My last post was about the unexpected pleasures that reading to children can bring – sometimes years afterwards. Another, more immediate added pleasure comes from children’s book illustrations. Here are two examples: The first two are from The Frog Who Wanted to See the Sea, by Guy Billout. And the third, sadly only published as a …
Author archives: Marian Dougan
Getting kids hooked on books – payback time (in a nice way)
People talk of reading to young children as being a chore, and of parents rather than children falling asleep at bedtime out of sheer exhaustion. Well, there’s no denying that babies and young children are hard work and that sleep becomes the ultimate luxury. But reading to your kids can be great fun, not just …
Continue reading “Getting kids hooked on books – payback time (in a nice way)”
Getting kids hooked on books
Our next-door neighbours had their first baby a few weeks ago – Isadora, known as Izzi. When our own kids were born, friends and relatives gave us an abundance of (i.e. too many) baby clothes and toys. So we decided to buy Izzi a selection of books to see her from baby bathtime to school …
La plume de ma tante…
“La plume de ma tante est sur la table” is often cited as an example of the irrelevant rote learning that used to give language teaching a bad name. Here’s an overview of the etymology of “plume”: 1. From Online Etymology Dictionary: plume late 14c., “a feather” (especially a large and conspicuous one), from O.Fr. plume, from …
Online newspapers: to pay or not to pay
In today’s earlier post I mentioned that The Sunday TImes will be charging users for online access, starting in June 2010. Depending, I assume, on readers’ reactions, other newspapers and magazine will follow suit. How do you feel about paying for online access to your favourite paper? And how often would you prefer to pay? …
Signing up to The Sunday Times…+
tarting next month, the Sunday Times will be charging for access to its online edition. One day’s access will cost £1, a week’s subscription £2. The weekly subscription will include special digital services, such as an e-paper and new applications. Judging from the following invitation (in today’s “Culture” supplement), those new applications might give subscribers …
Top 100 Language Blogs 2010 – we’re well chuffed!
“Words to good effect” is one of the winning blogs in the Top 100 Language Blogs 2010 competition organised by LexioPhiles and Bab.La. We came 42nd overall, and 9th in the Top 10 Language Professionals category. We’re delighted! A big Thank You to everyone who voted for us! By Marian Dougan
Spreading the language love (2) – Careers Days
For any of you thinking of taking part in language learning initiatives at your local schools, I thought it might be useful to describe in more detail some of the events I’ve attended. So that you know what you’re letting yourselves in for! Careers Day The Careers Day I attended was for 2nd year pupils …
Continue reading “Spreading the language love (2) – Careers Days”
Marketing? Some boy telephoned…
…and he’s wishing he hadn’t. The phone rang. I answered. Me: Hello, Marian Dougan speaking. Caller (male): Hello, can I speak to the Managing Director? Me: Who’s calling, please? Caller: I’d like to speak to the Managing Director. Me: Yes, but who’s calling? Caller: It’s a business call, I’d like to speak to the Managing …
Spreading the language love (1)
If you work with language and love your job, one way to share your enthusiasm is to take part in career days or simply talk to pupils at your local school about your work and why you enjoy it. As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, language teachers will thank you for your efforts. I’ve attended …