culture and customs

Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims. What happens during Ramadan and what does it mean to millions of Muslims worldwide?

National Tea Day

Tea is the world's second most popular drink (after water!). In the UK, you can even celebrate drinking it on 21 April.

New Year celebrations

On the night of 31 December and the morning of 1 January, people in many countries all over the world will celebrate the beginning of a new year. How will they celebrate and how did this tradition begin?

Hanukkah

Hanukkah is a Jewish festival that is celebrated for eight days, usually in December. It is also called the Festival of Lights. Find out why and learn about what people do to celebrate this special holiday.

Halloween

October 31 is Halloween and is now celebrated in many countries around the world, but do you know anything about the origins of this scary special day? Read the article and find out.

International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples

The International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples on 9 August is a day to promote indigenous peoples' rights and celebrate indigenous communities, from the Inuit in the Arctic Circle to the Tuareg in the deserts of northern Africa.

A rare cheese

Are you adventurous when it comes to food? Watch this video about a famous Italian food – would you be brave enough to try it?

Cultural expectations and leadership

Read an article about the different cultural expectations of a leader to practise and improve your reading skills.

Cultural behaviour in business

Read a blog post about doing business in different cultures to practise and improve your reading skills.

Stratford 1: Shakespeare, Glove Maker

How did the son of a small-town glove maker come to write the greatest plays in the world? Join actor and producer Ben Crystal as he explores Shakespeare's early years in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Stratford 2: The Lost Years

What inspired Shakespeare to write? Ben Crystal continues his visit to Stratford-upon-Avon, learning about Shakespeare's education, marriage and the 'lost years' before he moved to London.

London 1: Piece by Piece

How did Shakespeare make it big in London? Find out as actor and producer Ben Crystal explores the places in London where Shakespeare worked.

London 2: A Penny for the Yard

What was it like to watch one of Shakespeare's plays in the 1600s? Join Ben Crystal on his visit to Shakespeare's Globe, a reproduction of the original Globe Theatre in London.

Juliet 1: Falling in Love

What do teenagers find so compelling about Romeo and Juliet? British actor Jade Anouka explains what British teenagers taught her about playing Juliet.

Juliet 2: Feisty, Funny and Determined

Juliet is just like teenage girls today! Jade Anouka explains the insights she gained from playing Juliet in the Middle East.

Lady Macbeth 1: Top Dog

How does Lady Macbeth get exactly what she wants from her husband? British actress Shaheen Khan shows how Macbeth's wife gets him right where she wants him.

Lady Macbeth 2: Unchecked Ambition

What does Macbeth show us about getting ahead? Shaheen Khan shares what she learned from playing Lady Macbeth and how performing in Asia helped her find comedy in Shakespeare's most famous tragedy.

Much Ado 1: A Beautiful Trick

Why is Much Ado About Nothing one of Shakespeare's most popular plays? British-Japanese actress Susan Hingley talks about the brilliant trick her character Hero plays on Beatrice.

Much Ado 2: Fun to Play

Why is Much Ado About Nothing so popular around the world? Susan Hingley explains why a play set in Italy is loved by Japanese audiences.

Hamlet 1: His Father's Ghost

Hamlet returns home to find his father has died. Zimbabwean actor Tonderai Munyevu explains how Hamlet is about a man who has to figure out what happened while he was away.

Hamlet 2: A Bad Death

Hamlet knows who killed his father, but what should he do? Tonderai Munyevu explains why Hamlet was right to take his time before trying to make things right.

The Tempest 1: Bigger than me

Why do Shakespeare's plays attract audiences around the world? British actor James Garnon explains how Shakespeare's verse and expressions have captured the hearts of so many people.

The Tempest 2: Greed, Wrath and Lust

Why does Caliban in The Tempest choose forgiveness and mercy over revenge? James Garnon explains his choice, as well as when children can start seeing Shakespeare plays.

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Episode 11

Tess and Ravi discuss something British that people think isn't much good. Adam and Rob read your comments about your jobs.

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Scarlett

Scarlett is twelve years old and is trying to understand the world around her. She asks questions about everything, all the time. She also says that she already knows five languages …

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culture and customs