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Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls: book review (A2)

Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls is for people who want something different from fairy tale princesses.   Here   you can read the stories of one hundred amazing women from the past and present.

Instructions

Do the preparation exercise first and then read the story. If you find it too easy, try the next level. After reading, do the exercises to check your understanding.

Preparation

We all know how fairy tales go. A beautiful girl waits for a prince to find her. Then she gets married to him and becomes a princess. But what if the girl was clever or strong instead of beautiful? What if she wanted to be an astronaut, a politician or a pirate instead of a princess? And what if she didn’t need a prince to do it? That’s the idea behind the book Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls . It’s a book of fairy tales with a difference: all the stories are true. The book tells the stories of one hundred amazing women from 1500 BC to today. But, the stories aren’t just boring biographies. Instead, they’re like fairy tales. You probably won’t know the names of most of the women but, when you finish reading, you’ll ask yourself why. Sometimes, it’s because people tried to remove them from history. Like Hatshepsut, one of the most important queens of Egypt. After she died, some men broke her statues and removed her name from documents. Other times, it’s because a man’s name became more famous. For example, Charles Babbage is called the ‘father of computers’ but a woman, Ada Lovelace, wrote the first computer program. Why haven’t we learned about these women before? Often history remembers men more than women. If you close your eyes and think of a war hero and a pilot, you probably think of men. If you read the book, those pictures might start to become women of all colours and ages. The women in the book did things because they wanted to and they didn’t listen when people told them not to. One problem with the book, unfortunately, is its name, because it gives the idea it’s a book for girls. It’s a great idea to show young girls what women can do. But the stories are also interesting for boys to read. And it’s also important that boys can think of women in jobs like doctor, Formula One race car driver and president. Not all the women included are ‘good girls’. One woman, Jingū, Empress of Japan, decided to start a war with Korea because of a dream. Is it a problem that the book doesn’t say that was a bad thing? Another example is pirates. The two women pirates in the book are unusual heroes because pirates were dangerous and they killed other people. It’s good to see a variety of women but why not show a bad ending to their story sometimes? We can understand that just because they’re female, they’re not always good people. You could read one story every night but you probably won’t want to stop with one. If you finish quickly, don’t worry because there are now two Rebel Girls books. The writers, Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo, found the money to make both books from crowdfunding on Kickstarter. In 2016 they got one million dollars from 13,454 people from 75 countries. For the second book, in 2017, they did it again. This time they found another $866,000. The first book sold a million copies in 36 different languages and the second book will probably do the same. 

Nicola Prentis

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British Council English Online Review

by Rebecca Salter

When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. However, this does not influence our evaluations.

British Council boasts the world’s best English teaching experts . Their English Online program lets you learn English online through high-quality courses and extra material like practice exercises that get you speaking English confidently. 

Though British Council offers children’s courses, English Online is specially designed for adult learners. Plus, it also caters to businesses and International English Language Testing System students (IELTS).

But, just how good is British Council’s English Online? And what are the best courses it has to offer? Can I get English Online for free? And if I’m not happy with my course, can I get a refund?

I decided to try the program out for myself to answer these questions and more in this British Council English Online review .

But first, here’s a quick overview:

Quick summary

• Three class types to choose from, including group/private/grammar specialisms
• Premium online exercises that you can do outside the classroom
• British Council badges and certificates
• Live classes and 24/7 support
• English placement test and goal options
• Renowned global organization

100% teacher-led interactive classrooms

Customizable lessons and timetable, self-study subscription option.

• 1-1 tutoring
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) prep classes
• Some classes, like IELTS, not designed for self-study (they require full class attendance to access additional course material)
• 100% teacher-led might be a con if you prefer self study

Best for: Adult learners looking to sharpen their speaking, reading, listening, and writing. Some courses are designed for businesses or IELTS students, but all learning paths are customizable to your goals. British Council covers A1-C1 English and offers a placement test to ensure you’re getting the right content.

Overall: British Council offers a fully customizable learning plan and timetable, with a free English placement test. English Online recommends the best teachers for your goals and also gives you extra materials. So, with these features in mind, British Council is a great first port of call for learning English effectively.

And now for the details. In this British Council review, I’ll cover:

• What English Online is and who its instructors are
• How does English Online work and how much does it cost?
• English Online free trial
• What a English Online course is like
• Best English Online courses and offers
• How I reviewed English Online
• What I liked and thought could be better
• Alternatives to British Council
• What others have said about British Council

Is British Council worth it?

So, let’s get started.

What is British Council?

British Council is an international organization dedicated to sharing education, culture, and English globally. 

With relationships in over 100 countries and reaching over 650 million people in 2021/22 alone, British Council’s global influence is undeniable.

Plus, with live and self-study classes 24/7 , British Council’s English Online program is worth checking out.

How does British Council work?

With a range of themes to explore, as well as live 1-1 or group classes, there are different options for learning with British Council. That being said, the first step toward learning is to book a class (your first is free!).

British Council’s classes are 100% teacher-led and interactive. This means you’ll be engaging with teachers and students. By the end of the class, you’ll also gain access to extra course material.

Along with group classes, there are also some other specialist class options:

• Live25 classes (free 25-minute lessons focusing on English grammar/pronunciation)
• Private classes (1-1 tuition from British Council’s expert teachers, with personalized feedback and end-of-class reports)

British Council is also unique in that it offers learning paths by “Theme.” For example, one theme is “Education and Training.” This is a section that houses multiple classes on education-based topics.

In short, British Council not only covers the building blocks of language, it further encompasses subjects like business, government, arts and culture.

Plus, British Council organizes its resources by proficiency level. This means, if you place as a B2/Upper Intermediate learner, you can filter blog posts by your ability and get only relevant content to help you improve your skills.

The great thing about British Council is that you can design your own learning. Whether you benefit from 1-1 tutoring, self-paced learning, or want specific resources like IELTS, British Council has it all. By setting your goals, English Online also tracks your progress to ensure you’re getting the most out of the platform.

To break it down, British Council’s English Online has the following options:

Each option is payable monthly and can be canceled at any time.

How to open a British Council account

Signing up to British Council is easy (and free):

• Click the “ Register ” button in the top right corner of the page
• Fill out your name , email address , and user details .

From here, you can head to the online Learning Hub where you can read free blog posts, watch videos, and discover British Council’s full range of online and face-to-face courses . 

With a subscription sign-up, you can book a free trial lesson (and you cancel anytime). Your profile keeps track of how many lessons you’ve taken, and you can chart this alongside your own hourly goals per week.

How much does British Council cost?

British Council offers three main subscription types for its teacher-led courses: 

• Silver ($88 per month)
• Gold ($143 per month)
• Platinum ($177 per month)

These subscriptions offer class credits to allow you to book classes (group/private). As you’d expect, Platinum offers the most class credits, but see below for the full details:

British Council’s Silver subscription starts at $79.20 for the first four months (then $88/month). This option grants you five lessons per month – all flexible around your schedule. With all lessons at the 55-minute mark, you learn 100% online with desktop/tablet options.

British Council’s Gold option starts at $129 for the first four months (then $143/month). With a doubled credit of 10 lessons per month, the Gold subscription also boasts a 7-day free trial. As with all three options, you pay monthly and can cancel anytime.

British Council’s top option for teacher-led learning, the Platinum subscription costs $159 for the first four months (then $177/month). This option grants you 15 class credits and even gives you access to premium content. As with the gold subscription, you also get a 7-day free trial.

British Council free trial

With British Council’s Gold and Platinum subscriptions, you get a 7-day free trial (during which you won’t be charged).

In this time, you have full access to the platform and its features. This means you can book group or private classes and engage with extra material like listening exercises and quizzes .

Through your dashboard, you’ll also have a record of the lessons/themes you’ve started, how many you’ve completed, and your progress level. If you’re interested in a particular theme (e.g. business communication or presentations) you can also book this as a private class.

In short, British Council’s free trial gives you access to all features available during your subscription. This means you can use your class credits for private, group, and Live25 classes. And if you’ve opted for a Platinum subscription, you can also start using the additional resources and smaller group lessons.

British Council refund

British Council does not offer refunds for its classes or for any classes missed. That said, regardless of the package you subscribe to, you can cancel at any time and avoid being billed for the next period.

Plus, with Gold and Platinum subscriptions, you can sign up for a 7-day free trial and not be billed if you cancel during this time. If you cancel a class within 24 hours, you also won’t get this credit back.

Can I buy British Council as a gift?

If you know someone learning or keen to learn English, British Council has gift vouchers available. With varying package options, you can give up to 12 class credits a month to friends or family.

Each package includes group/private classes , access to online materials , and specialist grammar webinars .

What a lesson is like

British Council’s teacher-led classes are 55 minutes long and either private or group-based. Because you can take a placement test or search by themes, British Council makes it easy to find a class that’s right for your interests and skill level.

So, when you’ve booked a class, you’ll gain access to the lesson’s pre-class prep material. This will outline the class goals and the content you should expect. From there, a lesson will typically include the following:

• Teacher-student introductions
• Listening and speaking exercises
• Reading practice
• Fill-in-the blank assignments
• Formal speaking assessments

Best British Council classes

British Council offers a wealth of classes in different categories. These are all to suit different learning goals and interests. That being said, the most popular categories include:

• Business Communication
• Money, Ethics and Social Responsibility
• Employment Matters
• Writing with a Purpose
• Education and Training

Because English Online tailors its courses to different goals, it makes sense that the most popular lesson topics reflect what English students most want to achieve from their classes.

So, below are some examples of the top classes in various categories, reflecting what most students want to apply from their lessons into the real world:

Top Business and Communication Classes

Presentations for International Audiences

Learn: How to give an English presentation for international audiences. In this class, you get to hear from three different speakers on the best tips for giving presentations to international listeners.

Who it might be good for: International business professionals seeking to improve their English communication and clarity.

Internships

Learn: How an interview between a student and HR manager unfolds. You’ll also read information on internships and learn persuasive language choices.

Who it might be good for: Anyone learning English for interviews – whether for internships, work, or college.

Top Money, Ethics and Social Responsibility Classes

Current Issues

Learn: To partake in an informal debate on ethical issues. You’ll also look at how to construct arguments and use opinion-based language.

Who it might be good for: College students or enthusiasts who are required to debate or present an argument as part of their course/job.

Learn: Persuasive language to help people donate to a particular charity. You’ll also discuss why people give to charity, and analyze different charity appeals.

Who it might be good for: Social/Ethic students or those interested in charity work. This is also a great lesson to learn transferable speaking skills.

Top Employment Matters Classes

Staff Induction

Learn: How to organize a staff induction day over the phone. You’ll listen to two colleagues discussing their induction day preparations. From there, you’ll brainstorm what needs to be included and will also learn useful language for telephone communication.

Who it might be good for: Professionals at management level or employees entrusted with organizing staff induction days. It’s also useful for anyone looking to brush up on telephone speaking.

Creative Decision Making

Learn: How to go about making decisions. You’ll also take part in a discussion, exploring different viewpoints and decision-making techniques. As well as this, you’ll also learn new words and phrases associated with “think” and “decide.”

Who it might be good for: Any business professionals entrusted with decision-making. It also teaches you transferable skills that you can use in a range of English-speaking scenarios.

Top Writing with a Purpose Classes

Someone I Admire

Learn: How to write a feature article. In this lesson, you’ll look at cause-and-effect language, idiomatic expressions, and how to describe people’s personalities.

Who it might be good for: English students who are looking to develop their written skills. This class is a great exercise for developing your reading and writing skills. It’s also helpful for students who are looking to write as part of their work or studies.

Crime Rates

Learn: How to write a summary of data in a graphic organizer. In Sainz’s class, you’ll learn how to write an English summary of data represented in a graph. By reading a crime statistics report, you’ll also work on adjective/noun collocations and relations-based language.

Who it might be good for: Anyone who works with data as part of their job or studies. This is a helpful course for expressing data relations in English as part of a report or presentation.

Top Education and Training Classes

The Education System

Learn: How an education system works and how to explain this in English. You’ll also plan a blog post or video on an education system (UK/US). By the end of the lesson, you’ll understand how these compare and how to articulate those comparisons.

Who it might be good for: This lesson is equally good for those looking to study abroad and for those simply looking to practice their writing/speaking skills. You’ll grasp how to explain differences and similarities, as well as comparing strengths and weaknesses.

School Days

Learn: How to evaluate, discuss, and make decisions. In this class, you’ll undertake several reading and listening exercises, then match students to a particular school based on their profiles. You’ll also learn to articulate information about different types of schools and their pros/cons.

Who it might be good for: This lesson is in many ways practical for real-life situations, but it's also helpful for anyone looking to improve their English comprehension by close-reading articles.

British Council for Business

For businesses and governments, you can book a free consultation with British Council’s English Online online. 

This helps to determine the best training path for your business. Once submitted, a member of British Council’s expert team will be in touch to recommend a customized package or assessment program.

As with its personal lessons, British Council for Business offers live online classes that focus on your business needs, bite-sized exercises, and customizable learning times tables to suit your workforce. You’ll also have a trusted partner supporting you through every step.

Who are the instructors?

British Council’s teachers are all highly qualified and experienced professionals. As teaching specialists, they’ve worked with millions of students from countries all over the world, with their quality monitored by a team of experts.

With British Council, you can book with a specific teacher, or – as they advise – take lessons from multiple teachers with varying dialects. You can also choose to learn 1-1 or in small groups.There are even IELTS teaching experts if this is the path you’re keen on.

What I liked about British Council

How i reviewed british council.

With a range of personal and group tutoring courses, English Online with British Council appeals to millions of learners all over the world. With that in mind, and with so many directions you can take, British Council is an abundant platform to explore.

That being said, I explored the platform with an open mind and with a range of proficiency levels/learning objectives in mind. I made sure to take into account varying goals, skill levels, and learning styles to see if this platform really has it all.

Led by the world’s leading English experts with around-the-clock availability, British Council’s teachers ensure you’re held accountable for your learning with pre-class prep, in-depth lessons, and out-of-class resources. So, this is a great learning option for those who don’t know where to start, or those who do best with a teacher-led learning path.

Plus, with group or private sessions available, there’s ample opportunity to practice your speaking and listening as close to a real-world scenario as possible. And, if you opt for private lessons especially, you get live, personalized feedback and tailored guidance on how to meet your goals.

One perk of English Online is that it offers 24/7 live learning and support. So, you don’t have to work around conflicting time zones or even sacrifice your personal schedule for classes. With LearnEnglish, there’s always availability regardless of what unsociable hours you’re free!

As a whole, the platform is also easy to navigate and you can search for classes with a range of filters. This increases your chances of finding a class that suits you – and if one is unavailable, there’s bound to be a convenient alternative.

British Council badges and certificates available

When you subscribe to British Council, you can collect badges and certificates for each course you complete. With these, you can showcase your personal and professional achievements to prospective employers and colleges.

While there’s a lot of focus on teacher-led learning, this isn’t the only learning path available on English Online. In fact, there’s a dedicated self-study subscription option for only $7 a month (with a 50% discount for your first month).

Of course, this lacks the personalized feedback and 1-1 teaching you get with the teacher-led options. But, if you’re more of a self-learner, this option is unrivaled. With it, you still get access to fun exercises created by English experts and you can earn certificates and badges as part of British Council’s global community.

1-1 tutoring available

If you do work best with teacher-led lessons, you also have further options within these classes. Namely, you can choose a group or private class (or alternate between the two). While group classes expose you to a range of accents and conversations, private classes are great for focusing on your own problem areas or goals.

So, if there’s a particular area you want to work on, British Council’s private tutoring grants you 1-1 real-time feedback and a whole hour of tailored learning. And, because you can choose your lesson style each time, there’s no need to make a permanent commitment to group or private lessons.

IELTS preparation classes

Another huge bonus for English Online is its IELTS coach. With specialized expert teaching and quantifiable results, English Online's IELTS coach course can get you the score you need.

So, with regular course discounts and led by the co-creator of IELTS, this specialist course gets you on track toward the band score you need. English Online's IELTS teachers have over 80 years’ teaching experience and 80+ million people have benefited from this course.

What could be improved

Some classes, like ielts, are not designed for self-study.

While self-study is a great option for many English students, some courses, like IELTS, really require the full commitment to the teacher-led classes. One drawback, for example, is that you must attend every IELTS class to gain access to the post-lesson material.

That being said, this is a specific course that understandably has stricter requirements than more casual learning. At the same time, this is definitely worth noting when choosing the course type for you.

100% teacher-led might be a con for some

As mentioned, British Council offers both self-study and teacher-led courses. But, there’s no real option to combine the two, and apart from supplementary pre- and post-class exercises, there’s very little focus on self-study.

Of course, if you’re more of a self-learner, it might just mean that the self-study course is best for you. But, at the same time, I definitely noticed a bias toward the teacher-led options, with British Council recommending as much group and teacher-led work on the platform as possible.

