Is it OK to lie to your children?

Even the most respectable parents have done it. When faced with a stroppy child who refuses to cooperate, nothing seems to work so effectively as a little white lie. Whether it’s threatening to leave them behind or dob them in to Father Christmas, a recent study of families in the United States and China has revealed that the overwhelming majority of parents lie to their children as a tactic to change their behaviour. But are we setting a good example?

According to a survey of 3000 parents commissioned by The Baby Website, the top 10 lies we tell our children are:

1. Father Christmas only comes to good little children (84%) 
2. Father Christmas only visits children who go to sleep (81%) 
3. Sitting too close to the TV makes your eyes go square (60%) 
4. Spinach makes you strong (48%) 
5. If you cross your eyes, the wind will change and they'll stay there (39%) 
6. An apple tree will grown in their tummies if they eat apple pips (27%) 
7. If children play with their privates too much, they will drop off (25%) 
8. The ice cream van only plays music to let children know it has run out of ice cream (22%) 
9. Eating crusts will put hair on your chest (22%) 
10.The police arrest children who swear (20%)

Whilst I am sure that most of us would not claim to have been permanently scarred by our parents’ fibs, the study, published in the International Journal of Psychology, raises the longer-term issue of the impact on families of such opportunistic approaches to the truth. It suggests it could influence family relationships as children get older and raises "important moral questions for parents about when, if ever, parental lying is justified". Are we simply teaching our children how to lie?

Sources: www.bbc.co.uk/news/education and www.dailymail.co.uk

Top 10 Christmas Films of All Time

As Christmas draws ever closer (just 2 weeks to go!), many of us will begin our winter hibernation by snuggling up on the sofa to watch some familiar festive films. Courtesy of LoveFilm, here are 10 classic Christmas movies guaranteed to get you in the mood whilst teaching you some essential Christmas vocabulary:

 

It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

Based on the original story of The Greatest Gift, written by Philip Van Doren Stern, this five-time Oscar-nominated drama, directed by Frank Capra, is revived every year in time for Christmas. The story of George Bailey (James Stewart), who comes to understand the importance of his existence and the true meaning of the love of his family and friends - with a little help from his guardian angel (Henry Travers) - was initially regarded as flop, due to high production cost and limited box office return. But with its universal themes and uplifting spirit it has truly become a Christmas classic.

 

The Muppets Christmas Carol (1993)

In 1992, Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol received Jim Henson’s Muppet treatment. Michael Caine excels as grumpy Ebenezer Scrooge, with Henson’s puppeteers pulling the strings, Kermit the Frog steps into Bob Cratchet’s shoes, while Gonzo (and mate Rizo) joins the fun as one of the film’s narrators. Like It’s a Wonderful Life, it failed to ignite the box office upon its release – failing to compete with Home Alone 2 and Aladdin - but had tremendous success on VHS (and continues to do so on DVD).

 

Scrooged (1988)

The second A Christmas Carol adaption on this list, Scrooged sees a cold-hearted Bill Murray getting to grips with the ghosts of his past, present and future, only this time there’s a modern twist. While The Muppets version retains the traditional settings and characters of Dickins’ novel, Scrooged relocates to New York where television executive Frank (Murray) is working himself into an early grave, until he learns the true meaning of Christmas.

 

Home Alone(1990)

The two-time Oscar-nominated Home Alone is a firm Christmas favourite. This action-packed adventure deserves its place on the list for its family-orientated fun and cheeky humour. The story sees an eight-year-old (Macaulay Culkin) left home during Christmas time, to fend off two burglars. Writer John Hughes enlisted friend and former colleague John Candy for his comedic input into the film – with a Planes, Trains & Automobiles inspired performance.

 

The Nightmare before Christmas (1993)

Tim Burton’s stop motion fantasy film, The Nightmare before Christmas, shows off imaginative storytelling and captivating animation. Burton’s story, takes place in "Halloween Town" filled with ghosts and ghouls, who embrace the idea of transforming their settlement into "Christmas Town". Disney decided to release the film under Touchstone Pictures due to its darker themes. Burton discouraged the idea of a follow up, remaining very protective of this film as a standalone original.

