The Answer English Blog has been featured in one of London’s local newspapers, the London Informer, as Blog of the Week!  Please excuse the vanity, but we are delighted that we have been given this accolade and that more people hear about the Answer English site.

The London Informer is part of the Trinity Mirror Group and is distributed throughout West London with a circulation of 75,000 copies.  It is a free weekly publication and is delivered direct to people’s houses in Fulham, Hammersmith, Chelsea and Kensington.  On Friday the article came out and featured our articles on A Pint of Beer becoming a British Icon, Punk Music 30 years on and the Rise of Interest in Learning Languages.  Thanks to Russell Handy for getting in touch and writing the article about us.

A terrorist plot to blow up a number of airplanes bound towards America was foiled yesterday by MI5 officers.  The news shocked the world but full credit must go to our security services for intercepting this horrendous plot.  Undoubtedly the next few days will be one of tension for people travelling to and from the UK.  However it is important to remember that no one has been hurt and there have been multiple arrests of the suspected terrorists.

A lot of airports are resuming services today both in-bound and out-bound.  There are however new precautionary restrictions on what you are now allowed to take on to the plane.  Essentially you are NOT ALLOWED HAND LUGGAGE except for the following items:

Pocket-sized wallets/ purses, plus contents
Passports/ travel tickets
Prescription medicines, not in liquid form unless verified as authentic
Essential medical items, eg diabetic kit
Glasses & sunglasses, no cases
Contact lens holders, no solution
Baby food & milk for those with infants - bottle contents must be tasted by accompanying passenger
Essential sanitary items for infants
Female sanitary items, unboxed
Tissues, unboxed, or handkerchiefs
Keys, but no electric key fobs

If you are travelling today and over the weekend you are recommended to contact your airline for up-to-date information on cancellations and to expect delays.  Here are a series of links with information for passengers flying to and from the UK:

BBC: At-a-glance: UK airports

This is Local London: Travel advice more cancellations on Friday

BBC: Q&A: UK Terror alert response

‘Here’s Johnny!’ Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining will be shown this Saturday at Somerset House as part of Film 4’s Summer Screenings.  From Thursday 10 August until next Saturday 19 August you can relax in the majestic courtyard outdoors and enjoy on the big screen everything from Fantasy & Thrillers to Horror and Comedy.

Starring Jack Nicholson as Jack Torrance, The Shining is about a novelist that accepts a job as a winter caretaker at Overlook Hotel so he can work in an isolated environment.  Jack is told that the last caretaker butchered his family and that the hotel can be of particular danger to those with the gift of perception.  Despite the warnings, it is not long before Jack starts acting increasingly erraticly and sets about murdering his whole family.  The Shining is a classic horror movie and Jack Nicholoson excels with an award winning performance.

If The Shining isn’t your scence here are some of Somerset House’s highlights: School of Rock (11 August), The Big Lebowski (19 August) and Sci-Fi Double Bill: Starship Troopers & Aliens on Friday 18 August.  Somerset House is located on the Strand.  Click here for a Map to the Venue.  The screenings start at 21:15 and are between £12.50 and £15.00.  To book call 0870 4000 603 and for more information go to the Somerset House website.  The nearest Underground Stations are Temple or Charing Cross.

One man’s interpretation of Life in London goes on show at the Portland Gallery.  Nick Botting’s exhibition entitled Capital Life explores his own personal ’snapshots’ of London.

The collection includes classic images like views of Tower Bridge and the Old Bailey to swimmers at Hampstead Ponds and skaters at Somerset House.  Nick said to ITV News “You get so used to seeing passing people that you forget to look. I’ve tried to pinpoint individuals, and moods of individuals.  Everybody feels frightened or lonely. I’m trying to pin down ideas to do with that.”

Capital Life is on show between the 4 and the 31 August at the Portland Gallery.  Located at 8 Bennet Street, the nearest tube is Green Park.  Call 020 7493 1888 for more information.

Dancing policemen, jerk chicken, steel drums, street stalls, sound systems and rastas… this can only mean one thing: the Notting Hill Carnival.  The biggest street festival in Britain takes place every year on the August Bank Holiday as two million people flock to West London to dance, drink and grind to the music.  What was once started by a small group of dedicated Trinidadian steel drummers in the 1960’s today is probably the biggest multi-cultural festival in the World.

International Artists

The festival is a visual and musical feast that has something for everyone.  If the hundreds of floats with their intricate designs, vibrant dancers and steel drumming isn’t enough to get you going then the ‘Static Sound Systems’ sure will.  There are over 45 licensed stages each equipped with hundreds of speakers that compete with each other for your attention.  They play every music under the sun from Drum & Bass, Hip Hop and Garage to Reggae, Funk, Jazz and Soul.  Not only local artists but International stars such as Wyclef Jean, Mighty Sparrow, Freedie MeGregor, Bruning Spear, Jamiroquai, Amaponda, Courtney Spin and Eddie “Electric Avenue” Grant have appeared on Notting Hill’s stages.

Cultural Heritage

The Carnival’s roots are from the island of Trinidad in the Caribbean.  In the 1830’s when Black people had been freed from slavery they took to the streets to sing and dance and use their creative skills to mock their masters. These artistic skills of steel drumming, costume making and calypso have created what is today, a fantastic festival of arts and culture.  Trinidadians are suitably proud as the Carnival draws on all aspects of their cultural heritage from both Europe and Africa.