Who British Council is for

In short, British Council’s English Online Online is designed for anyone wanting to speak English with confidence. In particular, this applies to non-native speakers and focuses on learning English as a foreign language. As I see it, the platform is best for:

• English students looking to improve their reading, writing, and speaking
• Professionals who want to better articulate their ideas in English
• Anyone looking to use English as part of travel/relocation
• Businesses who want to equip their staff with advanced English skills

Tips to finding great courses

British Council’s English Online platform has a number of ways to search for courses. And, the more you browse, the more personalized your suggestions get. Here are a few ways to find the best courses for you:

• Browse the Themes section, which contain multiple topics and lessons within these
• Search by date , time , or even your favorite teachers
• Filter by group/private lessons , or your desired lesson topic
• Use your dashboard to find recommended , top , and upcoming lessons

Is British Council legit?

In short, British Council is legit. It's a registered charity and a non-departmental public body. Both on and outside of English Online, British Council strives to promote global cultural relationships and education standards .

2021/22 saw them provide online resources to over 70 million English language learners and teachers . As well as this, they partnered with over 200 countries and territories , and their revolutionary learning program, Connecting Cultures , is rolling out to Primary and Secondary Plus students around the world.

British Council alternatives

As great as British Council is, it’s still one of many English-learning sites out there. So, if British Council doesn’t seem like the best fit for you, there are plenty of options. For simplicity’s sake, I’ll name just a few:

British Council vs. Lingoda

One popular alternative to British Council’s English Online is Lingoda . Like British Council, Lingoda is a huge global platform with over 1,500 tutors and 24/7 availability.

But, while British Council has few pre-class resources, Lingoda has a stronger focus on interactive quizzes and resources outside of the platform. Lingoda also prompts you to choose a weekly maintenance level and tracks this on your dashboard.

In contrast to British Council, Lingoda also has far more lessons and courses available. On British Council, I found that there were days with no availability, whereas with Lingoda there was always something available.

Another key difference between the two is their official test prep options. British Council offers support for IELTS test prep, whereas Lingoda is affiliated with Linguaskill from Cambridge. So, if there’s an official test you’re planning for, this difference is worth considering.

Overall, Lingoda is the most well-rounded of the two. Namely, this is because it offers a good balance of class practice and out-of-lesson resources. British Council’s class preparations are very basic, and I even found that quizzes would freeze or time out.

That being said, if you benefit from group learning and like to be held accountable with 100% teacher-led lessons, then British Council is best suited to your learning style.

Beyond Lingoda, there are of course many other options still. Preply is a similarly-styled option, which even has a free blog and Q&A community. And, if you’re more interested in trying a one-off course, Coursera and Udemy have some fantastic options.

British Council -what others say

My aim here is to present the most fair and unbiased review of British Council’s English Online out there. So, I’ve searched for reviews both on and outside of British Council to get some honest opinions.

While the majority of reviews were positive, there were some that were dissatisfied with the emphasis on British, rather than American, English. This formed part of one student’s unhappy review:

If you have a background in American English or don’t understand the differences between the two, having your work marked as wrong because it doesn’t reflect British English can be annoying. In my opinion, this isn’t a huge problem, but sites like Lingoda or Preply definitely cater more to US English!

All in all, though, British Council’s English reviews were positive. In fact, some students claimed the classes were even as good as in-person lessons and praised their flexibility:

Evaluating British Council

Features: 24/7 live classes and support, 100% teacher-led interactive classrooms, expert teachers, badges and certificates, English placement test, and self-study subscription option.

Content quality: 55-minute audio-visual lessons, multi-level content including quizzes, reading, and listening exercises.

Content breadth: A1-C1 proficiency levels, 16 main topic sections with multiple classes in each.

Teachers: Expert mentors including the co-creator of IELTS.

Supporting materials: Free Live25 grammar webinars, pre- and post-class resources including articles, quizzes, and word games.

Payment and refunds: Self-study subscription at $7/month with teacher-led packages ranging between $88 and $177/month. Non-refundable classes and credits but anytime cancellation policy.

Support: 24/7 live support.

As is the case with most e-learning platforms, British Council’s worth really depends on your own goals and what you want to get out of it. Luckily, British Council teaches English as a foreign language for a range of proficiency levels and even builds topics around potential goals (e.g. work, travel, networking).

Not to mention that with British Council, you’ll be learning from a renowned global organization with the world’s expert English teachers. You also have the option for self study or a 100% teacher-led course.

That being said, British Council is entirely in English. So, you’ll be expected to read, write, and speak English from the get-go. If this seems a bit overwhelming for you, a taster class on another site such as Lingoda might be a better starting-point.

In my own experience, though, being immersed in speaking and listening is the best way to fast-track progress. And, with British Council’s subscription packages and progress charting, their English Online platform promises to do just that.

All in all, the best way to know whether British Council is right for you is by trying it out for yourself. And, with a 7-day free trial for Gold and Platinum subscriptions, there really is nothing to lose.

Related article: Best Vocabulary Apps , Best online IELTS courses , Best TOEFL courses

British Council English Online -Frequently asked questions

Depending on your subscription type and learning path, British Council can cost between $7 and $177 per month.

If you don’t enjoy what British Council has to offer, you can cancel at any time to avoid being billed for the next period. But, their English Online platform does not offer refunds.

Overall, British Council’s English Online has 16 main topics – under which you’ll find 6+ mini lessons.

Yes. If you’re opting for the Gold or Platinum subscriptions, these come with a 7-day free trial period. You won’t be charged until your trial period ends.

British Council offers digital badges and certificates for each lesson you complete. You can display these on your Facebook/LinkedIn profiles.

At the time of writing, British Council only offers English. However, it does have a range of courses for different age groups and goals (such as IETLS prep).

Rebecca graduated from King's College university with a first class honours in English Language, followed by a Masters' Degree in Eighteenth Century Studies.

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• Books and reading

2. Books or films?

Transcript item.