 

Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

The original Miracle on 34th Street, written and directed by George Seaton, is a classic Christmas tale about the existence of Santa Claus – however, unlike his mythological persona the actual Kris Kringle is living in New York and working in a department store. Starring Natalie Wood and Edmund Gwenn, this iconic film has spawned several remakes – most recently the 1994 adaptation, starring Richard Attenborough. Seaton’s film is ninth on the American Film Institute's 100 Most Inspiring Movies of All Time.

 

Elf (2003)

In 2003 Will Ferrell stepped into the oversized shoes of his alter-ego Buddy the elf. An overzealous Buddy soon realises he’s not like the rest of Santa’s little helpers (his adult size, is a pretty big hint), and heads for the big apple to find out where he’s from. Elf’s jovial sense of humour and slapstick comedy garnered favourable reviews. The film greatly exceeded its production value making over $200 million at the box office, worldwide.

 

Die Hard (1988)

Guns, bombs and terrorists aren’t usually associated with Christmas, but there is an exception to every rule. Action-thriller Die Hard sets a festive scene. It’s the office Christmas party and there’s plenty of Christmas cheer, that is, until terrorist (Alan Rickman) spoils the fun. Richard Gere was considered for the role, but Bruce Willis clinched the part as John Mclane, sealing his fate as one of Hollywood’s most explosive actors of the time.

 

Gremlins (1984)

Inspired by scuttling mice in his loft, writer Chris Columbus caught the attention of producer Steven Spielberg with his idea of Gremlins. When a boy receives a pet at Christmas he breaks three simple rules, unleashing these hellish little critters on an unsuspecting town. Gremlins accompanied Ghostbusters at the box office, as a new genre of comedy/horror films introduced in the 80s. It is a staple for Christmas viewing, offering an alternative to the stereotypical festive films shown.

 

The Snowman (1982)

This British classic makes its way onto this list accompanied by a famous song. Based on a children's book by author Raymond Briggs, The Snowman was adapted into 26 minute animated film by Dianne Jackson for Channel 4. Absent of any dialogue, the film is famous for its haunting rendition of Walking in the Air, scored by Howard Blake and sung by choirboy Peter Auty. The Snowman was nominated for an Academy Award in 1982.

 

Source: http://www.lovefilm.com/features/top-lists/Top_10_Christmas_Films



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Will the Americans soon be speaking British English?

Ginger, sell-by date, go missing and chat up are all 'Britishisms' that are increasingly being used in conversation by the Americans. While some argue that for non-British people to use these terms sounds completely absurd, there are a growing number of American citizens that are embracing this trend. Click on the graph below to see more examples of these 'Britishisms'.




'Kory Stamper, Associate Editor for Merriam-Webster, whose dictionaries are used by many American publishers and news organisations, agrees that more and more British words are entering the American vocabulary.

She sees this as clearly tied to the publication in the US of the first Harry Potter book. Dozens of words and phrases were changed for the American market, but ginger slipped through, as did snog (meaning "to kiss amorously") - though that has not proved so popular.

We are not seeing a radical change to the American language, says Jesse Sheidlower, American editor at large of the Oxford English Dictionary - rather a "very small, but noticeable" trend.

Bill Kretzschmar, professor of English at the University of Georgia, makes a similar point - that while the spike in use of some British terms may look dramatic, it is often because they are rising from a very low base. Most are used "very infrequently", he says.

And it is not so much the masses who use these terms, says Geoffrey Nunberg, as the educated elite. Journalists and other media types, like advertising agencies, are the worst offenders, in his view'

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-19670686

Warming Beverages for the Weekend

As we get deeper into winter, it is natural to turn to warming drinks for comfort and cheer.  At this time of year the great British pub starts serving a super selection of warm drinks for the discerning punter.  My winter favourites include mulled wine, hot spiced cider and eggnog.  

Indeed, at the weekend to embrace the cold weather and as an offering to a Thanksgiving celebration I decided to make eggnog.  The result was rather mixed...  

Eggnog is a popular drink throughout the United States and Canada, and is usually associated with winter celebrations such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year. 

