare gli errori più comuni nell'uso della lingua inglese

This publication, based on our years of experience of the most frequent errors made by Italian students of English, is now available to callers at the school for €10.00.

It is available by mail at €10.00 plus postage and packing.

Below is a sample page:

F
1.
Fun is a noun and means enjoyment.
They’re having fun.

Image: http://free-clipart.net

Funny is an adjective and refers to a person or thing that makes you laugh.
He’s funny.

Image: http://free-clipart.net

2.

A farm is una fattoria.
A factory is una fabbrica.

G
Great usually means “fantastic” these days. It does not usually mean “big”. But you can say a great man to mean a man who has achieved a lot.
Churchill was a great man.

Image: Wikipedia

Order your A - Z ENGLISH LANGUAGE TIPS today!

english_int.school@virgilio.it

CHRISTMAS VOCABULARY

2010-12-06T15:02:00.000+01:00

Christmas is coming so here are some Christmas words for you to learn:

angel

Father Christmas / Santa Claus

reindeer

snowy chimney

bells

candles

Christmas shopping

Christmas presents

Christmas tree

bauble

candy canes

holly

mistletoe

Image: http://clipart.edigg.com/

kissing under the mistletoe

singing Christmas carols

Christmas crackers

Image: Wikipedia

star

sleigh

Christmas cake

Image: Wikipedia

Christmas pudding

Image: Wikipedia

Image: http://www.christmas-graphics-plus.com

Unless otherwise attributed, images for this post are from free-clipart.net

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

2010-11-25T12:48:00.000+01:00

Today is Thanksgiving Day in the United States and it is a public holiday. People give thanks for the harvest and traditionally eat turkey and pumpkin pie. [Pumpkin = zucca.] In the USA Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November whilst in Canada it is celebrated on the second Monday in October.

Happy Thanksgiving to all our American friends!

Pumpkin pie
Image: Wikimedia Commons

You can see a list of types of pie here.

ARMISTICE DAY

2010-11-11T14:38:00.000+01:00

At 11 am on the eleventh day of the eleventh month, 1918, the guns fell silent along the Western Front and World War 1 ended. Therefore this day is called "Armistice Day" or "Remembrance Day" in Britain, France, Commonwealth countries and other allied nations.

In Britain people wear poppies on their lapels as so many soldiers died in the poppy fields of Flanders [Belgium] during World War 1. On this day and on Remembrance Sunday, the nearest Sunday to November 11th, we remember soldiers who lost their lives in all wars and at 11 am the country observes a two-minute silence.

On Remembrance Sunday the Queen lays a wreath of poppies on behalf of the nation at the Cenotaph [war memorial] in Whitehall, London. The Duke of Edinburgh, the royal princes, the Prime minister, the leader of the Opposition and other politicians also lay wreaths, as do the High Commissioners of Commonwealth countries. Afterwards there is a march past of war veterans' associations and the associations which help soldiers' families. The event is organised by the Royal British Legion.

The money raised by the sale of paper poppies in Britain is used by the Royal British Legion to help wounded soldiers, their families and the families of soldiers who have died.

This year the Royal British Legion has launched a video on iTunes.

REMEMBER, REMEMBER

2010-11-05T12:59:00.000+01:00

Guy Fawkes

The 5th November is not a holiday in the UK but it is the day of an important celebration known as Guy Fawkes Night or Bonfire Night.

In 1605 a man called Guy Fawkes and other conspirators tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament by placing gunpowder in the cellars. The plot was discovered in time and Guy Fawkes and the other conspirators were tried and put to death.

On Bonfire Night we light bonfires and we have fireworks. We make an effigy of Guy Fawkes and put it on the top of our bonfire to be burned. In the past, in the days leading up to Bonfire Night, children used to display their guy [effigy] in the street and ask people for “a penny for the guy.” This tradition is not practised much now, as people think it is begging and they don’t want the children to try to buy fireworks with the money. [In the UK you are not allowed to buy fireworks if you are under 18.]

It is very cold in the UK in November so when we go outside to watch the fireworks and the bonfires we wrap up warmly and we eat hot food like jacket potatoes, sausages, pumpkin soup, toffee apples and a cake called ginger parkin.

To this day, the Yeomen of the Guard or Beefeaters [soldiers who form the Queen's bodyguard] search the cellars of the Houses of Parliament before the State Opening of Parliament every year in November.

All children learn this rhyme:

Remember, remember the fifth of November,

gunpowder, treason and plot,

I see no reason

why gunpowder treason

should ever be forgot.

Vocabulary
blow up = destroy by explosion
gunpowder = powder which can cause an explosion
cellar = storage space under a building
plot = conspiracy
tried = to have your case heard in a court of law
put to death = executed
bonfire = a big, outdoor fire
days leading up to = the days before
beg = to ask for money in the street
wrap up warmly = to wear warm clothing
search = to try to find something
treason = a plot against the king or queen

UK CULTURE QUIZ FOR NOVEMBER

2010-10-31T21:19:00.000+01:00

1. What event is remembered on 5th November?

2. Why do British people wear poppies on their clothes in November?

3. What State event, usually held in November, involves the Queen and both Houses of Parliament?

4. On the Sunday before Advent a traditional Christmas dish is made in many households. What is the dish and what is the name given to this day?

