The British Council
Resource Centre Ostrava Activities




OCTOBER
5 - 15 October: REGISTRATION FOR CAMBRIDGE EXAMINATIONS

1. 10. 1999 9:00
Cambridge examinations: Seminars for teachers
Cambridge Young Learners English Tests (YLE)
The seminar is designed for teachers who are preparing candidates for Cambridge Young Learners English Tests (YLE), or who are planning to do so in the future. The seminar will last approximately 3 hours and will be led by Anthea Bazin, examinations consultant from University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES).

1. 10. 1999 14:00
CAMBRIDGE EXAMINATIONS: SEMINARS FOR TEACHERS
An Introduction to the Business English Certificates (BEC)
The seminar is designed as an introduction to BEC and aims to answer the following questions: What is BEC? Who is BEC intended for? What levels are available? What skills does BEC test? How are BEC candidates assessed? What represents appropriate preparation for candidates? What does a BEC certificate mean? The seminar will last approximately 3 hours and will be led by Anthea Bazin, examinations consultant from UCLES.

6. 10. 1999 16:00
WHAT IS IT LIKE TO BE A DIPLOMAT?
A talk given by Giles Portman, the Politics and Information Officer at the British Embassy Prague. He joined the British Diplomatic Service 4 years ago, aged 24, and has served in the European Union Department in the Foreign Office in London and the United Nations in New York. He gives a personal view on life for an aspiring young diplomat in the modern international environment.

14. 10. 1999 16:00
BRITISH ANIMATED ADVERTISEMENTS
How to work with British animated advertisements in an English classroom. Aimed at teachers in secondary schools. Led by Jayne Pilling, British freelance artist.

16. 10. 1999 9:00
BRITISH CULTURAL STUDIES COURSE
Contemporary British Society
A course for secondary school teachers on British Studies in the language classroom. The course will deal with the following areas: Contemporary British society, Everyday life, Literature, and History. The first session will be led by Světlana Obenausová, UP Olomouc and Andrew Tollet, ZČU Plzeň.

20. 10. 1999 16:00
THE AMERICAN EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM
Take the mystery out of this "mysterious" topic in one easy session! We´ll cover elementary + secondary education in America, with special emphasis on the terms that Americans and Britons both use, but with different meanings. Led by Jeannine Lorenger, University of Ostrava.

NOVEMBER
3. 11. 1999 16:00
Author's Reading
Bedford-born black writer Steve I. Martin´s first published book Incomparable World (Quartet Books Ltd., 1997) immediately attracted attention of British critics. This fascinating, sharp and entertaining story of Black people in eighteenth century London conveys a thought-provoking picture of individuals caught between worlds and the upheavals of history. Incomparable World argues for a very specific contribution being made to Britain right now by its Afro-Caribbean, African or Asian populations. Steve now lives in Brixton and teaches at South Bank University of London.
18 October - 6 November: Residency at the University of Ostrava, Department of English and American Studies.

13. 11. 1999 9:00
BRITISH CULTURAL STUDIES COURSE
Everyday life
Led by Simon Gill and Světlana Obenausová, UP Olomouc

18. 11. 1999 16:00
ENGLISH ADJECTIVES
Bizarre, blessed, buxom, cosy, camp, quirky, uncouth - adjectives pose few problems for learners of English, but they are much more interesting than nouns, verbs and prepositions (what could be duller than prepositions!). Led by Robin Healey, ČVUT Praha.

DECEMBER
9. 12. 1999 16:00
BRITISH FOOD
Is British food really as dreadful as we are led to believe? The answer, of course, is NO! British food is wonderful, as Simon Gill, PdF UP Olomouc, will attempt to persuade us in this light-hearted talk, in which he will serve up (unfortunately, only in words), a tasty menu of delicacies from his native island. Make sure to eat before you come!
Attendance is free of charge. Unfortunately space is limited, so we shall have to ask you to sign up in advance, in person or by phone (069/6121719, 6121920). We shall start a registration list 14 days before the session.

The British Council
Masarykovo nám. 21
701 45 Ostrava 1
tel./fax: 069/6121719
tel.: 069/6121920
e-mail: bcostrava@britcoun.anet.cz