Icons of England

Have you ever wondered why the English drink so much tea? Why are they so keen on queuing? Why do they talk so much about the weather? There are certain icons that are undeniably English, like Cheddar Cheese or the Monty Python. Others, like Chicken Tikka Masala, are not originally English but have become so widespread in the English culture, that are now an inseparable part of it. Here is a website that can help you learn about all these facts of the English culture and, if you’re particularly keen on any of them and you feel like learning as much as you can on it, you can test your knowledge by doing a quiz here. If you are an expert, you can even win a prize! It can be real fun and a good way to practise your English and learn a lot about its culture!
Hope you enjoy it!

Up Helly Aa festival

(Source: the Internet)

This is a picture of the Up Helly-Aa festival which has been celebrated on the Shetland islands (North of Scotland) for over 100 years. They claim it to be the largest fire festival in Europe! (Have they heard of 'Falles' in Valencia?).
It is a fire festival of unknown origin to celebrate the end of the Yule season. Up to a thousand guizers march in procession holding torches which they later throw into a replica Viking ship and set it on fire.
To learn more visit this site.

Directgov

Hi there! Work? Education? Money? Health and well-being? You name it! I'd like to recommend a site where you can learn all that there is to learn about services in the UK. Click here to watch a video that will tell you everything about how it works. You can click on the subtitles to read and watch at the same time!

Once you've watched the video, you can click here to get to the website and enjoy!

Warwick Castle

A View of Warwick Castle from the river Avon

British Isles Answer

A student from 1st year has answered the "British Isles" entry. This was her answer:

1.- Explain the difference between:
a) The British Isles: they are a European archipelago of islands. They comprise Great Britain (the biggest island), Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland (the second biggest island) and other smaller islands (Man Island, etc)

b) Great Britain: it is made up of England, Scotland and Wales. It’s the biggest island of the British Isles.

c) The UK: The United Kingdom comprises England, Scotland, Wales and Northern of Ireland.

2.-Design a touristic route stopping in:

1.- England:
You can visit Buckingham Palace in London. It’s the official residence of the British Monarchy’s. Inside, you can see the biggest private garden in London.
You should visit The British Museum too. It’s the oldest state museum in the world.

2.- Wales:
You should visit the Castle of Cardiff (in the city of Cardiff). It’s inside Butter’s Park and it’s very beautiful. It looks like a child tale’s castle.
You will enjoy a great game if you go to The Millenium Stadium, the biggest covered stadium of England.

3.- Scotland:
There is a great place with a curious animal, Nessie. It’s The Loch Ness. Fort William has mountainous areas of great beauty where you can explore and walk.


4.- Northern Ireland: Belfast is a great city. You can see The Belfast City Hall. It’s an example of classical renaissance style.
If you love nature, you must visit the Giant’s Causeway. It’s a landscape with formations of unusual basalt columns

5.- Ireland: There, if you like beer, you can visit the Guiness Storehouse (Dublin).The city of Cork is very interesting. Do you have children? You can visit the Chuckies Playzone, in Wilton. You can visit the Dungeons of Cork too.

Great answer! Congratulations!

My own, my love, my prrrecious... English Throne!!

Hundreds of people have stepped forward to claim the throne of England after a worldwide quest by genealogists to find a rightful heir.
After rooting through their family trees, legions of French, Italian, Norwegian, Dutch, Swedish and Canadian would-be royals bid for the monarchy.
The ads, asking people to supply documentary proof on www.english-heritage.org.uk/hastings, asked "Can you trace your family tree back to 1066? Might your ancestors have claimed the English throne?"
Edgar Aetheling was named heir apparent by his great uncle King Edward the Confessor but was not crowned when the King died in 1066 because he was too young. Harold II was crowned instead. William the Conqueror crossed over from Normandy, defeating Harold at the Battle of Hastings. The teenage Aetheling later submitted to William.
"We had a chap from Arizona who tracked himself back to St Margaret. A lady from California could trace herself back to Edgar and William the Conqueror and says she has a pair of handsome sons who would make perfect princes. One Australian tied himself in with assorted 11th century royal families. A number of Scandinavians claimed Norse and Danish noble ties. We had many English claims from families called Ashling and Avling, suggesting a derivation of Aetheling."

Wouldn't you like to get the English Throne? Do you know the ancestors of your family? Do you think this is really important? Send your opinions!!

Let's meet the British Isles

What do you know about Northern Ireland? And about Wales? Would you like to travel around the British Isles on the Web? Do the following tasks:
1.- Explain the difference between:
a) The British Isles; b) Great Britain; and c) the UK.
1.- Design a touristic route stopping in 1.- England, 2.- Wales, 3.- Scotland, 4.- Northern Ireland and 5.- Ireland. Mention two places to visit in each region and briefly explain why that place is attractive.

You can use these links: England's Top Attractions Visit Britain Northern Ireland Visit Highlands Travel Scotland Visit Wales Stay in Wales Tourism in Ireland Travel Ireland

You've got until Wednesday to send your answers in an attached word file to our blog-related email address: englisheoisagunt@gmail.com. You can add a couple of photos, if you feel like. Good luck!!