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Positive energy: ELT edition

We are planning on making this year the positive energy year. We have some ideas we are working on and we will bring them to you over the course of the year, but we would first like to start by asking our readers what we can bring you that will make a happy and positive difference to you. Please take a minute to think and then ask us for speakers or information on any area that would bring some positive energy to you. The possibilities are endless, really, so don’t be shy to bring anything to us. We will do our best to use what connections and resources we have to make it happen.
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International students now allowed to complete all studies online from abroad and still qualify for work permits

In what is undoubtedly good news for Canadian colleges and universities, it was announced on Friday that international students that have been kept out of the country because of the pandemic will be able to qualify for work permits even if they complete all of their studies online from out of the country.

Read more in The Star.

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Dual-language instruction being pushed in Washington state

Washington State Superintendent Chris Reykdal has made it a goal to implement dual-language instruction in elementary schools across the state. The second language would not be the same everywhere; instead, it would be determined by local districts based on what would best serve their students.

Read more.

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Canada improves its position as destination for international students

Recent surveys have shown that since the beginning of the pandemic, Canada has improved its desirability for international students. Viewed as both “safe and stable” and “open and welcoming”, Canada is now competing with the UK for top spot. We will point out that this means Canada has overtaken the US in this area.

Read more in CIC News.

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The final drop of our Moving Sale

Hi everyone!

Thank you for making our moving sale such a success. We imagine there will be quite a bit of interest in our final drop which features integrated skills (both General English and Academic), methodology, linguistics, teacher resource and photocopiable books, as well as games!

The sale lasts until December 18th (and you can purchase from any drop), but shop early to avoid disappointment as this is all while quantities last!

Shop the drop. Email info@englishcentral.net with the titles you want to buy and we will email you back with your order confirmation. Easy enough!

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Moving sale: 1st drop

Here is the first drop of our 2020 moving sale. Sadly, we could not set everything up in our eCommerce site because it would have just been an insane amount of work to briefly sell stuff at a loss! So it is a little cumbersome, but we hope the great deals will keep you energized!

Here are a few points:

  • Download the list. Note that with some titles, we have quite a few copies available. We have created “supersized” pricing for these.
  • Highlight what you would like to purchase and email it to info@englishcentral.net along with your full name and address. We will then set up your order and email it back to you with your total including any applicable taxes and shipping charges.
  • Sales are while quantities last. No rainchecks. All sales are final.

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Celebrate with Cheese Toadstools!

Back in university, we had a professor who liked to share interesting little anecdotes from the past. “History for cocktail parties,” he said. Well, one story was about the croissant and how it was invented in Austria to celebrate the ousting of the Turks – the croissant is a crescent shape and the crescent was the symbol of the Ottoman Empire, so how delicous was it for Austrians to celebrate by biting into, chewing and ultimately expelling a lovely pastry?!?

We thought of this recently and how there should be a new symbolic pastry to celebrate recent events. While we would be thrilled if our readers came up with other ideas and shared them with us, this is what we have come up with. While you do need to get your hands on mushroom shaped cookie cutters, the recipe itself is easy. Note that sprinkling caraway seeds on top is optional, but a very tasty addition.

Sift together 1 cup of flour, 1/2 tsp of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of paprika. Toss with 3/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese and 1/3 cup of grated cheddar cheese. Cut in 1/2 cup of butter and 1 tbsp of full cream. Mix in a stand mixer for a few minutes until the ingredients come together in a smooth dough. Chill for 1 hour, then roll out to 1/8 inch thick. Use your cookie cutters to cut out shapes and then place on a baking sheet. Lightly beat one egg with a teaspoon of water and brush over the toadstools. Sprinkle caraway seeds on top (optional).

Bake at 325 degrees Farenheit for about 12 minutes. Serve warm if you can, but they are delicious cold as well.