The origins and the ingredients used to make the original eggnog drink are debated. Eggnog may have originated in East Anglia; or it may have simply developed from a medieval European beverage made with hot milk. The ‘nog’ part of its name may stem from the word noggin, a Middle English term for a small, carved wooden mug used to serve alcohol.  The British drink was also called an Egg Flip.  It was during the 18th century when the drink crossed the Atlantic to North America.

I somewhat followed a combination of two recipes.  It consisted of milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla extract, brandy, rum, nutmeg and also many lumps – which were not included in the original ingredient list.  The lumps I thought added extra texture, but sadly were not to everyone’s taste.  For future attempts I will consider using a sieve.

This weekend I would recommend to all readers to make a warming beverage as the temperature is set to plummet.  Here is a very handy list provided by BBC Food.  At OISE Oxford, we look forward to hearing the results.

Have your Cake and Eat it!

Whilst British cakes may not have the world-renowned reputation of the French patisserie, they are nonetheless a delightful, and I would say essential, addition to the British diet. Not long ago we did a feature on the afternoon tea and no afternoon tea is complete without a good slice of cake to accompany a steaming cup of tea. As a huge cake fan myself (and I really would be huge if I ate all of the cakes in this blog post), I feel it is my duty to share the very best of British cakes with you so that you too can experience the pleasure of these delicious delicacies. Here are some of our favourites:

The Bakewell Tart (voted by Sam, our Client Manager)

I had the pleasure of visiting the birthplace of this specialty whilst visiting the quaint Derbyshire town of Bakewell, not far from my university in Sheffield. Mr Kipling put icing and a cherry on top of this shortcrust pastry treat, but the Bakewell pudding (a puff pastry and almond paste delicacy) is thought to have been made as a mistake by the cook of Derbyshire landlady Mrs Greaves who misunderstood her instructions.


The Scone (voted by Will, former Sales Executive)


A traditional choice, the humble scone is a must-try for anyone educating themselves in English specialties  Traditionally served topped with jam and clotted cream, the scone is of a bread-like consistency and originates from Scotland. Simple but tasty.



The Eccles Cake (my choice)

This lesser known treat is ram packed with flaky, buttery pastry and currants and can sometimes be topped with demerara sugar. It is named after the English town of Eccles in Manchester.





You may also like to try:- Victoria Sponge, Battenburg, Lemon Drizzle, a Chelsea bun, a Welsh cake or a Fondant Fancy.

Dig in!

Weird and Wonderful Words from the Scrabble Championships

Nearly 10000 online viewers were glued to their computer screens last Saturday as the ultimate board-gaming event of the year came to its exciting climax when Paul Allan seized the title of British Scrabble Champion from his opponent Allan Simmons with the winning word ‘bandura’, a type of Ukrainian lute (86 points).

It’s a game that has caused many a family feud and sibling squabble and yet Scrabble remains a firm favourite in many households all over the world.

The game was originally invented in 1938 by out of work architect Alfred Mosher Butts during the Great Depression in America. Initially called ‘Criss-cross Words’, the game combined the vocabulary skills of crossword puzzles and anagrams, with an added element of chance. It is now available in 29 languages with around 150 million sets having been sold in 121 different countries.

For those of you who enjoy a good board game, Scrabble is the perfect way to put your English vocabulary to the test and learn some new (and slightly obscure) words along the way. Why not try out one of these lesser-known words of the English language that were played during the final of this year’s Championship:

Aecia: A fruiting body of a rust fungus

Atigi: A type of parka worn by the Inuit in Canada

Bandura: Ukrainian lute

Coniines: Alkaloid that makes up the poisonous part of hemlock

Enew: Falconry term for driving a bird into the water

Erev: The part of the day or the day immediately preceding the Jewish Sabbath or a Jewish holiday

Evet: The common newt

Jingo: A vociferous supporter of policy favouring war, especially in the name of patriotism

Khis: Plural of khi, the 22nd letter of the Greek alphabet

Litu: Plural of Litas, a former silver coin and monetary unit of Lithuania

Ny: To approach

Qat: variant spelling of khat, an Arabian shrub whose leaves are chewed as a stimulant

Swarf: Fine chips or filings of stone, metal or other material produced by a machining operation

Ugh: Used to express disgust or horror

Vela: Plural of velum, a glass screen

Zeds: Name of the letter Z, plural

Source: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/national-scrabble-championship-the-big-match-won-by-the-playing-of-a-ukrainian-lute-bandura-86-points-8919939.html

Remember, Remember…

Remember, remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder, treason
Should ever be forgot...

If the British bonfire night traditions leave you stumped then hopefully this well-known 17th century rhyme will give you some clue as to what all the fuss is about.

On this night in 1605, Guy Fawkes and his cronies famously tried and failed to blow up the Houses of Parliament with several dozen barrels of gunpowder, putting the life of King James I in peril. As a result of this treason he was sentenced to the cruelest form of execution – being hung, drawn and quartered, and people commemorate the failed Gunpowder plot to this day.

The rather gruesome tradition of burning effigies of Guy Fawkes is gradually dying out but not so the fireworks displays and bonfires which will be taking place all over the country this week. So if you happen to be in Oxford this Saturday, why not join in the festivities and head down to South Parks where yet another spectacular fireworks display will be lighting up the Oxford skies? Gates open at 5pm.

'Take the biscuit'

OISE Oxford has a prime position in Oxford – nestled within the historic Covered Market. Our students have the opportunity to explore a whole host of unique shops and cafes, a particular favourite of ours being “Ben’s Cookies”. Crisp on the outside with delightfully soft and chewy middles, their cookies are a must-try for any peckish OISE student.

“Ben’s Cookies” have been making cookies since 1983.  The original store is in Oxford’s Covered Market where they still bake cookies every day. “Ben’s” was founded by Helge Rubinstein, author of The Chocolate Book and many other publications and an ardent chocoholic.

The cookies are sold by weight and can be bought individually or packaged in bags, boxes and tins, each bearing the logo created by Quentin Blake, the well known artist and first ever children’s laureate.  They make great Christmas presents for chocolate fans!

Ben’s Cookies currently has ten stores in the UK and a selection worldwide, which is perfect for certain students returning home.  On a recent visit to South Korea I met an OISE Oxford alumnus who said his favourite thing about Seoul was the “Ben’s Cookie” store in Gangnam!

How to be British

What are some typically British characteristics that make us who we are?

Telegraph:
'Talking and direct eye contact are banned on British public transport.The only acceptable activities are reading, listening to music and playing games on your smartphone. If you attempt to converse with someone on public transport in Britain, it will be interpreted as a request for money.'

Guardian:
'Ask a British person for a date, and they are more likely to hand you a dried fruit. British people do not date. They pull. This rather more ­violent verb conveys the more chaotic ­approach to romance than you might have known in your home country. The British method of coupling is as follows: go to a party, get extremely drunk, drunkenly kiss someone you have been making eyes at for some time but obviously never spoke to ­because you were sober then, go home with them, move in with them the next day, marry them.'

BBC:
'As any self-respecting Brit will tell you, there is not a lot that a cup of tea can't fix. Rough day at work? Put the kettle on. Broken heart? Pour yourself a cuppa. Alien invasion? You'll be ready for an apocalypse as soon as you've had your brew. But it's not all so straightforward. Choosing how to take your tea is a deceptively complex task - it's almost a political statement. Black with lemon immediately identifies you as a frequenter of Sloane Square, daaaaahling. Lots of milk and more than three sugars? You must be a builder - we'll assume you want a fry up on the side. If you take your char(coal) with minimal milk and maximum brewtime, we'll know you were born and bred up north, pet. Even new-fangled inventions such as camomile, peppermint and dandelion tea have their place in society (among new age hippies). The British relationship with tea is so important that employers have traditionally allowed their staff tea breaks to enjoy some alone time with their beverage of choice. We even have a mealtime named after it. So you see, tea is more than a drink to us Brits - it's a way of life. Phew, I'm feeling rather emotional after that - now, where's my mug?'




How would you describe a typical British person?

Jane Austen Gets a Makeover

Jane Austen is one of the most celebrated British authors of all time, known for her witty and insightful novels about love, relationships, and society in the context of early 19th-century England. Although her novels did not receive much recognition during her lifetime, she now has millions of fans world-wide. Her six completed novels have all been made into popular TV series and Pride and Prejudice is often voted the nation’s favourite book.

