ESU NewsTHE ENGLISH-SPEAKING UNION Creating global understanding through English

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ISSUE No. 120 MARCH 2005

During the ceremony Highly Commended certificates for the ESU English Language BookAward were also awarded to Skills in Englishfrom Garnet Publishing and The Internet andBusiness English from Summertown Publishing.

2004 was the second year that the ESUPresident's Award was awarded to recogniseinnovation and excellence in the use of new,freestanding technologies in the teaching andlearning of English. The winner was MacmillanSchool Dictionary CD-ROM and website,published by Macmillan.

HRH The Duke of Edinburgh also presented certificates to winners of ESU public speaking

and debating competitions. Patricia Evangelistaof the Philippines won the International PublicSpeaking Competition in May 2004 with herspeech 'Blonde and Blue Eyes'. The competitionwas sponsored by HSBC Holdings plc with sixtycompetitors from thirty four countries taking part.Patricia travelled from Manila to collect herAward.

Also being awarded certificates were DhakshiMuhundakumar, Monika Sobiecki and IlanaLever from Haberdashers' Aske's School for Girlswho won the 2003-2004 ESU National PublicSpeaking Competition for Schools.

Continued on page 2.

Above: The Duke of Edinburgh ESU English Language Book Award is presented to Simon Mellor-Clark and David Riley of Macmillan Education.

Prince Philip praises the achievementsof the English LanguageThe winner of the 2004 Duke of Edinburgh ESU English Language Book Award was Campaign published byMacmillan Education. Described as “an excellent example of functional language teaching at its best and avery important contribution to peace-keeping”, the winning entry is a text book providing English teaching forthe military. This Award, together with various others, was presented by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace on 24 November.

ContentsAward Ceremony . . .Page 2

Istanbul . . . . . . . . . .Page 2

Lindemann Fellowships . . . . . . .Page 3

London Debate Challenge . . . . . . . . .Page 3

John Smith Memorial Mace . . . .Page 3

ESU Frank Bell Scholarships . . . . . .Page 4

Czech Republic . . . .Page 4

Mongolia National Day . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 4

Literary Events . . . . .Page 5

Global Conversations . . . . .Page 5

ESU Christmas Celebrations . . . . . .Page 6

ESU Brazil Halloween Party . . . .Page 6

Uganda . . . . . . . . . .Page 7

Diary Dates . . . . . .Page 7-8

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The largest parliamentary schools debating competition in theworld, the ESU Schools Mace, was won by Thomas Boston andGabriel Brady from George Heriot's School in Edinburgh. This yearover 800 schools from all over the United Kingdom and Irelandtook part.

Celebrating its 50th year in 2004, the John Smith Memorial Macewas won by Harriet Jones-Fenleigh and Nicholas Tan from theCambridge Union Society. The final was chaired by the Rt Hon.Charles Kennedy MP.

The ESU Essex Court Chambers National Mooting Competition2004 was won by Tom Shepherd and James Weale of theUniversity of Bristol. The competition promotes the skills of courtroom advocacy for legal students in Britain.

Finally, certificates were awarded to the winners of the ESU LondonDebate Challenge Championships. Supported by the Departmentfor Education and Skills (London Challenge Unit), the Sir JohnCass's Foundation, Coca-Cola Great Britain and Tesco PLC, thisprogramme provides the opportunity to all maintained schools inGreater London to learn to debate and take part in competitions.

The 2004 winning team, representing the Borough of Brent, consisted of Veeraj Thakrar and Chandni Radia of Claremont High School and Ahir Shah of Preston Manor High School.

Above: Winners of the ESU London Debate Challenge, Veeraj Thakrar,Chandni Radia and Ahir Shah receive their certificates from The Duke of Edinburgh.

The ESU spreads the word in IstanbulJames Probert and Harold Raitt, from theESU's Centre for Speech and Debate,together with Diana Gotts, Area Organiserfor Scotland in the Schools Mace and a former coach of the Scottish World SchoolsTeam, recently attended the InternationalDebate Education Association's AnnualConference in Istanbul.

They presented papers on debate formatsused by British debaters, the successes andlessons learned from the first year of theLondon Debate Challenge, and the ESU'sapproach to training and ContinuingProfessional Development for teachers.

Debate education is incredibly variedbetween countries; from US Policy Debate,where the same motion is debated everyweekend for an entire year, to Kazakhstanwhere young debaters play an active role ingovernment policy-making.

The ESU was able to learn a great deal fromother national and international debatingorganisations. James, Harold and Dianawere also delighted at the number ofrequests received for further information onexisting and projected ESU programmes, aswell as possibilities for new internationalpartnerships.

Above: The ESU President's Award is presented to Katalin Sule and Guy Jackson from Macmillan.

Above: HRH The Duke of Edinburgh presents Patricia Evangelista with herAward after winning the International Public Speaking Competition.

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Lindemann FellowshipsAwarded

ESU Alumniback theLondon DebateChallengeThe London Debate Challenge is now wellinto its second year. November's diary featured Pupil Workshops in Brent, TowerHamlets, Barking and Dagenham and, for100 students from Bexley, the CambridgeUnion.

The ESU Squad of debate mentors, most of whom are current or recent universitydebaters, are the key to the group teachingthat takes place in these Workshops. TheSquad has now increased to over 150members due to recent training days atDartmouth House and the Cambridge andOxford Unions.

In addition to teaching at Pupil Workshops,mentors are available for schools all overLondon to help judge school and Boroughcompetitions, or offer help and advice toschools who want to set up their owndebating societies.

The Lindemann Committee, comprisingsome of the most prestigious science academicians in Britain, met at DartmouthHouse in January to interview the shortlistedcandidates for the 2005/2006 LindemannTrust Fellowships.

The Fellowships are offered to graduates ofexceptional promise in both the pure andapplied physical sciences and are amongthis country's foremost science prizes. Forthe year 2005/2006, three scholarshipswere awarded. The successful candidateswere Dr Oliver Daltrop from OxfordUniversity, Mr Jonathan Keeling fromCambridge University and Mr GarethFunning from Oxford University who will beresearching earthquake movement usingnew radar technology.

Each Fellow will receive a grant of$30,000 to enable them to undertake scientific research in the United States for

a year. After the interviews, Committeemembers were joined for lunch by theDirector-General, Mrs Valerie Mitchell.

In a report submitted to the Committee, Dr Kate Grzywacz-Jones, a 2003Lindemann scholar who studied at RutgersUniversity, wrote, “The time I have spent inthe US has been the most important in mycareer development as I have been giventhe opportunity to lead projects whichinclude large collaborations, author propos-als and independently direct the course ofmy research.”

In addition, Dr Michael d'Arcy, also a 2003scholar wrote in his final report: “As well aslearning new physics, I have considerablybroadened my horizons. …In these times I believe it is particularly important toacquire this kind of understanding, and I am very grateful for having been given the opportunity to do so.”

Lincoln's Inn to representEngland in the 2004-05 John Smith Memorial MaceThe England Leg of the 2004-05 JohnSmith Memorial Mace took place at theend of November. The preliminary roundswere held at Dartmouth House and atWestminster City School.

The final was held on the Saturday eveningat Westminster City Hall with four teamsdebating the motion, “This House wouldmove the capital of the United Kingdom”.

The winning team, first propositionSebastian Issac and Fiona Dewar fromLincoln's Inn, will go on to representEngland at the International Final inScotland later this year.

Richard Osborne of Inner Temple wasnamed as the highest ranking individualspeaker in the competition. Special thanksgo to this year's Mace convenor NickPacheco for his hard work and support.

Above: The Lindemann Committee, L-R Dr M C Grossel, Professor R J P Williams, Professor RCowley, Professor Sir Roger Penrose, Professor D J Edwards and Professor Sir Francis Graham-Smith.

Above: London Debate Challenge workshop heldin Sutton.

