A language has died

(Photo:Flag  from the Isle of Man)
Tír gan teanga, tír gan anam.
A country without a language is a country without a soul

(Irish proverb)

Not only some animals are in a great danger of becoming extinct, that can happen to languages, too. And in that situation are some of the so called Celtic languages which are seriously endangered in Britain. Cornish is a dead language because its last native speaker (that means, the last person who learned it as his mother tongue) died in the early 19th century. There has been a revival in the use of this language because people from Cornwall have always had a strong feeling of identity, but this effort couldn't help Cornish to be declared extinct by the UNESCO . It is believed that about 3000 people are fluent in the language today.
Manx Gaelic is the name of the language spoken in the Isle of Man, although it is also in a great danger, a revival in the use of the Manx language has taken place, as people are increasingly finding their language as something valuable cultural legacy.

Click here to explore the UNESCO interactive Atlas of the world's languages in danger.

Shrove Tuesday

Did you believe that Galician people were the only ones in the whole world who eat pancakes? you were wrong. Today, Shrove Tuesday, is Pancake Day in Great Britain and Ireland, and everyone eats pancakes before lent time starts tomorrow, Ash Wednesday.
If you don't feel like eating now, you can exercise participating in a Pancake race.

Click to learn about pancake day.

The Guardian brings you some tips to cook the best pancakes in town.
The Great Spitafield Pancake Race in YouTube.
Enjoy your Shrove Tuesday!

How is Kaa's dance?

This is a word scramble game for those of you who are reading the jungle book

More flashcards, word scramble, crosswords, and hangman at StudyStack.com

Do you like it? follow the link and create your own games and flashcard to help you to study.

Becas do MEC

Pincha se queres acceder á convocatoria do MEC para as becas de inmersión linguistica no verán. Aínda hai tempo, podes solicitar distintos idiomas. Sorte.

Carnival

Click to see the photos from Carnival around the world (The Guardian UK)

Carnival is celebrated in different countries all around the world ans you can see in the pictures above. Today I want you to explore the following links on Carnival:
Mardi Gras is the name of Carnival in New Orleans.
Click here to know about Carnival celebrations in Greece.
Learn how they celebrate in Goa (India).
Of course, we haven't forgotten the world famous carnival in Rio de Janeiro.
Have you enjoyed that trip around world carnivals? Here you have some easy questions for you:
-There is a king of Carnival in New Orleans, what's his name?
-How is Carnival called in Greek language?
-Where is Goa? Why do they celebrate Carnival there?
-What's a Samba school? How much do the tickets cost to go to see the Samba parade?

Easy, isn't it? when you have your answers, please send me an email.
Thanks and have a nice Carnival!

The hound of the Bakervilles

Click here for full screen version

This game is to help you with your Baskervilles.

London tube

Those of you who are planning a trip to London will find useful this link where you can download and print your bus or tube map. The tube (that's how Londoners call to the underground)is the best way to move around and it is quick and safe as well. It works from very early in the morning until midnight, after that hour you have night buses or taxis, but the latter is an expensive option. You can buy a single or return ticket but it is always cheaper and easier to buy a travelcard which always charges to you with the lower fares. Now you have your travelcard and you tube map, now you are ready to explore London.

Routemaster

Routemaster is the name of the most famous double-decker bus in London. Although it has been withdrawn from the streets and replaced for newer ones in 2004. For the delight of both tourists and Londoners, it still survives as a classic ("heritage") bus and runs two lines only (9 and 15). Routemaster buses had been working for more than fifty years.

Learn English with the British Museum

 

Some of you will visit London next month, maybe you want to explore the British Museum and see the image above and many more things, you can plan your visit and meanwhile, watch and listen to the movie about the exhibition on Babylon. It is also possible to download the mp4 podcast. Enjoy!