Image: Wikimedia Commons

5. What traditional show is held in London in November? It is the oldest civic procession in the world.

Highlight the space below for answers:
1. Guy Fawkes Night, when conspirators led by Guy Fawkes tried to blow up Parliament in 1605. 2. To remember the dead of all wars. A ceremony is held in Whitehall, London on the nearest Sunday to Armistice Day, 11th November. On the 11th November itself a two-minute silence is held across the country at 11 am. 3. The State Opening of Parliament. 4. The dish is Christmas Pudding and all members of the family stir the mixture for luck. The day is called "Stir Up Sunday" but the words "Stir up" come from a religious text. 5. The Lord Mayor's Show. This year it will take place on 13th November.

ANOTHER MISTAKE IN THE POSTER

2010-10-31T20:46:00.000+01:00

There is another mistake in the poster about Sicilian puppets. Can you spot it?

It is the definite article "the" before "Sicilian's puppets". "The" here is unnecessary because we are talking about Sicilian puppets in general and we do not know which ones. So the poster should read:

Exhibition of Sicilian Puppets

NEW COURSE - SPOKEN ENGLISH FOR WORK

2010-10-19T00:49:00.000+02:00

As a Trinity Examinations Centre, we are proud to introduce a new set of courses, Spoken English for Work . These courses are open to students aged 16 and above who have already studied general English and are either in or seeking work. There are four levels, taking the student from an elementary to an advanced level of proficiency in using English in the workplace. The examination format allows candidates to specialise in topics such as:

advertising and media

education and training

hospitality and tourism

law and government

marketing and PR

management and administration

Italian information from the Trinity website:

Esami orali per professionisti SEW

Spoken English for Work

Questi esami sono stati costruiti per coloro che utilizzano l'inglese nel proprio ambito lavorativo per comunicare con clienti e fornitori, per gestire negoziazioni o vendite con interlocutori stranieri o che lavorano presso aziende che intendono internazionalizzarsi. Il primo livello di questi esami è adatto a coloro che iniziano a essere autonomi nell'utilizzo della lingua, mentre l'ultimo livello è adatto solo a coloro che hanno una competenza linguistica avanzata. Vi sono inoltre due livelli intermedi. Le abilità valutate sono quelle audio orali e il formato è simile a quello degli esami GESE dal Grade 6 al grade 11, [descritti al punto 3.1], con l'aggiunta di una prova di comprensione telefonica e con contenuti per il colloquio contestualizzati al mondo di lavoro. La categoria dell'argomento presentato dal candidato viene riportata anche sul certificato finale. Non vengono valutati linguaggi tecnici o settoriali, in quanto in genere sono quelli dove gli addetti ai lavori non hanno problemi, ma piuttosto le abiltà di comunicare efficacemente in inglese per presentare un prodotto, negoziare o risolvere un problema, capire e comunicare con un interlocutore al telefono per fissare un appuntamento o gestire un reclamo. I livelli sono 4, corrispondenti ai livelli B1, B2.1, B2.3 e C1 del Quadro Comune Europeo di Riferimento.

TEXT MESSAGING IN ENGLISH

2010-10-19T00:47:00.000+02:00

Here are a few common text [SMS] abbreviations in English:

CU - see you

l8r - later
gr8 - great

KK - OK, cool

2mro - tomorrow

for - 4

b4 - before

LOL - laughing out loud

And, for all you romantic Italians:

143 / ily - I love you

myspace glitters

CU l8r!

MORE MISUSE OF THE POSSESSIVE APOSTROPHE

2010-10-11T23:42:00.000+02:00

Can you spot the mistake in this notice?

Sicilian's puppets is incorrect. Written like this, it means that there is only one Sicilian in the world and he owns all the puppets! The final s is unnecessary as the word Sicilian is an adjective here and adjectives do not agree with nouns in English. There is no need for an apostrophe as the word does not indicate possession.

For a full explanation of the correct use of the possessive apostrophe, see this page.

TIME FOR TEA

2010-10-06T17:51:00.000+02:00

It's always "time for tea" in Britain but what does it mean if someone tells you that something is "just my cup of tea"? It means that they really like it.

Conversely, if someone says "it's not my cup of tea", it means that they do not like the thing very much.

"Getting to Know You"

CULTURE, SLANG AND IDIOMS QUIZ - 2

2010-09-23T16:20:00.000+02:00

Answers are at the bottom of the page.