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ESU Frank Bell ScholarshipsThis summer four teachers attended teacher training courses at theBell School in Saffron Walden as recipients of an ESU/Frank BellScholarship.

Vivien Constable, the Head Office Administrator at the Bell Schoolmet Beata Baskakoviene from Lithuania and Dragana Milankovicfrom Serbia & Montenegro. The students were enjoying their coursetremendously and are very appreciative of the opportunity theScholarships had given them. They remarked on the excellentteaching and content of the course, which they all said would helpthem considerably when they returned home. They also commentedon how well the class of 11 students bonded. They appreciated theinteraction with people from different nationalities and had madefriends with many students.

Both scholars were half way through their course and DraganaMilankovic expressed her “gratitude to all the people who work for the Bell Educational Trust and the ESU who enabled me andmany others to improve their teaching and training skills, to meetcolleagues from all over the world and share ideas and experiences,as well as to visit England and learn something more about its people, culture and historical heritage”.

Two other scholars, Enkhbold Jargal from Mongolia and IrinaBoornazian from Armenia also attended teacher training coursesduring the summer. ESU Sri Lanka was also offered a scholarship.

The ESU would like to thank the Bell Educational Trust for theircontinued partnership with the ESU/Frank Bell Scholarship.

Above: L-R Beata Baskakoviene from Lithuania and Dragana Milankovicfrom Serbia & Montenegro.

ESU organises Nurse Placements with theCzech RepublicESU Nurse Work Shadow organiser, Gill Prior, visited the Czech Republic inOctober with Great Western Hospital representative Shelly Knight. After ameeting at the British Embassy, they visited Motol Faculty Hospital in Pragueand met with Chief Nurse Jana Novakova. They were able to exchange ideasabout hospital, administration and also agreed that following the success of the placement of Jitka Tvaruzkova at Great Western Hospital, there will be asimilar opportunity for a Czech nurse in 2005.

Right: Gill Prior (left) with Ian Turvit, Chairman, ESU Czech Republic Steering Committee and Shelly Knight

at the British International School, Prague.

Mongolia NationalDayThe Mongolia National Day, held at the Mongolian Embassy inKensington, was well supported by the ESU.

Left: L-R Mr Alexander Finnis, Chairman of the ESU NationalCommittee for England and Wales, HE Mr Dalrain Davaasambuu,Mongolian Ambassador, Mrs Valerie Mitchell and Mr Simon Moyle,founder of ESU Mongolia.

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ESU Literary Events

Lord Thomas of Swynnerton

At a Literary Luncheon held at DartmouthHouse in December, the Hon. Gerard Noelpresented his book Miles, an affectionateportrait of the 17th Duke of Norfolk.

The talk gave a personal insight into theessence of Miles' unique character. Anunpretentious, amusing and modest familyman, he was Britain's most senior Catholiclayman. Immensely proud of his 30-yearrecord as an active soldier, Military Crosswinner and military civil servant, he joinedthe Grenadier Guards as a Lieutenant in1937. He served at Dunkirk and in NorthAfrica, and earned his MC in the battle ofthe Sangro River.

As a major-general, he commanded theFirst Division of the Rhine army from 1963to 1965. Looking back on this, he said, "It took no effort on my part to inherit theDukedom of Norfolk and all the other titles I have, but I am justly proud to have commanded the First Division ... as I hadto work for that off my own bat."

Valerie Mitchell presided, and televisionpresenter and journalist Sir David Frost,husband of the Duke's daughter Carina,said a few words about his father-in-law.

The English-Speaking Union joined forceswith the British Empire and CommonwealthMuseum at the end of November 2004 for a Lecture, held at Dartmouth House.Guest of Honour, Lord Thomas ofSwynnerton, talked on 'The British Empireand the Slave Trade'.

Hugh Thomas is a British historian whospecialises in Hispanic culture. A prolificauthor, one of his best-known books is The Spanish Civil War. Lord Watson,Chairman, The English-Speaking Union was in the Chair and Mr John Raisman,Chairman of the Trustees, The BritishEmpire and Commonwealth Museum, gave the Vote of Thanks.

