Bella ciao, blogroll

I’ve deleted my old blogroll, which hailed from the heyday of teachers blogging (about 2009-2011). More than half of the blogs linked to were no longer being updated, and many new ones have emerged over the past year or two, some of whom have also in part given up in the meantime. I’ve found it […]

Tag: 11 facts, questions, answers among ELT bloggers

I’ve been  tagged in a Twitter-cum-teacher-blog game, and am happy to play by the rules: Acknowledge the nominating blogger. Share 11 random facts about yourself.  Answer the 11 questions the nominating blogger has created for you.  List 11 bloggers. Post 11 questions for the bloggers you nominate to answer, and let all the bloggers know […]

Our house

Helmut and I have decided to move to the Hufeisensiedlung / Horseshoe Estate in Berlin, a social housing estate designed in 1925-33 by architect Bruno Taut, municipal planning head Martin Wagner, garden architect Leberecht Migge and Neukölln gardens director Ottokar Wagler. It is one of the earliest such estates in Germany, a physical metaphor of […]

Kate Rusby

Musical discovery in Chris’ advent calendar (thank you!). Her Christmas albums Sweet Bells and While Mortals Sleep are taking Helmut and me both back to our roots, which is truly puzzling, because our roots are so very different and nowhere even remotely near South Yorkshire. Perhaps time to take a trip there?

Earth in Progress

Climate scientists on site, investigating lake sediments at Lake Hämelsee for clues of climate change. This is a product of the Earth in Progress project, a cooperation between various disciplines involved in responding effectively to climate events. I’ve had the privilege of providing English communication skills courses to some members of the project. The film […]

Christmastime’s a-comin’: Bluegrass, Ska, Cajun

Bill Monroe sings Christmastime’s A-Comin’ (lyrics below), then Bob Marley sings White Christmas, followed by Harry Fonteneau with a Cajun rendition of Silent Night. by Tex Logan Oh, Christmastime’s a-comin’ Christmastime’s a-comin’ Christmastime’s a-comin’ And I know I’m goin’ home Snow flake’s a-fallin’ My old heart’s a-callin’ Tall pine’s a-hummin’ ‘Cause Christmastime’s a-comin’ Can’t you […]