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We are Europe's Future!

"We are the future of Europe. The future shape of our continent depends on us." So said the young people who came to Strasbourg from 43 countries for the 50th anniversary of the Council of Europe.

1999

Notting Hill, Actually

After the film Notting Hill, starring Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts, was released in 1999 house prices in that area of west London shot through the roof. Everyone suddenly wanted to live there. But was the film a realistic portrayal of that part of London - or was it simply the product of the imagination of Britain's most successful screenplay writer in recent years, Richard Curtis?

2004

Ghosts of Christmas Past

Many of the things that the British and Americans associate with Christmas - the tree, the greetings cards, giving presents - have their origins in Victorian Britain. Lets go back in time and see what Christmas was like for an average family living in London in the mid-eighteen hundreds.

2003

No Dope, No Hope?

"You are what you eat" is a favourite health catchphrase, but in sport it seems more and more to be a case of: "You are when you cheat."

2001

The Great British Beach Holiday

Martin Hinton has ten pieces of advice for those of you considering taking a holiday by the seaside in the UK. If you want to not look out of place among the Brits sitting on the beach, then remember to do the following:

2004
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UK
Travel
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You Are Now Entering the Phone Zone

An incredible 24 million mobile phone text-messages are sent and received every day in Britain. The young, especially, love this way of communicating, but many academics and teachers are increasingly worried about the quality of English they use when sending an SMS.

2001

Thanks to the Yanks

You'll find everything in America, so naturally the Yanks have found a name for everything...

Strictly speaking, the term "America" comprises the entire Western Hemisphere, encompassing North, Central and South America. Colloquially, however, when most people say America, they mean the United States. For centuries, the world's richest country has fascinated travelers and attracted immigrants from all over the globe. And America continues to be a dream destination both for tourists and people seeking a better life.

2002

Linux

Say Windows and most people will know that you mean the operating system owned by Microsoft. Say Linux and youll probably get a blank stare either that or theyll think youre trying to sell them a new brand of washing powder.

2001

Letters to the Professor

I am learning English at school and I enjoy it very much. But I have one problem, so perhaps you can help me. Do I say: "I live in Zakopane" or "I am living in Zakopane"? Having two present tenses in English is difficult for me. - Stephan P., Zakopane

Dear Stephan,
Yes, I understand your problem. But the problem is not with English, it is with the English teachers and the grammar books.

2000

Australia Celebrates its First Century

2000 was a special year for Australia, as we had the honour of hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games. In 2001 our celebrations have continued, this time to mark the 100th anniversary of Australia as a Federation, our system of Government.

Before 1901

2001

Live and Let Live

If you think 007 is the new international dialling code then get a life! 007 is part of the British national consciousness: heroism, patriotism and self-parody. 007 is James Bond - with a licence to thrill...

2001

Study in the EU

One of the keys to increasing labour mobility in the European Union is education. The EU has many programmes aimed at students who wish to study in EU countries. Peter Gentle takes a look at some of these initiatives and has some advice for Poles who are thinking about enrolling at a British university.

2004

On the Crest of a Wave

As anticipation of the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney mounts, The World of English speaks with sailing champion Mateusz Kusznierewicz about his life, sailing, and of course, English.

1999

English Football.

The National Team Sinks but the Premiership Sails On

Some of the best teams in the world are English but the national side still did badly in Euro 2000. Why was it? We take a look at the current shape of English footie.

2000

Don't Believe the Hype.

We are becoming increasingly influenced by what we see, hear or read on the multitude of media available to us. As the Internet expands and media companies grow bigger, richer and more powerful, we must learn to distinguish between the truth and the hype.

2000

A-Z of the British Parliament

Some of them wear funny wigs and call each other "Right Honourable". The Speaker hardly ever speaks, and there is someone called Black Rod who is neither black, nor is his name Rod. But all are vital to the day-to-day running of the British Houses of Parliament. The strange behaviour and rituals of the Members of Parliament and officials is based on traditions that go back to medieval times. We present our guide to all you need to know about the British legislative chambers.

2003

Olympiad

Poniżej drukujemy pierwszą część testów finałów XXIII Olimpiady Języka Angielskiego. W następnym numerze znajdziecie drugą część oraz klucz do wszystkich testów. Zachęcamy czytelników do nadsyłania odpowiedzi.

VOCABULARY

1999

Britain's Royal Affair

Who rules over England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales? Queen Elizabeth, of course! But besides being the richest woman in Britain and owning the most beautiful buildings, she's just a tourist attraction. It's the government and Parliament, and especially No.10 Downing Street, who write the rules.

2001

Letters to the Editors

Letters to the Editor

Thanks to everyone who sent in entries to our SMS Poetry competition.We only have space to print a few of them. We also have had many suggestions to our Top Ten Love Songs of All Time. We receive many entries by e-mail these days, without home addresses accompanying them. So, if you see your name here then please send us your home address details and we will send you a CD as a prize.

4 U, TIGR

IT FEELS SO GUD
IT FEELS JUST GR8
2 WATCH U ENTR
MY G8

2003

BackWORDS

There are many uses of the word 'back'. We have selected the most common compound words and phrases used in everyday conversation to help you understand their meanings.

BACKBREAKER - any work or job which causes backaches, such as moving furniture, digging in the garden, etc. " Carrying bricks for the new barbecue was a real backbreaker ." Also," Carrying bricks was real backbreaking work."

BACKLOG - a build-up or accumulation of something, usually work. " When Harry returned to the office after a week's sick leave, he had a huge backlog of work."

2000