Above: L-R Mr John Raisman, Lord Thomas ofSwynnerton and Lord Watson of Richmond.

In November 2004, Sir Alistair Horne wasthe guest speaker at a Literary Lecture,where he presented his new book Friend OrFoe. The book marks the centenary of theEntente Cordiale, which ended centuries of war and enmity between France andBritain.

Two hundred years after the Coronation of Napoleon Bonaparte as Emperor, theauthor contemplates two thousand years of France from a highly personalised, idiosyncratic view. The talk examinedFrance's extraordinary, modernising leaders,from Henri IV through Louis XIV andNapoleon to Charles de Gaulle, who haveso aggressively promoted the nation'simage.

Sir Alistair gave an amusing assessment of the differences between the two nations,joined by centuries of conflict and mistrust,and concluded that France is neither friend nor foe, but a cher ennemi. Alistair's wartime military career includedattachment in MI5 and he later became a foreign correspondent at the DailyTelegraph. Valerie Mitchell was in theChair and Colin McCorquodale, Chairman,ESU London Branch, gave the Vote ofThanks.

Above: Sir Alistair Horne.

Above: L-R Sir David Frost with the Hon. GerardNoel and Mrs Valerie Mitchell.

www.global-conversations.orgThe ESU of the United States' newest initiative, GlobalConversations, utilises two powerful channels of communication -the English language and the Internet - to link members from ESUsaround the world. Launched at the World Members' Conference inOctober, it allows members to participate in on-line conversationsabout literature, film, art, and current affairs, even though they maybe thousands of miles apart. Some have participated in real-timeconversations on its private chat area.

The online discussions are hosted on a user-friendly websitedesigned for the ESU. The technology is simple and clear, ensuringeasy navigation for all.

The first conversations are already under way; one focuses on theEnglish language and all its complications and infinite varieties. As Global Conversations moves forward, members will decide what to discuss next; literature, language, art, or whatever seemspertinent.

Registration is easy. Go to www.global-conversations.org and enteryour full name and email address. In minutes, you'll receive a temporary password. When you log on, you can change the password and join the conversation.

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Elizabethan Dancers entertain guests at theLondon Branch Christmas Reception

Members of the London Branch and their guests were entertainedat Dartmouth House at the beginning of December by a splendidgroup of Elizabethan Dancers in full costume. The entertainment inthe Long Drawing Room was much enjoyed by the audience.

The evening began with the unveiling of the newly restored RobertAdam Mantelpiece by ESU Deputy Chairman, Lord Hunt. Therestoration of the mantelpiece to its former glory was part fundedby the London Branch. The mirror hanging above the mantelpiecewas donated by Lady Dean.

The unveiling was attended by Valerie Mitchell and the Chairmanand Vice Chairman of London Branch, Colin McCorquodale andWilliam Marsden.

Above: L-R Colin McCorquodale, Lord Hunt, Lady Dean and WilliamMarsden at the unveiling of the newly restored Robert Adam Mantlepiece.

Above: The Elizabethan Dancers.

ESU Brazil'sHalloween PartyESU Brazil São Paulo Branch held a Halloween Benefit Party. It was a magical night with many members in Halloween dress.

Left: L-R are members of the Committee, Norika Ford, Yvonne Buckingham-Slezynger, social director, Ashley Jenner andLuciane Jenner, Chairman ESU Brazil São Paulo Branch.

Christmas Celebrations at the ESUThe ESU's annual Christmas Concert took place in December 2004at Dartmouth House, in aid of the Music Scholarship Fund. Singersfrom the Rodolfus Choir, under the direction of Mark Shepherd, provided seasonal music, and readings were given by ChairmanLord Watson, members of the Cultural Affairs Committee, ESUalumni and supporters.

The concert was followed by a reception with minced pies andmulled wine and enthusiastic singing around the piano, led by thechoir and accompanied on the piano by the Chairman of theCultural Affairs Committee, Nicholas Wickham-Irving.