Jo : Hi, everybody. So I'm here with Kirk, and we're talking about the big question: which is better, the book or the film? What do you think? Kirk : I would say the short answer is the book, usually. Jo : The book? Kirk : Yeah. Jo : OK. Why is that? Kirk : I ... Well, there's just so much more background information, you can usually get some insight into what the character's thinking and feeling in a way ... Jo : Definitely, yeah. Kirk : Or, at least, it's more developed in a book than in a film. Jo : And does it happen to you where, like, if you've read the book and you imagined the characters in a certain way, sometimes when you see the film, you're just like, 'No!' Kirk : Yeah. Jo : 'That's ... That's not right!' Kirk : Yeah. No, though it's curious, then later on the film ... the character in the film kind of takes over— Jo : Yeah. Kirk : the character in the book, at least in my experience. Jo : Yeah, yeah, definitely. Kirk : Which I don't necessarily like, but that's the power of the films. Jo : Yeah. So why do we spend so much time watching films, then, if reading is better? Kirk : The million-dollar question. Yeah, I don't know. It's definitely true, I mean, even ... I watch more films and series than I do read, that's for sure. Jo : Mmm. It's kind of more entertaining when you're tired. Kirk : I think it is a lot easier and you can do it with other people as well, in a way that you can't do with a book exactly. Jo : Yeah, OK, that's true. It's more social. I feel like that's kind of unfair to films, though. I've seen some amazing films. For example, I recently really enjoyed the Dune film.  Kirk : Uh huh. Jo : It reminded me of the book, which is even more amazing, but it looked beautiful. Kirk : Yeah, I really liked it too. I was just relieved that it was actually good, because often books made or – sorry – films made of difficult books just don't come out very well. But I think they did a good job. Jo : Yeah, definitely. OK. Kirk : Well ... Jo : Well, shall we find out what our learners think? So, we're interested what you think about this question. Do you prefer to read the book or the film, or maybe both?  

Do you love reading? For some people, there's nothing better than a good book. You create a whole world in your head and imagine the characters for yourself. 

Or are you more of a film fan? Films look amazing these days, even at home. Maybe you prefer films for quick, visual entertainment?

Watch the video to find out whether Jo and Kirk usually prefer books or films. Then tell us what you think in the comments below!

What about you?

• Do you prefer reading books or watching films?
• Have you seen a film based on a book that you've read? Which one did you like more?

Well, for me I prefer reading book to watching film, because when reading a book there are a lot of details that film can't express. Plus, reading books helps me a lot in enwiden my imaginative skill.

• Log in or register to post comments

I partially agree with you sir. However, people tend to be interested in watching movies, generally speaking. Maybe because it is funny and not boring. Reading a book requires much concentration.

Hi there! This is a really difficult question because I love both books and films. I agree with Kirk when he says we can watch films together family or friends and it is easier than reading when we are tired. Nowadays I am watching more than reading. I have seen many films based on books and some of them I loved and some I did not. A movie based on a book that I really loved is Much Ado about Nothing by Kenneth Brannagah based on Shakespeare's play.

In my opinion, I prefer reading books, because not only I can read stories or history, but also I can learn new things such as languages, also it is good for having a good memory.

Hi Andres, I think you and @marcelobj make a really interesting point about considering the effects of books or films on us and our minds. Although we typically don't think of books as a kind of technology, they are -- they're just an old technology. We've had thousands of years of books and hundreds of years of books produced by the printing press and so we take their effects on us and on our society for granted.

With television and film, the technologies are only about 100 years old. We're still living through the effects, and with the introduction of streaming platforms, new ground is being broken.

I've heard some people link the introduction of the printing press with serious changes in society and even a series of wars for several generations after its invention. Today the world certainly seems to be unstable and I wonder how much technology is playing a role in this.

I'd say it's probably more the internet and its availability in our pockets than films instead of books. What do you think?

Kirk LearnEnglish team

I prefer reading books to watching movies because I can think, imagine the characters, the author's messages on my own.

Hi, I also prefer reading books to watching films. Reading boosts our concentration and focus. Besides reading books allow us self-observation and self-regulation.

I like a moment when I read a good book and I drink a good coffee. It is a big relax for me. I like books of The second war of world with story ( The tattooist of Auschwitz). I like the book: Me before you. The book is better than film.

realy i prefer to read abooks, rather than films

Well, for me for a long time it was the films but as I read more and more books I would definitely now say Books over films. Because in books characters are build really really slowly and that determines in which directions the story will go. But in films the characters are right in front of your eyes from the very beginning, so they take away much of the suspense and substance from the story. So in that way I say books. And also books feel much more engaging to me now than they used to earlier. Especially the classics by Dostoevesky and Don Quixote.

If you have asked me this question 10 to 15 years ago, my answer definitely would be books. But, now a days life has become quite busy so I prefer watching films. On the other hand, I think by reading books your mind can get more insights regarding characters and feelings.

Hi Ahishba,

I think I'm similar to you, and used to read more a few years ago ... I don't seem to find the time to sit down and read a book unless I'm on holiday. It's so easy to flop in front of the telly and watch a film. Saying that, I love going to the cinema to watch films! I just love the whole occasion. The big screen, the adverts leading up to the main film, eating popcorn (I rarely eat popcorn!), the hush that comes over the room when the film starts and then I really enjoy chatting about the film, on the way home, with whoever you went with! I need to take time out to read. Do you remember the last book you read? What sort of books do you like to read?

~ Tinaツ LearnEnglish team

Books or Films? For sure, in the book, it is easier to get some insight into what the character is thinking and feeling.

I would suggest "Into the Wild" by John Krakauer: it is a true story. The main character, Christopher, is leaving his comfortable life and he is going off into the wilderness. He is not doing that because he needs to survive, but trying to find himself away from the burden of society. I saw the film based on this book. If the book is full of maps and real pieces of writing from Chris, so you can feel his real emotions along the journey; on the other hand, the film is well - structured with a fantastic soundtrack played by Eddie Vedder. Could I know what the LearnEnglish team thinks about this book?

Hello User_1,

I'm afraid I haven't read the book, but I did see the film. I thought the film was really good -- his story is so compelling and interesting, and of course tragic.

Hello Kirk, Many thanks for sharing your comment.

I think that reading books is more important for mental health that's why I'm trying sometimes to read books in the staff of watching film but the problem is reading books takes a lot of time then watching films so when I want to enjoy in watching films I usually prefer the one based on history or real stories to learn more and more about life.

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Big thanks to the British Council for…

Big thanks to the British Council for the knowledge and enhancement in my English proficiency. I'm deeply grateful to my teacher Iryna Bakaliar. Her teaching approach is impressive, and her passion for educating others is truly noticeable. Thanks to her guidance, I now possess a substantial amount of knowledge that I can confidently apply in my professional activities and daily life.

Date of experience : April 10, 2024

British Council is amazing

British Council is amazing ! I have an amazing amazing experience with BC and my kids too! As in Italy as in Uk BC offers top quality , often my kids attended English courses at BC in Italy ! The offer on line and in class is very interesting and the staff gentle ! Professionalism is on top !! Roberta Messina

Date of experience : January 05, 2024

Grateful to British Council

I am very pleased with the English course, our teacher is very patient and encourages us to participate, the planning has been fulfilled as expected and I see that I am making progress.

Date of experience : April 04, 2024

Huge disappointment

Huge disappointment I mostly take private lessons. There are some good teachers, but many others are not attentive and show little interest in what I'm talking. Also the subscription system with flexible date of expiry/charge is very confusing and I ended up wasting hundreds of dollars. Despite the reputation of British Council, I can tell the service is of the least quality among three online English school I've tried.

Date of experience : February 28, 2024

Reply from British Council English Online

Dear Yuto, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. We're truly sorry to hear about your disappointment and the frustration you've experienced with our subscription system and some of our private lessons. At the British Council, we pride ourselves on providing high-quality language education and customer service, and we are sorry to learn that we fell short of your expectations. We understand that the flexibility of our subscription system, designed to cater to the varying needs of our students by not binding them to a fixed schedule and allowing them to study at their own pace, can sometimes be confusing. We appreciate your input as it is crucial for us to continually improve our services and ensure clarity and transparency. Regarding your experiences with our teachers, we strive to ensure that all our teachers are attentive and engaged, providing a supportive and effective learning environment. We take your comments seriously and will be looking into this matter further to ensure our teaching standards are consistently upheld across all our lessons. We hope to have the opportunity to restore your faith in our services. Please feel free to reach out to our Customer Support team with any further comments, concerns, or suggestions you wish to share. Kind regards, British Council English Online Team

Had a 9.0 band yet I am displeased...

I wrote the IELTS Academic exam in 2017 and got an 8.5 band. Wrote the general training this year and got a 9.0 perfect band score. I sincerely don't get why the result should have a 2 year validity manacle. With all humility, it's borderline ludicrous to opine that one's prosodic, semantic and syntactic grasp of a language would attenuate over a 24 month timeframe, to such degree as to make exigent a revalidation via a standardised test.

Date of experience : February 21, 2024

Great time with British Council , James Shambrook and Jude Harrison

Amazing teacher James Shambrook ❤️ I had a great time, I had a lovely people in my language group , fantastic lessons and also a very professional career coach Jude Harrison who did a lot for me. I really appreciate her support and patience, because unfortunately I was not the best and not the most punctual student. She is an incredible woman who helped me so much with my adaptation in UK Even after finishing the couching course, she continues to keep in touch with me and help me. I am very glad that I met these wonderful people in my life. Kind regards, Olha Ahel Marani

Date of experience : February 12, 2024

Doulingo is much better than this

They care too much about money. Lesson are not worth it. You will learn (and retain specially) more lenguaje and skills with the free doulingo app. Costumer service is very bad as-well. They just copie and paste the “politics” to the chat. Very expensitfor what they provide

Date of experience : March 18, 2024

Hello everybody from British Counsil!

Hello! Well, i’m just a little bit dissapointed, because i didn’t know that if you take the self learning courses you don’t get a diploma, and you get only badges. But it’s ok..i will take more courses and get better. I’m very pleased of the teachers, they are very good with what they are doing.

Date of experience : March 09, 2024

A humble Request

I I am not a very good student and my memory is not very good. I forget everything very quickly. Actually I have to manage housework and study altogether. I used to sleep only 3 hours a night. So I had to work hard and appear twice. That's why I request you kindly make this exam little bit easy because it is very expressive and I don't think it helps us in future. That's why this time I am hopeful and requested that kindly give me a favor in the form of 7 bands.

Date of experience : January 27, 2024

Hello, I have decided the English courses .It's my courses expected this courses past last months ago started so, may be it date and time I'm not sure thank you?

Hello, I have decided on the English course certificate at university. It was my expectation so fulfilling I, thought that it was due to some practice and. Homework. Don't worry manager, the important is the report suddenly why did, you tell me what it means was a report from Mary Christmas do enjoy it and have a good day thank you very much.

Date of experience : November 12, 2023

I love the type of material

I love the type of material, besides, the way how you evaluate us is adequate because if I do not understand anything I can check the answers. Just one think I would like a class in which someone could explain me certain doubts I have.

Date of experience : November 27, 2023

My opinion about BC

British Council English Online help me a lot to feel more confident in english speaking. Before having class with them I made long pauses to find the best sentences or words but today this decreased. Only sometimes this kind of situation happen. Furthermore, the teachers don't be afraid to correct me and give feedback. Also they motivate you to go ahead. I strongly recommend them.

