TALKING WORKSHOP

Develop practical methods of teaching oral communication skills at this course organised by the English Speaking Board (International) Ltd, at Adcote School, Little Ness, Shrewsbury. The programme includes demonstrations of reading aloud, verse speaking and the prepared talk, workshops and discussion. Fee: pound;25 (includes handouts and lunch).

Tel: 01704 501730 Email: admin@esbuk.orgwww.esbuk.org

MARCH 7 and 9-14

WORDS BY THE WATER

Cumbrian literature festival organised by Ways with Words at Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal and Theatre by the Lake, Keswick. Highlights in Kendal, March 7, include talks by Roy Hattersley and Blake Morrison. In Keswick, participants include Tony Benn, Martin Bell, Kate Adie, Rageh Omaar and Joan Bakewell. For tickets and information, tel: 01768 774411 (Keswick); 01539 725133 (Kendal). Full programme from Ways with Words Tel: 01803 867373 www.wayswithwords.co.uk

L’ECOLE DES VEDETTES (STAR ACADEMY)

Linguascope is giving students aged 12 to 15 the chance to learn French online free. Based on the theme of four teenage pop stars sharing a house, the course encourages students to take on such roles as fitness instructors, interviewers, dieticians and dressers. German and Spanish versions will be released later in the year.

www.linguascope.compop

COLLECT4SCHOOL

Since printer cartridges can take up to 1,000 years to biodegrade in landfill sites, schools can do much to protect the environment by collecting and sending them to Johnson Recycling to be remanufactured or recycled into other plastic products. The company pays schools for those that can be remanufactured.

www.collect4school.co.uk

VISIONS OF SCIENCE:YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHER AWARDS

In this competition, the winners of age categories 16 and under and 17 to 18 will receive the latest Kodak EasyShare Zoom Digital cameras plus pound;500 for their school or college to spend on science equipment. Sections include: Action (images capturing a scientific process or event as it happens in the natural world); Close-up (images beyond the naked eye); Art; Concepts; People (images communicating the impact of science, medicine and technology on people’s lives). Closing date May 7.

Tel: 020 7613 5577 www.visions-of-science.co.uk