Above: Lord Watson, members of the Rodolfus Choir and readers, Lady Garland, Lady Dean and Simon Wallfisch.

Unless otherwise stated we regret that no refunds can be made for cancellations within seven working days of an event.

For members: We accept payment for Dartmouth House events andmembership subscriptions by credit/debit cards. Cards bearing Visa,

Master-Card, Maestro, Switch, Solo or Delta symbols can now be used to make bookings by post, telephone or email.

DARTMOUTH HOUSE Telephone : 020 7529 1550

Diary DatesMARCH

Wednesday 2 March at 7.30pmPublic Debate at Dartmouth HouseThis House believes that Britain should build more nuclear power stationsContact: Vivienne Thomson

Thursday 3 March at 7.00pmMichael Henderson will launch his new book, See You After The Duration. Copies of the book will be available for signingTickets: £8 including a glass of wineContact: Katie Brock

Wednesday 9 March at 10.30-11.30amAt Home at Dartmouth House Members and their friends are invited to coffee at Dartmouth HouseContact: Jacqueline Abbott

Monday 14 March at 3.15pmThe Commonwealth Day Observance 2005 will take place atWestminster Abbey. Admission is free by ticket only. A limitednumber of tickets are available to ESU members. Names of all ticket holders must be submitted For ticket availability please contact Jacqueline Abbott

Tuesday 15 March at 12.00pmLady Elizabeth Graydon will talk about her book, Air Dog to Top Dog, a light-hearted view of the RAF through the eyes of the Labrador 'Blackie'Tickets: £15 including a sandwich lunch, wine and coffeeContact: Katie Brock

Wednesday 16 March at 7.00pmDavid Ramsbotham will talk about his book, PrisongateTickets: £8 including a glass of wineContact: Katie Brock

APRIL

Wednesday 6 April at 7.30pm Public Debate at Dartmouth HouseThis House believes that the 1960s did more harm than goodContact: Vivienne Thomson

Wednesday 13 April at 10.30-11.30amAt Home at Dartmouth House Members and their friends are invited to coffee at Dartmouth HouseContact: Jacqueline Abbott

Cont...

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ESU Staff Volunteer in UgandaOver Christmas and New Year 2004/2005 SarahSpinney, ESU Communications Officer and Mary Dawson,ESU Assistant Director of Education, travelled to Ndejjevillage, Uganda to volunteer with The African ChildFoundation. ACF is a small charity which works with HIVorphans and the local community on sustainable development projects.

Whilst in Uganda, they took part in several different pro-jects including teaching English to the local refugee com-munity from the Congo and Burundi, the building of anew school, working in a rural clinic and working withthose children and adults affected by HIV. Should youwish to read the full report or are interested in supportingthis project in any way please contact Sarah or Mary atDartmouth House.

Left: Sarah and Mary with some of their students in Uganda.

Support the ESUIf you would like to strengthen the ESU’s ever increasing educational programme by a donation or a legacy in your Will,

please contact Jo Wedderspoon at Dartmouth House, 37 Charles Street, London, W1J 5ED, telephone 020 7529 1550, email jo_wedderspoon@esu.org.

Your help would be greatly appreciated.

Telephone : 020 7529 1550 Fax : 020 7495 6108 Email : esu@esu.org Web : www.esu.org

Published by the English-Speaking Union, Registered Charity No. 273136 Dartmouth House, 37 Charles Street, London W1J 5ED Tel : 020 7529 1550 Fax : 020 7495 6108 Email : esu@esu.org Web : www.esu.org

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Diary Dates cont...DARTMOUTH HOUSE Telephone : 020 7529 1550

APRIL

Saturday 23 April at 12.30pm The National Final of the Schools Public Speaking Competitionwill take place at the City of London School for GirlsContact: Katherine Plummer

Thursday 28 April at 7.00pmThe Watts Gallery Concert, Guildford, with the Sacconi Quartet,will be held as a Memorial to Lady HealdTickets: £25 or £40 for a pair, to include a wine and canapéreceptionContact: Katie Brock

