1. While I was exploring the LSE website the other day, I came across the very clear, three-minute-long video on (the right-hand side of) this page explaining How the US Government Works: https://www.lse.ac.uk/lse-player and I’d been hoping to find a twin video on how the UK government works to go with it – but I haven’t found one yet. I’ll keep looking. Let me know if you know of one, please! How about asking your students to produce a similar video on how government works in your country?

2. This one’s a little technical, and you may like to skim the summary and conclusions sections. The latest Bell Foundation https://www.bell-foundation.org.uk/ research report, English as an Additional Language, Proficiency in English and rate of progression: Pupil, school and LA (local authority) variation, is the last in a series of four investigating the relationships between English as an Additional Language (EAL), Proficiency in English (PIE) and educational achievement at school. https://www.bell-foundation.org.uk/eal-programme/research/english-as-an-additional-language-proficiency-in-english-and-rate-of-progression-pupil-school-and-la-variation/ PDF attached below. One of the report’s findings is that funding is typically available – in the UK, at least – for half as long as is necessary.

It’s well worth exploring the resources available on the Bell Foundation site, which include Macbeth for beginner EAL students – there’s quite a lot to unpack in that choice of text for that group of learners, I think. You’ll need to register.

3. Jamie Duncan is presenting the next seminar in the Lancaster Literary Research Centre series, Researching Protest Literacies, at 13:00 UK time on Friday 26^th March, on his research in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro and what happens when protest ‘gets in the way’ of one’s fieldwork. More details and registration here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/researching-protest-literacies-tickets-142844518801

4. And, finally, an experimental film mentioned by a colleague this morning, Koyaanisqatsi https://youtu.be/v6-K-arVl-U It’s all about balance – or the lack of it – between our own way of life and the rest of the natural world. Sound track by Philip Glass.