Melting Pot

The Notting Hill Carnival attracts people from all over the world.   Over time it has far outgrown its strictly Caribbean roots.  Today groups from as far a field as Bulgaria, Russia, Afghanistan, Kurdistan, the Philippines, Bangladesh and Brazil are positively encouraged to join in the festival and add their own creative juices to the cultural melting pot.  They also add a bit of spice to the competition between the various Carnival disciplines.

Spirited Passion

The Carnival is a blur with colour, music and pure human energy.  There are so many people it is sometimes difficult to work out what is going on!  When you go try to see if you can experience a little bit of the five different musical themes that make up the carnival: Steelband, Calypso (political, social and satirical commentary, set to music), Mas’ (masquerade), Soca (the traditional music of Carnival, made up of a fusion of Soul and Calypso) and of course the Static Sound systems.  This mix makes the event what it is, a free-for-all of spirited passion, freedom and celebration. 

Hanging out for the Summer

For many the Notting Hill Carnival signals the end of the British Summer.  It is a real social occasion and despite the massive numbers of people it is one of those times when you ‘bump’ into friends you weren’t expecting. If you are thinking of coming to London why not plan to make your trip coincide with this unique event and quite literally go out with bang!

When is it: Sunday 27 August and Monday 28 August, between 12:00 and 18:00.

Where is it: Notting Hill, Ladbroke Grove and Westbourne Grove areas. 

How to get there: These Underground stations tend to be open on the day Westbourne Park, Ladbroke Grove, Latimer Road, Royal Oak or Notting Hill. There are many restrictions however and it is worth checking with Transport for London in advance.

This article first appeared in Hot English Magazine a language learning publication to help you learn English.  I write a monthly column in the title on London Life and this was the first article on the Notting Hill Carnival.  To see the a copy of the printed page itself go to our AE in the News section.

We are off to Notting Hill as part of our Social Events programme.  If you would like to join in Contact Us

Pint of Beer becomes an Icon of England!  What does this say about the English, when a glass of beer is one of the enduring icons of our society?  Icons of England have revealed their latest list of 20 icons based on votes from the general public.  A pint of beer takes up its place alongside Sherlock Holmes, The Bobby (policeman), Monty Python, Robin Hood, The Archers (a popular radio show), the Mini and Rugby.

As depressing as it is to think that an alcoholic drink in a unique quantity just short of a half litre can define a nation, you has to admit that they’re not wrong.  There is something enduring about a pint, something homely.  It is no surprise that men and women hold it close to them like an old friend.  So much so that when you are on the continent and beer is served in what amounts to a wine glass, you always have a feeling of disappointment - it’s just not the same, it’s just not England, and it’s certainly not cricket!

To read more about about the icons that make up a Portrait of England, and cast your vote, go the Icons Website.  Talking of beer the Great British Beer Festival is on at the moment until Saturday at Earl’s Court.  See the Campaign for Real Ale Website for more details.

What would Horatio Nelson think?  Today the Trafalgar Square festival kicks off for what promises to be an actioned packed three weeks of entertainment.  Every Thursday to Sunday from now until the 20 August there will be performing artists from all over the world.

There is a diverse mix of entertainment including ‘Whose hair dares!’ by Spanish theatre group Osadia - giving an original and provocative exhibition of hair art inspired by London’s landmarks - and Urban Rotations by Acrojou Acrobatic Theatre - where two performers spin and move around each other manipulating two huge steel wheels in a choreographerd acrobatic display!

To see the full listings go to the 2006 Trafalgar Square Festival official site.  Or you can keep up to date with the coverage with BBC London.  All events are free and they will be start at 6pm on Thursdays, 8pm on Fridays and 3pm on Saturdays and Sundays. 

To learn a language you must focus on 4 key areas: Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking.  In many ways reading and writing you can practice any time any where.  But listening and speaking are not as easy to do on the move, whatever the time, wherever the place, until now.  English language podcasts, where language learners can listen to English and hear the spoken word, are at the forefront of language learning.

You can now download to your iPod or MP3 player a class, a dialogue or conversation to help you with your learning skills.  By their very nature podcasts can be updated regularly and repeated so that you have both fresh material and can practice until perfect.  One leading English Podcast is ESL Pod that you might like to check out.

Answer English thinks that this is the way forward and aims to bring out our own pod-casts within the next month.  We feel in combo with our blog, English Class and Grammar Made Easy section we can help you learn English better and stay at the fore front of langauge learning!  What do you think, is this a good idea?  What would you like to hear in an Answer English podcast? 

We really value your opinion, so please feel free to leave a comment below and let us know.

Great news for aspiring students and businesses everywhere.  Alexis Sheldon form Upstream came to the Answer English offices to update us on his many projects.  One of them is an exciting and fresh approach to Interning in the UK.  Together with his business partner Jose, they have set up Intern Town to help people looking to gain work experience in the UK find potenial internships.  However whereas many firms charge the Intern for the work placement, with Intern Town you can find a work placement for FREE!

This is fantastic news for people looking to intern and gain work experience in a certain field.  Doing an internship can help you get a taste for an industry, gain valuable market knowledge and give you a better chance of finding paid-work in the future.  More and more employers are looking for students that have got relevant work experience.  Doing an internship is a sure way to do that and stand out from the rest. 

The Intern Town site will be up and running in the next few weeks, so if you are looking to gain some experience in a particular industry, go online and put up your details at: Intern Town