MAYWednesday 4 May at 7.30pm Public Debate at Dartmouth HouseThis House has no confidence in Her Majesty's GovernmentContact: Vivienne Thomson

Tuesday 10 May at 7.00pmBret Waller, Director Emeritus, Indianapolis Museum of Art, will give a lecture on “Terra Incognita: The American Midwestand its surprising museums”, at Dartmouth House. This lectureis in aid of the ESU American Arts Scholarship to AttinghamTickets: £7.50 to include wineContact: Helen Sender

Wednesday 11 May at 10.30-11.30am At Home at Dartmouth HouseMembers and their friends are invited to coffee at Dartmouth HouseContact: Jacqueline Abbott

Wednesday 11 May at 6.30pm for 7.00pmProfessor Andrew Gerstle, Professor of Japanese Studies,Department of the Languages and Cultures of Japan and Korea,SOAS University of London, will give a lecture on “CreatingCelebrity: Kabuki Actors, Poets and Artists” as an introduction toa major Exhibition of Japanese Theatre Prints opening at theBritish Museum on 30 June 2005. The lecture is in aid of theESU Chilton Art History Scholarship and will take place at TheBrunei Gallery, School of Oriental and African Studies, Universityof London, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London WC1 Tickets: £15 to include a glass of wineContact: Jacqueline Abbott

Thursday 12 MayThe 2005 International Public Speaking Competition will takeplace with the heats at Dartmouth House in the morning and thefinal held at Merchant Taylor’s Hall in the afternoon. If you areinterested in attending, please contact Helen Green

Tuesday 14 June at 7.00pmCarrie Rebora Barratt from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, NewYork will give a lecture on “Gilbert Stuart: An American Painter inGeorgian London and Dublin” at Dartmouth House. The lectureis in aid of the ESU American Arts Scholarship to AttinghamTickets: £7.50 to include wineContact: Helen Sender

INTERNATIONAL LAUNCHES

ESU MexicoThe Launch of ESU Mexico will take place on Sunday 15 May at the British Embassy and a cultural programme will run fromSaturday 14 to Sunday 22 May

ESU Czech RepublicThe Launch of ESU Czech Republic will take place in Prague on Wednesday 22 June with a cultural programme from Saturday 18 June

For more details, contact Helen Green

A tour of St Petersburg will precede the Launch of ESU Czech Republic from Tuesday 14 to Saturday 18 June. For more details please contact Margarita Mudrak, Chairman, ESU St Petersburg: Tel: +7 812 571 7519 Fax: +7 812 571 4089 Email: association@ctinet.ru

ESU Germany, Bavaria will be hosting an informal visit to meet their members after the Launch of ESU Czech Republic from Friday 24 to Sunday 26 June. Please contact Claus Bruegmann, Chairman, ESU Bavaria: Tel: +49 89 308 4098Email: cbr.cbw@t-online.de

Wednesday 6 July at 3.30-5.00pmThe House of Lords Tea PartyThe Lord Watson of Richmond will receive guests on the Terrace of the House of Lords. This is a popular event and early booking is essential. Guests' names will need to be submitted in advanceTickets: £22Contact: Jacqueline Abbott

Visit St Petersburg and be treated like a Czar or Czarina!Through the Fabergé Family and ESU St Petersburg, we are arranging a trip of a lifetime flying by British Airways to St Petersburg from 30 July - 5 August 2005. Staying at the luxurious 5 star Astoria Hotel the full programme covers all the main attractions and much more. As befits a Fabergé event, there are many surprises which no other tour can includeFor more information, telephone Irene Clarke at the St Petersburg Collection 01895 238674. Places are very limited so early booking is recommended

ESU MerchandiseWhen visiting Dartmouth House, why not take a moment to look at the display cabinet, where you will find an exclusiverange of gift items, all featuring the ESU logo. The items for sale are reasonably priced starting from just £3.50 and range from key fobs to an impressive assortment of glassware, ties, and jewellery. Ask at reception for details

ADVANCE NOTICE