1. When is Guy Fawkes Night? What do people do on Guy Fawkes Night?
Who was Guy Fawkes?

2. When do we say “Cheers”? [2 possibilities.]

3. Queen V - - - - - - - wore black for nearly 40 years.

4. If I owe money to my bank, I am in the - - - [colour].

5. If something is very easy it’s a piece of - - - - [food].

6. Autumn in British English is - - - - in American English.

7. What are you doing if you give someone a lift?

8. What would you get in a BLT baguette or sandwich?

9. Proverb: Too many cooks spoil the b - - - - .

10. If I am broke I have no - - - - - .

Highlight the space below for answers:

1. 5th November; light bonfires and watch fireworks; a conspirator against King James 1. 2. When we have an alcoholic drink; to say "thank you" in informal situations. 3. Victoria. 4. red 5. cake 6. fall 7. giving the person a ride in your car. 8. Bacon, lettuce and tomato. 9. broth 10. money.

THE POPE'S TARTAN

2010-09-17T01:17:00.000+02:00

The Pope, who is on a four-day visit to Britain, was presented with a special tartan today and he wore it as a scarf during his drive through the streets of Edinburgh in Scotland.

A tartan is a traditional, criss-cross pattern on fabric and it is particularly associated with Scotland. Different regions or districts, and later different families called clans, had their own tartans. The Pope arrived in Scotland on St Ninian's Day so the new tartan is called the Ninian Tartan.

CULTURE, SLANG AND IDIOMS QUIZ!

2010-09-14T23:48:00.000+02:00

Here's a quiz to test your knowledge of British culture, some slang and some idioms. The answers are at the bottom of the page.

1. What is a tenner?

2. Where would you be and when if you were celebrating Hogmanay?

3. When do we make Hot Cross Buns?

4. What would you be doing if you were painting the town red?

5. What colour is an angry look?

6. What is a bobby on the beat?

7. Who is Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor?

8. - - - - - - - - Ireland is part of the UK.

9. - - - - - - - - Ireland is not.

10. What is the national flower of Wales?

11. When and why do people in Britain wear poppies on their clothes?

12. What is the nickname of the British flag?

Highlight the space below for answers:

1. A £10 note 2. In Scotland at New Year. 3. At Easter. 4. Celebrating. 5. black 6. A policeman patrolling his area on foot. 7. The Queen. 8. Northern 9. Southern 10. Daffodil 11. On November 11th and the period around that date. To remember people killed and / or injured in war. 12. The Union Jack.

ALWAYS CHECK THE MEANING

2010-09-08T20:21:00.000+02:00

The Mayor of Ragusa will have caused much confusion among English-speaking visitors this summer: The Mayor declared a "dog free zone" along a 200-metre stretch of the spiaggia degli Americani at the Marina di Ragusa and he meant an area where dogs, provided they were on a leash and muzzled, would be tolerated on the beach.

The trouble is that "dog free zone" means a zone where dogs are not allowed, just as "smoke free zone" means an area where smoking is not tolerated.

Always check the meaning carefully when using a popular English phrase!

QUIZ - WHERE IN BRITAIN?

2010-09-06T23:35:00.000+02:00

This is the first in a "Where in Britain?" quiz series. All you have to do is tell us where in Britain the picture was taken and, in this case, who lived there. We'll tell you the answer in a few days' time.

Highlight the space below if you need a clue:

Clue: Music.

WELCOME

2010-09-02T00:10:00.001+02:00

Hello.

Cathy and Pat here.

Welcome to the new school year and our new blog!

We are enrolling now for the new school year and we hope to see you all soon!

O	S	E	K	A	C	N	A	P	D	A
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A	N	T	C	C	I	C	R	P	R	A
H	T	N	E	E	T	R	U	O	F	I
T	U	E	S	D	A	Y	R	S	V	S
E	R	L	A	V	I	N	R	A	C	E
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O	N	V	E	C	U	P	I	D	D	C
R	O	O	V	H	R	T	V	E	O	Y
L	E	C	W	A	K	C	O	L	D	O

O	S	E	K	A	C	N	A	P	D	A
S	A	N	G	R	S	O	A	R	W	B
S	I	I	E	A	N	H	A	O	O	L
A	N	T	C	C	I	C	R	P	R	A
H	T	N	E	E	T	R	U	O	F	I
T	U	E	S	D	A	Y	R	S	V	S
E	R	L	A	V	I	N	R	A	C	E
S	R	A	E	Y	P	A	E	L	M	R
O	N	V	E	C	U	P	I	D	D	C
R	O	O	V	H	R	T	V	E	O	Y
L	E	C	W	A	K	C	O	L	D	O

O	S	E	K	A	C	N	A	P	D	A
S	A	N	G	R	S	O	A	R	W	B
S	I	I	E	A	N	H	A	O	O	L
A	N	T	C	C	I	C	R	P	R	A
H	T	N	E	E	T	R	U	O	F	I
T	U	E	S	D	A	Y	R	S	V	S
E	R	L	A	V	I	N	R	A	C	E
S	R	A	E	Y	P	A	E	L	M	R
O	N	V	E	C	U	P	I	D	D	C
R	O	O	V	H	R	T	V	E	O	Y
L	E	C	W	A	K	C	O	L	D	O