Gangnam Style - The British Version!

Have you seen the famous South Korean rap artist, PSY, perform Gangnam Style? It has been a Youtube sensation and has a dance routine that is being copied all around world!

'The phrase "Gangnam Style" is a Korean neologism that refers to a lifestyle associated with the Gangnam District of Seoul. The song and its accompanying music video went viral in August 2012 and have influenced popular culture since then. "Gangnam Style" is considered by some to be a worldwide phenomenon, while others have praised "Gangnam Style" for its catchy beat and PSY's amusing dance moves in the music video and during live performances in various locations such as Madison Square Garden, The Today Show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and Samsung commercials.'[1]

People are now beginning to make their own video to the song, posting it on Youtube. One British Gangnam Style parody video that has gone viral was made by a York University student. See the original below and click here to see the York University student's version!

The English Premier League - The Best in the World?

In almost every country in the world, it's virtually impossible to get through a day without hearing someone mention the latest footballing news.

The English Premier League, closely followed by the Spanish 'La Liga', is arguably the most talked about league in the world. You could be in a country thousands of miles away and find supporters of all ages and nationalities sporting the latest Manchester United or Liverpool kit.

Did you know that Oxford also has a football team? While Oxford United is not exactly a top flight  side, they are still rather entertaining to watch, perhaps for the wrong reasons, though.

However, back in their hey day, Oxford United used to be a top class team. In 1986 they won the Milk Cup (the equivalent of the Coca Cola cup). Hopefully the glory days will return soon.

If you're in Oxford for a few weeks, why not check out their home fixtures and make a trip to the Kassam Stadium!

Click on the image below if you're interested.

Get Your Tash Out, It's Movember!

Over the last week you may have noticed the emergence of some unusual facial hair amongst the male population. Is this the latest trend in male fashion? Or is it a means to ward off the winter chill? Whilst in a handful of instances this may be the case, the likelihood is they are sprouting these furry specimens for a more altruistic reason.

Handle-bar, curly, pencil and military are just some of the wacky styles of moustache being sported around the country to raise money for male health – in particular for prostate and testicular cancer. Those taking part begin with a clean-shaven face on 1st November, then for the entire month of November they must grow and groom the perfect tash.

As the wife of just such a ‘Mo Bro’ I can’t say that I am too fond of the furry friend appearing on my husband’s upper lip, but at the end of the day, it’s all for charity. So, whether you love it or hate it, embrace the ‘mo’ and raise money for this great cause!

Check out the official Movember page below for more info:

Has Political Correctness Gone Mad?

Think of any English person you know. Have you noticed that they are reluctant to talk about certain subjects? This is probably due to a covert form of censorship that has taken Britain and its inhabitants by storm.

In every culture there are taboo subjects that people try to avoid - some of the more common examples might be religion, race, gender and sexuality. But the British just take it one step further. Even mentioning something that could be seen as making reference to the aforementioned subjects is a risky business, for fear of offending someone. So let's keep away from them.

One example that springs to mind is that we are no longer able to use the word 'brainstorm' (which means to gather ideas), as it is deemed to offend epileptics. Instead you should use the word 'thought shower'. God forbid should you ever be caught singing Britain's epic nursery rhyme, 'Baa Baa Black Sheep', for risk of being called a racist. For more political correctness gone mad, have a click on the image below, because quite frankly... I don't want to offend anyone!

Monumental Day, Monumental Men..

Today is a monumental day in American politics. Obama has successfully been re-elected as president of the United States. This was met with a very positive reaction by all of the staff and students at OISE Oxford. Of course, here at OISE Oxford, we are extremely interested in political leaders. After all, 26 of Britain's Prime Ministers were educated at Oxford University. Interestingly enough, 50% of Britain's 26 Prime Ministers attended Christ Church College, a stone's throw away from our school (see map below):

But if you're thinking it's only British leaders that were educated at Oxford, think again. Bill Clinton also studied here, along with leaders from India, Japan, Trinidad and Tobago among other countries. And let's not ignore the fact that several of OISE Oxford's legendary tutors studied among the great world leaders at Oxford University. 

Hurricane Sandy – Not All Bad News for Teachers

One of the lessons the students here at OISE enjoy most is the News Review, which takes place every morning at 8.45. Is an opportunity to them to listen to, watch and discuss the most important news events of the day. And of course this week there is one story which is dominating the headlines – Hurricane Sandy. This afternoon New York has been declared a major disaster area, after storm Sandy smashed into the US East Coast, causing flooding and cutting power to millions. The students have been glued to the images of the destruction Sandy has caused and the conversations at coffee break and lunch time have all been about the people have New York and the difficulties they are facing.

However there are one group of people who are very excited about the story of hurricane Sandy and they are……… the OISE Oxford teachers. Of course all of our teachers are concerned about the people of New York too but they are always focused on our students here at OISE and the story of Hurricane Sandy has provided them with wonderful teaching opportunities this week. The teachers are always eager to use authentic materials in their lessons, as they believe this benefits our students far more than course books and so they have been using radio clips, newspaper reports and videos to teach are students grammar and vocabulary all connected with the shocking story of the super storm.

