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Languages
Understanding language and learning
Learning is understood broadly as any kind of activity, whether in a formal or informal context, that enhances an individual’s knowledge or skills in one way or another. The relationship between language and learning is approached in three ways: learning a language, learning about language and learning through language. This free course, ...
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History & The Arts
Living Shakespeare: Hong Ying on China and the sonnets
Shakespeare's sonnets were once banned in China and are now popular with the gay community. Hong Ying, author of ‘Daughter of the River’ looks at Shakespeare’s sonnets as they relate to sexuality and love in China.
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Languages
English: Language of opportunity
Do people that speak English receive better opportunities in life than those who don’t? How essential is fluency in English when pursuing an occupation in the current climate? In this collection we consider these questions in developing job markets such as Malaysia and China, amongst other countries. This series of films explores the ...
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History & The Arts
Global English
David Graddol explores how a language from an island on the corner of the continent went global
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Education & Development
Hinglish, Pinglish, Binglish, Minglish
The head of the Rewachand Bhojwani Academy finds the multilingualism of Indian society has positive advantages, even though it makes it harder to maintain standards.
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Languages
The Language of Comedy
How do we use language in comedy? What is the social importance of comedy? What are the techniques used with language to create different types of humour? This series looks at how entertainers manipulate language to generate humour, and what this reveals about the nature of comedy and its function in society. Featuring Henning Wehn, on cross ...
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Languages
Languages and Employability
Learning a language, or learning how languages work, can provide a key to the global workplace. In this video a collection of employers and employees outline the benefits that language skills bring to their companies and careers. There is a lot more to language skills than just learning to speak fluently. Inter-cultural communication skills open...
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Languages
Worlds of English
How has the English language spread internationally - and is the worldwide influence of English a cause for celebration or concern? How is it changing in response to social, cultural, and technological developments? ‘Worlds of English’ investigates these notions by looking at the expansion of English in China since the 1970s, how it is now the ...
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Languages
"I was so depressed yesterday..." - or were you?
Using phrases relating to mental health to add drama to your conversation can have unintended consequences, warns Zsofia Demjen.
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Languages
Year of the Pig: Chinese New Year
As the Chinese celebrate the Year of the Pig, why not learn how to write and pronounce basic Chinese words?
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Languages
Why is it dangerous when Trump sees people as objects?
Donald Trump has a habit, argues Jennifer Mercieca, of dehumanizing those he disagrees with - and that's dangerous.
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Languages
Parlez-vous Eurovision?
As English-language songs dominate the Eurovision Song Contest in its 60th anniversary, this article (written in 2015) explores why so many of the songs are sung in English.