Promoting Mutual Understanding: Britain, Portugal and Japan

British Council
Cultural relations
Our role in the world today
We recognise that the UK has a lot to learn from other cultures and traditions, as well as a lot to offer. Which is why we place great value on exchanging ideas, sharing knowledge and learning from each other.
Through the ties that we create between people in the UK and other countries, we help to break down the barriers to understanding. We then work on these links in education and culture to build lasting relationships based on trust, mutual understanding and respect. This is what we mean by cultural relations. - http://www.britishcouncil.org/home-about-us-purpose-and-values-cultural-relations.htm

Well, in the interests of promoting mutually understanding between cultures...
Eventos JAPÃO "Japan-Europe Mutual Understanding Scholarship Program 2007"
A Embaixada do Japão apresenta os seus melhores cumprimentos e tem o prazer de divulgar o:

"Japan-Europe Mutual Understanding Scholarship Program 2007"

Trata-se de um programa do Governo do Japão para jovens entre os 16-17 anos com a possibilidade de permanência no Japão durante 5 meses. Durante esse tempo, os jovens frequentarão a escola japonesa, viverão com uma família japonesa e terão a oportunidade de viajar e experimentar diversas actividades no Japão.
Todas as informações sobre o programa poderão ser consultadas na nossa página em www.pt.emb-japan.go.jp.

A Embaixada do Japão agradece toda a divulgação que possa ser feita e aproveita para reiterar os seus melhores cumprimentos.

Sector de Informação e Assuntos Culturais Embaixada do JapãoAv. da Liberdade, nº 245 / 6º1269-033 LISBOATel: 21 311 05 60 / Fax: 21 354 39 75E-mail: cultural@embjapao.ptHomepage: http://www.pt.emb-japan.go.jp/

British 'Culture'?

This popcorn and burger society is making me sick
Jason CowleySunday January 21, 2007
The Observer

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,1995296,00.html

AC2.1-14S Homework

Write an answer to one of the following compositions. Write your answer in 300-350 words in an appropriate style.

1. The British Council is holding an international competition called, "A Day that Changed My Life." It is inviting students from around the world to write letters to share their experiences of a significant day in their life. You decide to enter the competition. Write your letter.

2. The British Council is planning a book about festivals and customs from cities where it has teaching centres around the world. It has asked students to submit proposals about what should be included on the festivals and customs which are unique to their own cities and which also maintain important traditions. You decide to submit a proposal about your city. Write your proposal.

3. The British Council is conducting a survey amongst its students into it teaching centres. It has asked students to send in reports on their teaching centre covering the following areas: the quality of teaching, customer service, the standard of classrooms and facilities, the cultural programme, and the image of the British Council in their city. Write your report.

Escape from Brick Lane

Monica Ali's vignettes of Portuguese village life, Alentejo Blue, leave Alex Clark wanting more

http://books.guardian.co.uk/reviews/generalfiction/0,,1779632,00.html

Digested Blue
"Gosh it's hot," Joao said to himself, vividly creating an image of the harsh, sunburnt Portuguese countryside. As he dragged his 84-year-old body out into the forest to relieve himself, he stumbled across his friend, Rui, hanging from a tree. "Change comes to us all," he thought deeply. "They even say that Marco Alfonso Rodrigues is coming back to Mamarrosa to build a hotel."
http://books.guardian.co.uk/digestedread/story/0,,1790546,00.html

Monica Ali's patient interiors
http://tls.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,25339-2204924,00.html

George Orwell Dies of Tuberculosis

Acclaimed author George Orwell dies

The writer, George Orwell, has died after a three-year battle against tuberculosis...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/january/21/newsid_2669000/2669789.stm

Podcasts

Want some short interesting listening-practice recordings? Take a look at (and have a listen to) the Guardian's podcasts. Most MP3 files are around 4 minutes long. Bobbie Johnson on Apple's new iPhone and more!

UK Magazine

More about the UK on this British Consular site...

UK Magazine

http://www.britishembassy.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1115139822261

100 Best Sites

Click here for an article and 100 recommended sites in 20 categories from the Guardian online.