Some teachers are using the story as an opportunity to look at the use of alliteration and puns in newspaper headlines, for example ‘Super Storm Sandy’ and “Frankenstorm". Other teachers are using the story to teach vocabulary which is useful to understanding all disaster news stories. Words like ‘aftermath’, ‘casualties’ ‘fatalities’ and ‘death toll’ are being used with ease by the students now when discussing the developments in the super storm story each day.

So as they say, every cloud has a silver lining and while hurricane Sandy continues to wreak havoc in the US our teachers here at OISE are looking on the bright side and using the story as a wonderful teaching tool.

The name's Bond, James Bond!

Smooth, silky, sexy, seductive, suited and booted - there's only one man that springs to mind, it's Bond, James Bond! The 23rd Bond movie is out on the 26th of October. Whether you're into the gadgets, the girls, the colourful villains or the quips, you're sure to be in for an absolute cracker!

Since the release of the first Bond movie, this iconic figure has grown to be a national treasure. Six different Bonds have graced our screens over the last 50 years and everyone has their favourite - whether it be the dashing Scot, Sean Connery, the smouldering Pierce Brosnan (grandma's favourite), or the most recent spying hunk, Daniel Craig.

The last time Bond visited Oxford was back in '97. He was focusing on Danish at the time, so unfortunately he didn't pay OISE Oxford a visit. Sit back and enjoy the trailer.

The Great British Flat Cap

Walking the dog, in the pub, collecting the kids from school, on your bike, but never indoors, the Flat cap is probably the most traditional form of headwear that British men, aged 30-60, love to sport. 

Once, the flat cap was the standard headgear of the working-class man, while middle-class men opted for the trilby, and the bowler was the almost compulsory uniform of the gentleman in the City of London.

Few Englishmen nowadays wear any sort of hat. The flat cap - extended beyond its original social range - is the only one which has really survived.

'The style can be traced back to the 14th century in Northern England namely Grimsby and parts of Southern Italy, when it was more likely to be called a "bonnet", which term was replaced, except in Scotland, by "cap" before about 1700'[1]

An Oxford Dinner Winner

Food glorious food,
Food, glorious food!
Hot sausage and mustard!
While we're in the mood --
Cold jelly and custard!...

Food is indeed glorious and Britain is home to great, hearty foods which are perfect for our grey and cold Autumn days. At OISE Oxford we are great fans of traditional British fare such as the Sunday roast, Bangers and Mash, Beef Wellington, Steak and Ale Pie, Fish and Chips, Toad-in-the-hole to name a few. These filling foods are a perfect treat at the end of a chilly day!

Today, I will be cooking toad-in-the-hole, a particular favourite. I will be following Nigel Slater’s recipe which recommends skinless sausages and a couple of added extras… I bought my sausages from the historical Covered Market just by OISE Oxford at lunchtime. I hope this will be a dinner winner with all my friends.

We would also recommend this as the soundtrack while preparing this delicious meal

Please be in touch with samantha.bardsley@oise.com for more British recommended food recipes.
Author: Samantha Bardsley

The Loch Ness monster, Britain's greatest monstrous mystery!

Where does this monster live?

Loch Ness is a large, deep, freshwater loch in the Scottish Highlands extending for approximately 37 km (23 mi) southwest of Inverness.

What on earth does it look like?

Shape: long neck; horse-like head; humped back (one or two humps).
Color: dark or elephant gray.
Weight: estimated 2,500 pounds.
Length: 15 to 40 feet.

'A scientist has spent four painstaking decades studying the loch best known for the creature affectionately known as "Nessie". Why does this mythical monster hold such fascination for so many people?'

Click on the image below to read more:

Is being naked a basic human right?

Let us begin by giving a definition and some synonyms of the words 'naked' and 'nude':

Definition:

Naked (adj) - Being without clothing or covering

Nude (adj) - Naked or unclothed, as a person or the body.

Synonyms:

uncovered, undressed, unclothed

Legal Position:

'While it is often accepted in western countries that a naked human body is not in itself indecent, the circumstances of its exposure, and any offence caused to others, may be deemed offensive or disorderly. That principle is reflected in depiction of the human form in art of various forms. This is the position, for example, in Germany and Spain, although local laws in the latter country can stipulate that public nudity is either restricted or not permitted. In Barcelona public nudity used to be regarded as a recognised right, although there have been successful prosecutions for public nudity even there and a local ordinance by the local council in May 2011 empowers the authorities to impose a fine for nudity and even being bare chested. In the Netherlands public nudity is allowed on sites that have been assigned by the local authorities and other suitable places which effectively means any complaint will cause one to be arrested as a complaint is indication that the place was not "suitable". The law in the UK, Under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 it is not an offence to be naked in public in England and Wales.' Source: Wikipedia

While in the UK it is not technically illegal to be in the nude in public, using nudity to "harass, alarm or distress" others is an offence against the Public Order Act of 1986.  One man who is putting these laws to the test is the UK's famous Naked Rambler, Stephen Gough, who for the last 6 years has refused to wear any clothes at all. Please click on the image below to read more:

What are your views? Should Mr. Gough have the right to walk around in the nude? 

Please click on the image below to read more: