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The Peace Corps in Poland

They came, did their work and are moving on...

The Peace Corps (PC) came to Poland at the request of the Polish Government in early 1990. That is anundeniable fact, but it is only part of the truth. It wasn' t quite that simple. As one Chicago-based newspaper noted back in 1995:" Over the past few years, Mr Piszek has been concentrating on propagating the learning of English in Poland. Five years ago, he was the main force behind bringing Peace Corps volunteers to Poland."

1999

Are Hip-Hop Videos Sexist?

The two best selling genres of popular music in the U.S. are country music and Hip-Hop. Consequently, MTV is full of videos by C&W and rap artists. Nobody seems to get very upset about the former, but the latter certainly seems to divide the record buying public. Are these videos degrading to females?

2002

A Real Hate of Real Estate

Why is selling and buying a house one of the most stressful and tiring experiences of your life? I think it's on a par with having a baby! Since buying a house is probably one of the largest purchases you make in their lifetime, you don't want to make a mistake.

2001

Where there's a Will there's a way

William Wales (aka Prince William) is reaching the end of his first term at St Andrew's University in Scotland, which we profiled last year (5/2000). What's it like trying to be a normal student getting an education fit for a king?

Life can be tough being an apprentice monarch - especially a British one - when the eyes of the whole world are focused on you. And even more so when your mum was Princess Diana, "England's Rose", whose every move and word was examined and blown out of proportion by a sensation-seeking press.

2001

A Memorable Little League World Series

Japan snatched the title from Florida, but to the delight of a 45,000-strong crowd former Little Leaguer U.S. President George W. Bush was in Williamsport, PA in August to watch the Little League Championship Game.

The 2001 Little League World Series will go down in history as one of the most memorable and significant events in Little League's glorious 55 years.

2001
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Baseball

Put Another Language in Your Luggage

And this year was no exception, with over 600 different events taking place in 40 countries celebrating Europe's linguistic diversity and lifelong language learning. In Poland, the Foreign Languages Department of Wroclaw University of Technology staged an IATEFL Conference, which brought together teachers and course book authors to exchange ideas and experience. A joint art exhibition, entitled We in Europe, took place in both Człuchów and Constance, Germany, among many other events happening simultaneously all over the country.

2003

Package at Endor.

When the cold winter days are over, you start thinking about holidays in the sun. Numerous places come to mind and you still don' t know where to go. But it' s simple! The answer is: OUT THERE!

2000

What a Wonderful World

World Santa Claus congress meets in Copenhagen

One hundred and twenty Santa Clauses from around the world met this autumn in the Danish capital for their 40th annual convention. The agenda for the three-day event included key issues such as when Christmas should be held this year. After much debate the red-nosed and jolly Santas decided, unanimously, that December 24 should be designated as Christmas Eve. Observant readers might notice that this is the same day as last year, and the one before, and the one before that. But never mind.

2003

FAQs: Joining the European Union

When Poland joins the EU will everything in the shops be as expensive as in Paris or London?

Of course not. If Poland does join the EU, prices will gradually increase at the same rate as wages. There will be no dramatic increase in the cost of bread, beer or clothing.

Will we have to get rid of the zloty then?

2002

Baseball

Beginning with the start of the year 2000 baseball season, the Copernicus Society of America has initiated a local effort in the Philadelphia area to collect a total of 2,000 new and used baseball gloves for underprivileged Little Leaguers around the world. "Pitch in a glove for Little League" encourages individuals to donate a brand new baseball glove or search in their basement, attic, closet or garage at home to find a glove to give to the effort.

2000
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Baseball

Tracking Down the Hackers

If you have seen The Matrix you will have some idea of how sinister the world of computers could be. It' s not like that really (we hope!), but computing is certainly not always confined to the innocent activities of typing text, sending emails and downloading web pages. Enter the world of the hackers.

1999

Hurrah for Harry!

Third in line to the throne, young Prince Harry has started to make his mark on the nation's consciousness in more ways than one...

2002

Jokes!

Here are some actual label instructions on consumer goods. We in the West are not all this stupid, honestly! Shop carefully!

1. On a Sears hairdryer: "Do not use while sleeping."

2. On a bag of Fritos: "You could be a winner! No purchase necessary. Details inside."

3. On a bar of Dial soap: "Directions: use like regular soap."

4. On some Swanson frozen dinners: "Serving suggestions: defrost."

5. On Tesco's Tiramisu dessert (printed on bottom of box): "Do not turn upside down."

2001

Olympiad

Fundacja Kopernikańska w Polsce, the publisher of THE WORLD OF ENGLISH and the official sponsor of the XXIII English Language Olympiad, congratulates the 20 Laureats who advanced to the final stage from 26,442 starting participants.

Agnieszka Wendorff, the 1st prize winner of the XXIII English Language Olympiad, being congratulated by dr Henryk Krzyżanowski, the author of the tests.

1999

Exiled on the Emerald Isle

During and after the Second World War, a small community of Polish people developed in Ireland. The two peoples shared religion and a history of oppression, while marriage brought them closer together.

2001

A Continent Short on Bridges

Somewhere over the River Ubangi, in Likuali, the land of the pygmies, a white hunter once told me:" In this world all national borders are artificial. For thousands of years the only thing that has counted here has been the tribes and their laws. But who can work out the complicated geography of ethnic and tribal divisions?"

1999

Secret Shopper

Each June, high school and university students across America pack away their books for three months and go to work. For some of these students, summer jobs are a way to soak up the sun while earning pocket money as a lifeguard at the beach or a caddy in a posh golf club. For others, they're the first rung on the professional ladder, padding a résumé and imparting essential business skills. But as Steve DeBretto from Chicago explains, some summer jobs can be just plain weird.

2003

Letters to the Professor

When listening to native speakers they do not seem to say 'one hundred' or 'one kilometre' properly. The 'one' sounds more like an 'er' sound. Can you please explain to me why this is and if I should try to do it too? Małgorzata J., Warszawa.

Dear Malgorzata,

2000

Golden Jubilee

The origins of Royal Jubilees date back to the days of Ancient Egypt. Pharaohs were obliged to take part in various ceremonies to demonstrate their continuing virility and competence to rule. The word Jubilee is Hebrew and comes from Yobel, which refers to the ram's horn that was used in those days to proclaim that celebrations were about to begin.

2002

What on earth is the Council of Europe?

What on earth is the Council of Europe?

1999