But if the idea of wading through the rich language of 18^th/early 19^th century literature doesn’t quite do it for you then never fear! Each of Jane Austen’s novels are about to receive a 21^st century makeover as part of ‘The Austen Project’, an initiative by publisher Harper Collins. As part of the project, six bestselling authors will write their own take on Austen’s classic novels. Joanna Trollope is the first to take on the challenge, bringing Facebook, iPods and premarital sex to Barton Cottage. Here are the novel/author pairings that have been decided so far:

‘Sense & Sensibility’ - Joanna Trollope

Joanna Trollope has been writing for over thirty years she is the author of seventeen highly acclaimed contemporary bestselling novels including, most recently, The Other Family, Daughters In Law and The Soldier’s Wife. She has also written a study of women in the British Empire, Britannia’s Daughters, and ten historical novels published under the pseudonym Caroline Harvey.

‘Northanger Abbey’ - Val McDermid

Val McDermid is a Scottish crime writer, best known for a series of suspense novels starring her most famous creation, Dr. Tony Hill.

‘Emma’ - Alexander McCall Smith

Alexander McCall Smith is a Rhodesian-born British writer and Emeritus Professor of Medical Law at the University of Edinburgh. He is most widely known as the creator of the The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series.

‘Pride & Prejudice’ - Curtis Sittenfeld

Curtis Sittenfeld is an American writer and is the author of four novels: Prep, the tale of a Massachusetts prep school; The Man of My Dreams, a coming-of-age novel and an examination of romantic love; American Wife, a fictional story loosely based on the life of First Lady Laura Bush, and Sisterland, which tells the story of identical twins with psychic powers, as well as a number of short stories.

‘Persuasion’ and ‘Mansfield Park’ are still up for grabs!

Joanna Trollope’s Sense and Sensibility is now available to buy but unfortunately you will have to wait until 2014 for the other 5. Click here to go to the Austen Project website.

A British Obsession: The Weather

The British are fascinated by the weather.  It’s a typical feature of daily small talk for all.  Popular phrases peppering daily conversation include:

 “It’s breezy today!”, “There is a chill in the air”, “It’s just tipping it down”, “It’s blowing a gale”.

“Do you know what the weather will be like today?” is one of the most well-used weather phrases.  And indeed, the weather forecast plays a significant role in the UK.     Michael Fish MBE is one the UK’s best know British weather forecaster.  He became infamous in the wake of the Great Storm of 1987.  On 15 October 1987, a few hours before the storm hit, he infamously said during a forecast: “Earlier on today, apparently, a woman rang the BBC and said she heard there was a hurricane on the way... well, if you're watching, don't worry, there isn't!”. That evening, the worst storm to hit South East England since 1703 caused record damage and killed 18 people.

The UK is often characterised as a damp and windy island with unusually changeable weather. Recent weather here has done little to dispel this impression.  This week heavy downpours and gale force winds caused flooding across the South West.  There are warnings that five inches worth of rain, the equivalent of one month's worth, would fall.  Scotland too is experiencing heavy rain and strong winds, causing flooding and transport disruption.

The Oxford Dictionaries blog have compiled a list of unusual meteorological terms to describe some very specific weather conditions. So, next time you want to join in weather small talk consider using one of the following words:

airish
Now chiefly Scottish and U.S. regional (south. and south Midland). Of weather: cool, fresh, breezy, chilly.

dreich
Scottish. (especially of weather) dreary; bleak.

letty
Now English regional (Somerset). That lets or hinders. Chiefly of weather: making outdoor work difficult; rainy.

maumy
Scottish and English regional (chiefly north.).  Mellow; soft and insipid; (of weather) mild, humid.

mizzle
Chiefly dialect. Light rain; drizzle.

mochy
Scottish and Irish English (north.).Damp, moist. Of weather: damp and misty; muggy.

How Important is Pronunciation for Non-Native English Speakers?

Keeping on yesterday's theme of pronunciation: do you think it is important for foreign speakers of the English language to attempt to speak in an "English" accent, or is it only important that one is understood? 

It is clear that learners don't have to speak like the Queen to be understood. Arguably what is most important is that the communication is efficient, and if that means attempting to make one's English accent sound more neutral, and therefore understood by more English speakers and learners, then so be it.

