Elisabeth investigates the world of Dog Racing, ahead of our forthcoming trip to Walthamstow Dogs:

Greyhound Racing is the second largest spectator sport in the country and there are tracks all over the UK. Basically, the dogs chase a mechanical lure, which is called a hare. Starting about half a circuit from the start, when it passes near the starting traps, it automatically triggers the gate and releases the greyhounds. If the dogs catch or overtake the lure, the race is declared void. The winner of the race is the dog whose nose first reaches the winning line and a photo finish maybe used to determine the winner.

Originated from Egypt where it was used to chase after rabbits, hares, leopard and gazelle, Greyhounds started racing in England by the beginning of the XIXth century.  This breed of dog is found more on the race track than at home as a family pet as it is the second fastest accelerating land mammal (after the cheetah) reaching speeds up to 39.15 mph in less than one and a half second!

What a buzz in the stadium and thrill with the bets you can place on the dogs! If you want to experience this great event coming soon, please contact James at james@answerenglish.com

Do you want to practise your Spanish or English? Learn all about Pamplona and its famous festival? Sample some delicious food and drink of the Navarrese region? Maybe even dance some salsa? Or just want a fun night out? Then you should come to our Pamplona night on Thursday 12 July 2007.

Very soon one of Spain’s most famous festivals will commence with the thunderous sound of hooves chasing down fleet-footed members of the public that are brave (or mad!) enough to do the ‘running of the bulls’ in Pamplona.

To recognise the Fiesta de San Fermin, 6th to 14th July, we are arranging an evening where you can learn all about the fiesta and sample some of the lovely delicacies and drinks of this beautiful part of Spain. There will be a chance to practise your Spanish or English, meet Spaniards and British people interested in all things Spanish. In addition we will offer a salsa class for those interested in a latin beat.

We’ll start the evening with at 6.30pm with a short Spanish lesson to introduce you to the language, then from 7pm you will have a chance to chat and mix with people, an opportunity for you to practise your Spanish and for Spanish native speakers to practise their English. At 8pm our Pamplona expert will introduce the region and you’ll have the chance to try some of the food and drink, followed by a salsa lesson for those interested and the opportunity to socialise.

Date: Thursday 12 July, from 18:30

Where: Bar Andalucia, 139 - 141 Whitfield Street

More information: Contact James Adkin: info@answerenglish.com

Most people come to London to improve their English but some want to have more than one string to their bow. If you wish to combine both, learning English and soaking up art, the English Language Arts Group is for you.

Museums, art galleries and exhibitions as well as an art-related English class, that’s what you will be doing when joining this class. The course takes place in South Kensington from Wednesday to Friday, from 3.30pm to 6.30pm and costs £9 per session.

If you want to book now or if you need some more information about it, please check out the website www.elagroup.org.uk or contact ela_group@btinternet.com.

After the great success of our first walking tour  “Power and Parliament” last Wednesday, the walk this week will focus on London’s “West End” ending up at the emblematic place that is Piccadilly Circus.

While the last tour involved the Royal and Political heart of London, the “Walking through the West End” tour will introduce you to a different side of central London renowned for entertainment and shopping, but also with hundreds of years of life and change.

In addition to your English classes, the walking tour is definitely the chance to see London from another angle in an entertaining and interesting way while learning new vocabulary and expressions.

If you want more to book a ticket or just some more information, please contact James at james@answerenglish.com

London Zoo is the world’s oldest scientific zoo. It was opened in 1828, and was originally intended to be used as a collection for scientific study. It was eventually opened to the public in 1847. This zoo located in Regent park which make this an ideal place to for animals to resident and for visitors to relax!

In a sunny Saturday of April 2007, I went to this exciting place – London Zoo with a friend. My first impression about this zoo is so many people, especially so many children there! After about 45 minutes waiting in a queue, we finally made it inside the zoo.

There are many mammals which you are keen to see because they are so lovely and cute, especially when they are eating. Some popular mammals in London Zoo such as African hunting dog, Asian lion, Chapman’s zebra, Pygmy hippopotamus, Red river hog, Red-faced black spider monkey, Sloth bear, Squirrel monkey and Sumatran tiger etc are all the collection in this famous zoo.

For those people who love birds, you can find many different kinds of birds here: either can fly or can not fly. Black footed penguin, Eastern white pelican, Emu, Rock hopper penguin etc are all on display now!

There is also an aquarium there in London zoo. You can find out all kinds of sea animals in this aquarium: Axolotl, Banggai cardinal fish, Giant Asian pond turtle, Regal tang, Yellow seahorse and also the formidable Mr. shark are all the famous sea animals here in London zoo which make this zoo a better place to visit.

This is an ideal zoo for those animal lovers to visit this oldest zoo in the whole world. So, if you want to come to London either study English or for fun, please contact James@answerenglish.com or call him on 020 7492 8651. I have no doubt that you will have a good time in London with the help of Answer English.

Now as we head into the summer Jiajun recalls the unusually hot spring time and breaks the myth that London is downcast, grey and wet!

The April of London was very different from previous years because all Londoners and the people who stayed in London in April experienced the hottest temperature weather in 2007 so far! I am not sure what exactly the temperature was; but I can guess it should be at least 25°C!

I am sure you all have realized that Nowadays, global warming is becoming the hottest topic and a large amount of people have been talking about it all the time! UN officials and the government of many countries have also given many warnings about the global warming issues: Reducing the release of CO2 and discovering green energy is becoming a new challenge for modern human being!

The temperature was unusual in London in April; but from another point of view, people really enjoyed the nice warm weather: walking through the parks in London, you can see people were everywhere! Some lied down on the grass, some lied down on the chairs and some lied down on the boat! Another interesting is that the animals at parks were also very happy about nice weather because they were chasing each other with smile on their face. There are so many different ways of enjoying the exceptional April weather that you will never feel bored here in London! Why not come to join us and have real experience; I am sure you will like it!

Now it is time to act: Open your email address and type in the address: james@answerenglish.com and then press send or dial the number +44 20 7402 8651. See you in Sunny England.