Date of experience : June 14, 2023

I think it's very convenience to learn…

I think it's very convenience to learn English from British Council self-study course online. I can manage my own time and approach to the course from anywhere.I usually train my English via the online course and maybe plan to take an IELTS exam soon.

Date of experience : October 25, 2023

My experience with British "My experience at British Council Council"

My experience with British Council Online has been very favourable.Hoffers you the opportunity to practice you English wihte people from all over the world.It's teachers are very dinamic,empathetic and highly trained.The class topic are very enriching and different,helping you in this way to develop your skills and put them into practice. And devolep fluent British English.You can take classes from anywhere in the world.You can choose your own classes in group or private one to one.And you also receive an English certificate upon completing each topic.I really appreciate this teaching plataform.I highly recommned British Council Online.

Date of experience : September 18, 2023

I had A1 English test in pakistan with…

I had A1 English test in pakistan with British council. in test results there is no feedback or section marking just written fail. It is very un-professional if one don't like you he/she can fail you. I think british council should make and observe their standards especially with pakistani staff and with complete feedback.

Date of experience : September 01, 2023

Dear Arbab Ahmad, We had a look at your case and we saw that this is related to a local test. Please be aware that this review is not correlated to English Online - the online English course offers of the British Council. We did forward your feedback to the team in Pakistan and asked them to get back to you directly. Kind regards, the English Online team.

British Council English Online is the path to personal growth

There is an expression - how many languages ​​you know, so many times you are a person. Knowledge of the languages gives us the opportunity to gain new information, reach a new level of communication, culture, our existence as a whole. English helps you better understand people outside your country. And also get a new job, improve your skills as a specialist. I enjoy learning English with the British Council. British Council English Online is the best course that I know! I study every day and get inspiration, good mood, new perspectives. It's great!

Date of experience : March 31, 2023

English is not a choice right now

English is not a choice right now, after pandemic age we need move to remote jobs and we are exposed to international jobs and English is vital and the minimum tool to increase our experience. Thanks BC, for me you are my first attemp to receive formal education to learn this language! I'm going improve each day my english level. Thanks a lot!

Date of experience : January 04, 2023

I consider it such a great opportunity…

I consider it such a great opportunity for anyone who wants to improve his English! It’s amazing how easy it is to connect with people coming from all over the world. You truly understand how this beautiful language rules the universe and lets us all interact!

Date of experience : September 16, 2023

very interesting and relaxing learning

Thank you for the material provided, I got a lot of knowledge after following one theme that I took. added to my enthusiasm to continue learning English, in this lesson I got many things. can be acquainted with friends from other countries, sharing with each other. awesome, thank you so much

Date of experience : August 01, 2023

Flexible, accurate, clear, user-friendly and very helpful

I was struggling to enroll in an IELTS preparation course because of my work shifts. I was keen on preparing for IELTS with the British Council because there is a lot of controversy elsewhere on whether certain approaches were acceptable in the IELTS exam. Thankfully, IELTS Coach is here: it is flexible, it is organized by a provider I can trust, and it connects me with expert and friendly teachers. Thank you, British Council!

Date of experience : September 23, 2023

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Harry Potter film review

Have you seen any of the Harry Potter films? Practise your reading in English with this film review.

Do the preparation exercise first. Then read the text and do the other exercises.

Preparation

Film review: the harry potter film series.

The Harry Potter film series is famous all over the world and is loved by children, teenagers and adults. It's based on the books by JK Rowling. The first film, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone , was released in 2001. The whole series consists of eight fantasy films. In each film the main character, Harry, is played by Daniel Radcliffe.

The story begins when 11-year-old orphan Harry discovers that his parents were wizards and he starts his education in magic at Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. There he makes two close friends, Ron and Hermione, who share his adventures.

Each film ends dramatically, often with a battle between Harry and his worst enemy, the evil wizard Lord Voldemort.

The characters

As well as Harry, Ron and Hermione, there's a huge variety of characters, including students, professors, dark wizards, ghosts and fantasy creatures. Non-magic people are called Muggles. The cast is excellent. The acting's outstanding, and even the strangest of characters are totally believable.

The setting

The films are mainly set in Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, which is in an ancient castle. There are moving staircases, portraits which can talk and move, and a dark forest where strange and dangerous creatures live.

The special effects

The special effects are amazing and make magic seem completely possible! The wizards' favourite sport, Quidditch, is played on broomsticks. Different techniques were used to create the effects that make the actors look as if they're flying.

Critic's opinion

The films are imaginative, funny, frightening and, of course, magical! What makes them so successful is that they combine action, fantasy and friendship.

If you like adventure and magic, you'll love the Harry Potter films!

Do you like the Harry Potter films? What other films do you like? Tell us about them!

I am a fan of Harry Potter. My favorite part is 6.

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Harry Potter is a great movie

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Calls grow louder for B.C. mayor to resign over residential school book incident

First nations in b.c.'s cariboo region say they won't work with quesnel until mayor ron paull steps down.

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There are growing calls for Quesnel Mayor Ron Paull to resign after revelations his wife has been handing out a book that, according to promotional material from its publisher, questions whether residential schools were fundamentally harmful to Indigenous communities and people who attended them.

More than 200 people marched outside city hall Tuesday evening before packing into an emotionally charged council meeting in the city of roughly 23,000 people, located in B.C.'s Cariboo region about 400 kilometres north of Vancouver.

"We can no longer work with this mayor and we will not work with the City of Quesnel until [the] issue has been resolved," said Lhtako Dene Chief Clifford Lebrun. 

"We can't have a community that hands out hate literature and expect people to listen to us and to take it seriously."

Calls grow louder for Quesnel mayor to step down

The meeting also heard from the mayor's wife, Pat Morton, and one of the authors featured in the book who had travelled to Quesnel to speak to council.