'The real key to having good pronunciation is what we call ‘comfortable intelligibility’. In other words, the person or people listening to you should be able to understand what you are saying with minimal strain. This is something completely different from losing your accent entirely.'1

Are you a non native English speaker? If so, we would very much like to hear your views on this topic.

For more tips on how to improve your pronunciation, take a look at the pronunciation section of our online Language Lab page.

An Insiders' guide to Oxford

The Guardian provides a very thorough insiders guide to Oxford from those who know it best, including the opinions of Philip Pullman, Colin Dexter and Richard Dawkins.  

The Guardian's guide selects 11 highlights from which OISE Oxford have chosen 5 which particularly receive our seal of approval.

1) OPEN-MIC NIGHTS AT THE CATWEAZLE CLUB...

take place along the kaleidoscopic Cowley Road, where there is an array of places to eat, drink and listen to music -  it has blues nights, jazz nights, reggae nights.  Brian Briggs, lead singer of indie band Stornoway recommends that "It's the ultimate open-mic night. Poets and mandolin players share the stage with beatboxers. You're not battling with people standing at the bar; people go there to listen. It's where we started as a band and we still try out new material there."

OISE Oxford recommends you arrive early to guarantee yourself a seat, otherwise you will have to sit on the floor sometimes with or without the benefit of a cushion - not ideal for those with bad backs or long legs.

2) CHORAL MUSIC IN CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL...

is a regular feature on OISE Oxford's cultural activities programme.  It is a chance to enjoy excellent choral music and to see inside the magnificent Christ Church Cathedral.  Colin Dexter points out that "Oxford is known everywhere for the excellence of its singing. Go to hear Christ Church choir. They are absolutely first class."

3) SAILING PAST PORT MEADOW...

has yet to feature on our cultural activities programme, but a leisurely walk around Port Meadow and taking in a drink at the excellent pub, The Perch, does.  Port Meadow, mentioned in the Domesday Book, is an expanse of common land that has great views of Oxford, and a place to relax and watch grazing cattle below vast spans of open sky.  It is a perfect picnic location.

4) PUNTING UPSTREAM FROM MAGDALEN BRIDGE...

is very popular during the summer with OISE Oxford's students.  It offers the chance to view Magdalen College Tower, the Botanic Gardens and the unspoilt Christ Church Meadows from inside a punt - often more relaxing for those sitting than those who are attempting to punt!

5) CYCLING AND COFFEE AT ZAPPI'S BIKE CAFE

Cycling is the preferred method of transportation for many in Oxford, it offers the chance to navigate Oxford with ease and speed.  Zappi's bike cafe is located in central Oxford, off Cornmarket Street.  It is great for bike and cafe enthusiasts.  Flavio Zappi, former Italian pro-cyclist, claims it serves the best coffee in town.  OISE Oxford claims it does a very good toastie.

Read the full Guardian article here.

The British and their Pigs

Do you like pigs? It seems that the British public absolutely love them. Let's not forget how many different types of pig there are, including the Gloucester Old Spot, the Berkshire and the Tamworth. Then there's the Middle white, the Large Black and the Large White.

The British are not the only ones with a penchant for pigs. American celebs such as George Clooney and Paris Hilton keep pigs at home. Click on the picture below to read more:

Travelling to Oxford could be about to get a whole lot easier!

Some of our readers may be unaware that there is an airport in Kidlington, about 7 miles from the centre of Oxford. Flights go to/from Edinburgh, Dublin, Belfast and the Guernsey Islands.

But it doesn't stop there. 'More plans have been unveiled for a new four-runway airport in south Oxfordshire, too! The airport includes a terminal for 125 million passengers a year, a hotel and an eight-platform train station.

An estimated 720,000 flights could operate from the airport annually which is expected to cost about £18.2bn to develop.

The proposal is one of 50 put forward, with a shortlist due to be compiled later in the year.'

Watch this space..

 



Source: www.bbc.co.uk/news

 

Takashi, OISE Oxford's Tennis Supremo!

