Menu
28/07/2005
BBC launches 'soap' to help teach English
BBC World Service is to launch an online soap opera aimed at English language learners around the world.
‘The Flatmates’, which begins on August 1, features a multi-cultural cast of young people who share a flat and live, work and study in the UK.
Visitors to the website - www.bbclearningenglish.com/flatmates - will be able to read and listen to the latest episode as many times as they like.
The soap will enable listeners to learn at their own pace as well as participate in a vote to decide what happens next to the flatmates.
A language point from the episode is also highlighted, so visitors can tell the BBC what aspects of vocabulary, grammar or pronunciation they would like to learn and they will also be able to test their knowledge with a quiz.
The writer and producer of the series, Nuala O’Sullivan, created the new interactive drama to appeal to active learners who want to be in charge of their own learning. She said: “Online is a fantastic way of learning English because people can go at their own pace and interact with the web in a way they want to, at a time that suits them.
“We also know from experience that participation in learning helps make it fun and the more people participate, the more effective the learning.
“The Flatmates appeals to people who also want to learn English as it is lived and spoken, rather than as it is sometimes taught in more traditional text-books. It engages learners, enabling them to interact directly with the characters and to help shape the everyday life storylines through an online vote.”
(KMcA/SP)
‘The Flatmates’, which begins on August 1, features a multi-cultural cast of young people who share a flat and live, work and study in the UK.
Visitors to the website - www.bbclearningenglish.com/flatmates - will be able to read and listen to the latest episode as many times as they like.
The soap will enable listeners to learn at their own pace as well as participate in a vote to decide what happens next to the flatmates.
A language point from the episode is also highlighted, so visitors can tell the BBC what aspects of vocabulary, grammar or pronunciation they would like to learn and they will also be able to test their knowledge with a quiz.
The writer and producer of the series, Nuala O’Sullivan, created the new interactive drama to appeal to active learners who want to be in charge of their own learning. She said: “Online is a fantastic way of learning English because people can go at their own pace and interact with the web in a way they want to, at a time that suits them.
“We also know from experience that participation in learning helps make it fun and the more people participate, the more effective the learning.
“The Flatmates appeals to people who also want to learn English as it is lived and spoken, rather than as it is sometimes taught in more traditional text-books. It engages learners, enabling them to interact directly with the characters and to help shape the everyday life storylines through an online vote.”
(KMcA/SP)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
28 January 2008
BBC Trust Approve Gaelic Digital Service
The BBC Trust’s decision to approve proposals for a Gaelic Digital Service has been welcomed by Gaelic Media Service (GMS) and BBC Scotland. GMS and BBC Scotland will now begin the process of implementing their joint plans for the launch of the new service.
BBC Trust Approve Gaelic Digital Service
The BBC Trust’s decision to approve proposals for a Gaelic Digital Service has been welcomed by Gaelic Media Service (GMS) and BBC Scotland. GMS and BBC Scotland will now begin the process of implementing their joint plans for the launch of the new service.
30 January 2013
Census Shows 138,000 People Speak No English
Figures from the 2011 census have revealed that 138,000 people living in England and Wales could not speak any English. The 2011 census was the first to ask how well the population could speak English when it was not a person's main language. After English, the second most reported main language was Polish, followed by Punjabi and Urdu.
Census Shows 138,000 People Speak No English
Figures from the 2011 census have revealed that 138,000 people living in England and Wales could not speak any English. The 2011 census was the first to ask how well the population could speak English when it was not a person's main language. After English, the second most reported main language was Polish, followed by Punjabi and Urdu.
05 October 2012
One in Four People Prone To Using Text Words Instead Of 'Normal English'
A survey from SecurEnvoy has found that text phrases - such as C U L8r, LOL etc – have become so much part of our daily lives that one in four Brits claim they are Textlexic – prone to using text words instead of normal English.
One in Four People Prone To Using Text Words Instead Of 'Normal English'
A survey from SecurEnvoy has found that text phrases - such as C U L8r, LOL etc – have become so much part of our daily lives that one in four Brits claim they are Textlexic – prone to using text words instead of normal English.
20 May 2014
Simon Andrews Dies After North West 200 Crash
English biker Simon Andrews died on Monday after suffering fatal injuries in an accident in the fourth lap of the North West 200 in Portrush on Saturday. The 31-year-old, from Evesham, Worcesterchire, was treated at the accident scene and airlifted to the Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital where he was placed in intensive care.
Simon Andrews Dies After North West 200 Crash
English biker Simon Andrews died on Monday after suffering fatal injuries in an accident in the fourth lap of the North West 200 in Portrush on Saturday. The 31-year-old, from Evesham, Worcesterchire, was treated at the accident scene and airlifted to the Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital where he was placed in intensive care.
20 January 2014
Labour Lay Out Skills Expectations For JSA Claimants
Labour have called for all new claimants to meet a basic skills standard in order to qualify for benefits. Under the plans people making a new claim for Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) would be expected to take a basic skills test, involving English, maths and computing, within six weeks in order to qualify.
Labour Lay Out Skills Expectations For JSA Claimants
Labour have called for all new claimants to meet a basic skills standard in order to qualify for benefits. Under the plans people making a new claim for Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) would be expected to take a basic skills test, involving English, maths and computing, within six weeks in order to qualify.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A cloudy day with outbreaks of mainly light rain at times, although there may be the odd heavier burst. Driest in the south and east during the afternoon. Moderate southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:Staying cloudy throughout the evening and overnight period with a little rain or drizzle at times. Mild overnight with light winds. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