The controversy is a blow to reconciliation efforts, which have been at the forefront of city business.

Council began a process of working with the Lhtako Dene in 2015, formally acknowledging them as partners on whose land the city was built. In the years since, it has taken other steps toward what it calls "true reconciliation," which include restoring ownership of a downtown park to the First Nation and being the first city to officially co-host the B.C. Winter Games with an Indigenous community earlier this year.

But those efforts have been threatened after a March 19 meeting where council received a letter of concern from the Lhtako Dene about a book being distributed in the community by Morton.

The book, titled Grave Error: How the Media Misled Us (and the Truth about Residential Schools),  by authors C.P. Champion and Tom Flanagan, contains essays that its publisher says challenge several assertions made about the harms of residential schools. 

In publicity material for the book, publishers True North and Dorchester Books say statements that residential schools traumatized Indigenous people across generations and destroyed Indigenous languages and culture are either "totally false or grossly exaggerated."

• Quesnel city council condemns controversial residential school book distributed by mayor's wife

It also promises to challenge the notion that Indigenous people were forced to attend residential schools and whether the residential school system can appropriately be defined as genocide.

"Whoever wrote that book, they didn't go through residential school with us," Lhtako Dene Elder Bryant Paul told council this past Tuesday, while holding an eagle feather. "[At residential school] they beat us, sexually abused us."

Residential school survivor calls for Quesnel mayor to resign

Nazko First Nation Chief Leah Stump choked back tears as she addressed the council table.

"We deserve better than having to come here to prove we went to residential school, to prove that we were hurt and broken," she said.

In 2021, the federally-appointed Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada released a report into the schools after six years of testimony received from more than 6,000 attendees across the country.

• Residential schools, day schools, day scholars: what you need to know

It found more than 4,100 children died while attending these schools, most due to malnourishment or disease.

It also heard testimony that many of the children who attended the schools were physically, sexually or psychologically abused, ultimately characterizing the system as a "cultural genocide."

The book was unanimously denounced by Paull and council at its March 19 meeting, when the council reaffirmed their relationship with the Lhtako Dene and formally accepted the findings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

The rally held at city hall on April 2 was described as one in support for truth and reconciliation. Afterward, council was addressed by First Nations leaders and elders, some of whom held back tears as they described the personal impacts of residential schools.

"We have a whole room full of elders and survivors here," Chief Lebrun said during the meeting. "They could go on all night and tell you what they went through. It hurts them that much that they would relive that, just to let you know."

• More people aware of residential school harms but work still needed, report finds

Lebrun said the Lhtako Dene would be stepping back from their partnerships with the city until further notice.

Morton, the mayor's wife, also stepped up to the microphone to speak.

"I'll say I'm sorry my actions sharing this book have upset you," she said. "I'm hurt I'm put in this position. I believe in love not hate."

Mayor's wife gets into heated exchange with Quesnel councillors

She asked two of the city councillors why they hadn't come to speak to her directly if they had concerns about the book, rather than bringing it up during a council meeting.

Frances Widdowson, one of the contributors to the book, also travelled to Quesnel to speak to council. 

She accused the city of spreading misinformation because council had read a letter from the B.C. Assembly of First Nations into the record, which included a reference to unmarked graves at the former Kamloops Residential School. 

In 2021, the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation announced preliminary results of ground-penetrating radar work at that school, which they said showed approximately 200 potential burial sites on the grounds of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School. 

Writer accuses Quesnel council of misinformation

One of the criticisms in Grave Error is that a number of early media reports referred to these sites as unmarked graves without including context that they were unconfirmed, which the authors say have helped shape a false public narrative even as work continues at Kamloops and sites across the country to confirm the preliminary findings.

"There is no evidence of unmarked graves," Widdowson told council, a statement she repeated as people in the gallery started to drown her out with drumming. "Does council support misinformation?"

In response, Coun. Laurey-Anne Roodenburg pointed out Widdowson had been fired from Mount Royal University in Calgary after espousing the benefits of residential schools.

"You really have no place here," Roodenburg told Widdowson. "We really don't want to hear from you."

• Educate or prosecute? Two Anishnaabe weigh in on how to deal with residential school deniers

Roodenburg was one of three councillors, along with Scott Elliot and Tony Goulet, who formally asked Paull to resign during the meeting.

"Mr. Mayor, you have lost the trust of our First Nations, myself, and the vast majority of our community," Elliot said. "I have no choice but to ask for your official resignation, so we can repair the damage done by you and your wife."

Elliot and Goulet accused the mayor of handing out the book at a local government meeting, a charge that Paull denied, saying he had simply brought it up during a discussion of what books should or should not be available at a local library.

"I have not distributed the book," he said. "If you're going to accuse me of a lie, I'm going to fire right back at you because you lied. "

Near the end of the meeting, Paull apologized and said he wanted to make reparations, but that he would not stand down.

"I'm not a quitter," he said. "Quesnel is in my heart and I'm not about to abandon it."

"I see this whole incident as being an opportunity ... This incident has spawned a whole new desire in pursuing reconciliation," he added.

While there is no mechanism to force a mayor to resign, Quesnel council directed staff to report back with options for censure and sanctions. Paull was elected to office in 2022 after previously sitting as a councillor.

Support is available for anyone affected by their experience at residential schools or by the latest reports.

A national Indian Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide support for survivors and those affected. People can access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-hour national crisis line: 1-866-925-4419.

Mental health counselling and crisis support is also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week through the Hope for Wellness hotline at 1-855-242-3310 or by online chat at  www.hopeforwellness.ca .

Corrections

• A previous version of this story stated that Frances Widdowson had been fired from Royal Roads University. In fact, she had been fired from Mount Royal University. Apr 06, 2024 9:03 AM PT

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