The word around the OISE Oxford block was that we had a pro tennis player in town. His name: Takashi Kawamura. Takashi first started playing at high school, following a 5 year bout of severe illness. He was introduced to the game by his mother and brother, both of which were and continue to be keen players.

After playing for his high school, he then entered St. Pauls University, Tokyo, where he was made 1st team captain. While in those days baseball was the most popular sport (closely followed by football), St Paul's prided itself on the tennis team, which started over 95 years ago. We thought it would be interesting to ask Takashi a little more about his tennis career:

Q. When did you start playing professionally?
A. I started playing professionally when I left university. I started working for a big IT company, and was soon asked to play for the company tennis team. In Japan, some employees are hired only to play for the company team. The company pay you a basic salary, and then on top of that they give you money for playing, travelling, event registration, coaching etc. Of course, at the tournaments, the company's name and logo are sprawled across your shirt. Many of the players stay with a company for two years and then move on. Fortunately I was hired for my academic achievements, and so the tennis was just an added bonus for them.

Q. What are you best at? Serving, forehand, backhand?
A. You would be surprised. Of course the very best players have everything, but the main thing at all levels, I would say, is to be fit, mentally and physically. For the two years that I played for my company I was extremely fit. It took a lot out of me. Training during the weekends and then games and tourments during the week, as well as work!

Q. Who is the best player you have ever played against?
A. It has to be Mitsuru Takada, at the time one of Japan's top 10 players. Yes, he was very good, an ATP player.

Q. What was the score?
A. 0-6, 1-6, he laughs.

Q. How do you see the future of Japanese tennis?
A. Well, I think tennis is certainly becoming more popular. This is partly thanks to Kei Nishikori,
Japan's current number one and #11 in the world seedings. He is doing very well at getting the youth of our country engaged in the sport. I think Japanese tennis has a bright future. Who knows, it may overtake baseball soon!

*Note: OISE Oxford's Academic Assistant, Karol Bucky, and fellow student Mikhail thought they would challenge Takashi and another student to a doubles match at the grass courts in North Oxford. It was clear that Takashi was of a different calibre. "He was strong and played very elegantly," said Karol.

Student Spotlight with Luis 'El Torero' Oloriz

At OISE Oxford we are fortunate enough to meet students from all around the world, many of them with very interesting stories to tell. The Student Spotlight sessions that we post on this blog allow us to share these stories with you. So far we have had a Florist from Italy and a famous actor.

Today's Student Spotlight session was with 37 year old Luis Oloriz, a bullfighter from Ondarreta, a small Spanish pueblo near San Sebastian. At first sight you wouldn't think that Luis was a bullfighter. He has a slight build, soft calm voice, and not a hint of bravado about him. His bullfighting name was, rather appropriately, 'The Slim One from Ondarreta  (El Finito de Ondarreta . It's hard to imagine him in the ring with a 300-400kg charging bull. So here is the interview:

Q: When did you start getting into bullfighting?
A: I started about 10 years ago, just as a hobby. A local farmer friend of the family had a field and some bulls and said I could give it a go, and so I thought why not try it. It was soon apparent that I was actually quite good and I was encouraged to partake in a proper bullfighting event.

I should add that in Spain there are two types of professional bullfighters, a Torero and a Matador. Toreros fight more on a local level with slightly smaller bulls and the Matadors are, if you like, the equivalent of the football Premier League footballers, with only 12 Matadors in the whole of Spain.

Q: Do you still fight?

A: No, I gave up about a year ago. But I miss it and would like to start again. At my level, it's not really a profession that provides enough income to live from. Most Toreros, right down to the younger age groups will study and/or train at the same time, as well as having a day job.

Training takes a lot of dedication. It is great for teaching the young ones to stay focussed. To improve, not only do they have to keep fit, but they also have to read up on the sport and remain committed. All of these are useful qualities for later on in life. Furthermore, bullfighters usually come from the small rural villages where there's not much to do, so it's fantastic to keep them active.

Q: What's the scariest moment?
A: I would say right at the start. In any given day there will usually be around 5-6 fights, and only just before the start of the match do they tell you which bull you will be fighting. Obviously they vary, weight, size of horns, aggression etc. Once you've agreed to partake in the event, no matter how big and ugly that bull is, there's no turning back, otherwise no one will involve you in the next one.

