Teachers' Library

The feedback today on the post below about me writing a book blew me away! Really! I feel so humble now.  Because I felt so inspired, I got the intro done and I would like to share it with you. I decided to go for the most popular choice as well: To have it in a diary form. What I mean by that is rather than have a continuing story (especially in a novel structure), It would be much easier to have a few pages focusing on a particular theme. I believe it suits my style so much more and, to be honest, I'm too sarcastic to write a novel.  Bear in mind it's the first draft, but this is the style I plan to stick with. There might be a few typos as i've been through it a couple of times but i'm already tired. So i might have missed something.  Anyway, tell me what you think if you'd like. And remember guys: this book is for all of you And you can throw your ideas for the title of it))

It seems I struck a chord with my posts about my experiences in Russia, this country which I so truly love and everything about it!!! (Except Kvas - you can all keep that for yourselves! And why drown a salad in it???) I have a million things to write about: many points I haven't even shared on social media. I actually wrote a book before but never published it because after reading it sometime later, it seemed too primitive. Having spent almost 13 years here, I think it's the right time to share my experiences and opinions as there would be a high degree of maturity and better understanding of the people and country around me.  ❗But I need your help ❗ I am not sure about the format of the book. I would love to know what you think and would prefer. So here are the options: 👉🏻 1) A kind of diary where each chapter deals with a particular theme (this gives scope for a second book). So I could have chapter 1- At Russian airports 2- Kefir 3- In Russian restaurants you can always ...

In the UK it is technically illegal to post a letter with the stamp upside down. The reason is the monarch – Queen Elizabeth II – is on the stamp. Technically it’s considered an act of treason, which was usually punishable by death. Despite the UK repealing the death penalty in 1965, the punishment for treason was only changed from death to life imprisonment in 1998. The 1848 Treason Felony Act outlaws any offence intended to "deprive or depose" the Queen of the "imperial crown of the United Kingdom" but makes no mention of stamps. Stick a stamp upside down and your gas bill payment or family postcard might be late but it will not get you in trouble with the law. Other bonkers laws which have been enforced at some point include it being illegal to die inside the House of Parliament. The Earl of Chatham nearly broke this law in 1778, when he collapsed during a debate in the House of Lords. The idea seems to be tied up with another parliamentary myth - that anyone who...

Some of Britain's most famous faces share how they struggle against the endless capacity for social awkwardness which comes with being British.  ◕ At Christmas ◕ Non-Stop Compliments ◕ Meet the Parents ◕ Have a Nice Day ◕ Buying a Round of Drinks  ◕ Gifts ◕ Public Transportation ◕ Tipping ◕ Toilets ◕ Haircuts

Hello my dear friends 😊 For those of you who still don't know, I am English! Was born there, grew up in and around London, went to school and uni there! I was 100% English! Having been in Russia for almost 13 years, I have lost some Englishness and after my very recent visit to my parents and friends, my feelings were confirmed: Yep, much less English and more Russian! And here are some reasons why 😁 👉🏻 CAN'T DO SMALL TALK ANYMORE  There is an art to small talk: knowing what to say and how to say it. The timing, length, not getting too personal, asking questions and complimenting back etc. Small talk defines us as a British people. But now when I engage in it, I am the creator of awkward silence, I don't ask questions back and when I feel I have had enough, I abruptly say "Bye!" I just can't act anymore. My small talk now, for example, between a neighbour and myself: - "Oh Paul, long time no see, glad to see you back here!" - "Thanks!" ...

If you're looking for a celebration that's a little off the beaten path this year, check out our list below of 5 unique New Year's Eve traditions around the world. 🎄 Do you have any special traditions in your family or among friends? Share with us!  ● 1. Eating Grapes in Spain  Get your New Year's health resolutions off to a good start, thanks to the Spanish tradition of eating 12 grapes, one for each stroke of midnight. It's harder than it sounds (people even practice for it), but if you're successful, tradition says you'll have a year of prosperity.  ● 2. Smashing Plates in Denmark  Smashing things against someone's house might be considered bad luck — but in Denmark, people hold on to chipped dishes and glasses all year just for New Year's Eve. That night, they go around to the homes of friends and family and smash them against their front doors. The more shards you have on your doorstep the next morning, the more popular you are! ● 3. Jumping Se...

Good morning my friends. When my students started making jokes at British scientists many years ago, I felt those jokes were slightly uncalled for. My older sister, for example, is close to finding a cure for arthritis at her institute in London (That's true by the way). Mind you, I did some casual internet surfing on articles related to recent scientific findings... I now understand the jokes...😢 For example (these are my own creation but you get the point): - "Scientists in London at the University With Too Much Time On Its Hands have discovered that it takes 47 Mentos to choke a duck." - "After 2 million pounds of government subsidies, scientists from the David Beckham Institute have concluded that eating 5 portions of fish and chips a day can lead to obesity and a reduced life span."  - "A prominent British zoologist who spent 5 years studying behavioural patterns of lions has discovered that lions do in fact sleep a lot."  💪But Britain isn't...

Hi guys. You all know how much I love Russia and sometimes like to write about my take on aspects of life in your country, well, here's my experience at Russian airports and on board planes with you guys) Enjoy)🤗🤗🤗 1) When you arrive early to check in, you shouldn't bother thinking, "Oh, this ought to be quick. There are only 3 people in front of me." Wrong! No! Take those three people and multiply that number by 20 when they invite all their friends and relatives to join them at the front of the line. So if you see three people in front of you, check in will take a good hour. 2) Russian airports are actually very efficient compared to many European ones I've been to. Going through passport control with my visa and paperwork is fast and harmless. So good job Russia. But I beg security officials at passport control at Russian airports: a little tiny non-miserable life-ending I-hate-all-these-people-i check smile would go a long way to say "Welcome to Russia...

Yorkshire Pudding This dish is not usually eaten as a dessert like other puddings but instead as part of the main course or at a starter. Yorkshire pudding is made from flour, eggs and milk, is a sort of batter baked in the oven and usually moistened with gravy. The traditional way to eat it is to have a large, flat one filled with gravy and vegetables as a starter of the meal. Then when the meal is over, any unused puddings should be served with jam or ice-cream as a dessert. Toad-in-the-Hole (sausages covered in batter and roasted.) Similar to Yorkshire Pudding but with sausages placed in the batter before cooking. Fish and chips Fish (cod, haddock, huss, plaice) deep fried in flour batter with chips (fried potatoes) dressed in malt vinegar. This is England's traditional takeaway food or as the US would say “to go”. Fish and chips are not normally home cooked but bought at a fish and chip shop ("chippie" ) to eat on premises or as a “take away”.

Some of Britain's most famous faces share how they struggle against the endless capacity for social awkwardness which comes with being British. ◕ Greetings ◕ Saying Goodbye ◕ Avoiding People ◕ Feelings ◕ Double Speak ◕ Insulting Your Friends ◕ Education ◕ Holding the Door ◕ Accents ◕ Texting