If the bull charges through the red cape without stopping, you're OK. If it hesitates before, that's when you've got a problem, as he might turn his horns towards you. You have to keep the cape moving while keeping your body still.




Q: It must be quite a feeling to know that everyone is cheering you on?
A: Well, to be honest I am not really concentrating on the crowd, but the big bull in front of me. I do enjoy the adrenalin, though, and I particularly enjoy the personal challenge. While you are part of a team, out there in the ring you are alone, just you and the bull.



Q: How many spectators will attend a bullfight?
A: Well around 10,000 spectators come to watch the Matadors, and 3,000 to watch the Toledos.


Q: So people must recognise you in the street?
A: Yes, of course. While the Toreros may have a smaller number of spectators, people come from all across Spain to watch us in the ring.



Q: Bullfighting is quite a controversial topic in Spain. What are you views?
A:Well, in Spain I think it's less to do with animal cruelty and more to do with political reasons. Many see bullfighting as being a typically Spanish tradition, and they do not think of themselves as Spanish, rather Catalan, Basque, Galician etc.





 

What to eat when it's hot hot hot..?

When the weather is hot, there are certain recipes that just won't do. For starters, you can forget (hot) soups, stews and Sunday roasts. What you want is some jamon serrano over cold honeydew melon, or chorizo with bread and freshly whizzed gazpacho. And of course BBQs, lots of BBQs!

While the English aren't famed for their culinary abilities, we do still have a few tasty numbers up our sleeves. Here are a few summer recipes that some of Britain's top chefs have created:

1 - Lemon and herb marinated salmon skewers:

This marinated salmon recipe is a fantastic way to barbecue salmon in the summer. Salmon is a wonderful lighter alternative to the usual meats that grace a barbecue grill, and Marcello Tully's recipe really makes the salmon shine.

2 - Mackerel, tomato and samphire salad

This elegant mackerel salad recipe is a perfect dish to serve up as a light main or starter in the summer months. The fish in this salad is paired with tomato and samphire, with a warm mayonnaise which uses reserved tomato stock. Nathan Outlaw is known for his wonderful fish and seafood dishes and this mackerel recipe is another example.

3 - Asparagus and chervil quiche

It is a magnificent spring starter for when asparagus is in season and the inclusion of Parma ham is a classic combination. This asparagus quiche recipe would work well in a summer picnic or with a seasonal summer salad.

If you like the sound of these dishes and fancy giving them a go at home, click on the image below for their full ingredients and guidance on how to make them!

How Important is Pronunciation?

It is argued that 'Historically received pronunciation* signified a higher social class than a local accent [...] That was why Margaret Thatcher moved from a Lincolnshire accent to sounding like the Duchess of Devonshire'.1

Another very public figure who has clearly tried to change the way he speaks by having elocution lessons is David Beckham. Compared with 10 years ago, he now sounds like a different person, 'from pure cockney to something approaching received pronunciation'.1

British politicians also change the way they speak, often to hide their privileged backgrounds, in an attempt to reach out to the lower social classes. Just recently, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, while speaking to a group of workers at a supermarket warehouse, began speaking with an estuary accent. This was a suspicious transformation from a man educated at Eton then Oxford University.

How important is pronunciation? Do you believe that people should try to make a concerted effort in the way they pronounce their words? 

*Received Pronunciation, or RP for short, is the instantly recognisable accent often described as ‘typically British’. Popular terms for this accent, such as ‘The Queen’s English’, ‘Oxford English’ or ‘BBC English’ are all a little misleading. The Queen, for instance, speaks an almost unique form of English, while the English we hear at Oxford University or on the BBC is no longer restricted to one type of accent.2 

Word Overuse, Boredom Alert!

The English language is full of colour, range and diversity, with more and more words being added every day.

'The Second Edition of the 20-volume  Oxford English Dictionary contains full entries for 171,476 words in current use, and 47,156 obsolete words. To this may be added around 9,500 derivative words included as subentries.'1

Why, therefore, when we have so many words to chose from, do we use the same words over and over again? Let's break this mould today and, wherever possible, try to make use of a synonym. Click on the image below to read the 10 most overused words in the English language - then try to think of some alternatives!