Latest news with #English.
6 hours ago
- General
Janome Snake's Eye Umbrellas: Japan's Bamboo and Paper Tradition
Cultural Snapshots Guideto Japan The janome, or 'snake's eye,' is a traditional Japanese pattern featuring circles, often in a concentric 'bullseye' layout. It is commonly seen on paper umbrellas. Warding Off Rain and Evil Janome umbrellas get their name from their pattern of a bold white circle against a strikingly colored background—such as red, blue, or purple—which is said to resemble a snake's eye (janome). These traditional umbrellas consist of a bamboo frame with a canopy made of washi paper that is waterproofed with vegetable oil. When they were in common use in the Edo period (1603–1868), the paper was typically replaced from time to time, as it was less sturdy than the bamboo framework. The umbrellas were customarily believed to protect against more than the elements, as their snake eyes were thought to have the power to ward off bad luck and evil spirits. (Originally written in English. Banner photo © Pixta.)
BBC News
20-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Wait to enter education 'frustrating' for teenage asylum seekers
Nineteen-year old Hani and 20-year-old Hossam both dream of running their own they face more hurdles than many other young people in fulfilling those is because Hani came to Northern Ireland as an asylum seeker from Kurdistan, like Hossam from a result, like other older teenagers who are asylum seekers, there is no automatic access to education and specialised support for them. Hani, Hossam and others have contributed to a report called Stranded Dreams, launched in Belfast City together by Anaka Women's Collective and the Participation and the Practice of Rights (PPR) organisation, it calls for a specialist education programme for those aged 16-24 who come to Northern Ireland as asylum seekers and refugees. 'When I came here, I lost myself' Hani came to Northern Ireland almost three years ago."The first thing that I asked for was education and study and school," she told BBC News NI."They told me at the age of 16 they cannot take me as a student."I was really disappointed," she Hani speaks very good English now, her initial lack of English meant that she was unable to enter a Further Education (FE) present it falls on some community organisations like Anaka Women's Collective to provide educational classes for older teenagers who are asylum was through Anaka that Hani learned English, but the wait to enter education was frustrating."Young people like us, we want to find ourselves, we want to find our future," Hani said."But when I came here, I lost myself."My steps in front of me, all of them were blurry."We're working on this so the next generation don't face the same challenges I did," she wants a specific programme for young people over 16 to be able to start to has hopes of a career in business and wants to take GCSEs, A-Levels and go to university. 'We need a certain level of English' Hossam, meanwhile, wants to combine a career in business with fashion design and also wants to attend has been out of education since arriving in Belfast as an asylum seeker with his twin brother Wyassum in January came to join their mother, who had come to Northern Ireland as a Sudan, the boys had finished secondary spoke to BBC News NI through a translator, but he desperately wants to learn English."We have been here for a year and a half so far, and we couldn't find any formal education," he told BBC News NI."We studied in Arabic in Sudan and we don't speak English, and we couldn't find a place to study English."Myself and my brother want to go to university, but for us to go to university we need a certain level of English." 'A need for targeted education' Some other parts of the UK have targeted education programmes for asylum seekers if they are over 16, teaching them English and other subjects England for instance, asylum seeking young people are entitled to free education until the end of the academic year in which they turn may be in school but it is more likely to be at their local FE college, especially if they have recently arrived in the Northern Ireland, the Education Minister Paul Givan has announced plans to make it compulsory for young people to stay in education or training until they are could mean education provision would also be provided for young asylum seekers and refugees up until the age of the Stranded Dreams report said there was a need for targeted education for them. Morgan Mattingly from Queen's University of Belfast (QUB), said there was "an intense need" for English language support especially."The statutory responsibility for education currently only exists until the end of the year you turn 16," she said."However, even before you turn 16 there's quite a few barriers that prevent young people from accessing education."When a young person is aged 16 they're turned away outright," she added."Even though they desperately want to be in school, they want to be learning, their options are very limited."Because they can't access education, they can't access higher education and then that has a knock on effect."There needs to be full-time programmes that are specific to these age groups."They have such knowledge and capacity already," she told BBC News NI, adding that English language support while they learn other core subjects is Stranded Dreams report calls for targeted support with English, and Maths, Science and other it calls for the Northern Ireland Executive to have a pilot project in place for the start of the 2026/27 academic year. 'Education is a priority' The Chief Executive of Refugee Education UK Catherine Gladwell said that for young refugees arriving in the UK "education is a priority.""While displaced children and young people have the right to access quality education, many who arrive in the UK late in the education system remain out of education for prolonged periods of time," she said."As the differences between England and Northern Ireland illustrate, there is currently no overarching strategy from the Government to address this issue.""But Refugee Education UK believes it can and should be addressed, benefiting both individual children and young people, and advancing cross party efforts to tackle inequality through educational attainment."A Department of Education spokesperson said that the department is "currently consulting on proposed legislation which will provide for all learners to participate in education, apprenticeship or training until age 18". "We are aware that there are particular cohorts of young people who require additional support including newcomer young people. Over the next few years, we will be working with policy leads across departments as we consider the implications of the legislation prior to and following its enactment."
BBC News
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Shoreham: Sompting Village Morris dancers celebrate May Day
Traditional folk dancing, singing and music is expected to pass through the streets of Shoreham later to celebrate May Sompting Village Morris group plan to begin their May Day activities from Coronation Green at 07:00 a celebration marking the first day of summer, May Day's traditions are rooted in pagan Morris dancing group will parade to the Shoreham War Memorial to crown their annual May Queen. Started in 1978, Sompting Village Morris says their aim is to uphold the tradition of English street folk Frost, a dancer with the side, says they have been celebrating May Day in Shoreham for over a decade."I like to think that Morris dancing is an older version of younger people's street dance," he told BBC South East."We do it in the streets. We don't do it professionally. We do it just for fun." What is Morris dancing? As a form of traditional English folk dance, the dance takes on a variety of styles depending on where the group has come Village Morris says they are a joint team, with men and women performing separate dances at the same 2023, the dance became a tradition which saw men no longer make up the majority of participants for - the first time in UK history. Mr Frost said Morris dancing is eccentric and quintessentially English."You look at it and think it's a very odd thing to do," he said."These lads all dress up a bit strange. They're using sticks and hankies, jangling with bells. But why not?"
BBC News
09-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Colchester runner says being offside helped discover his speed
A keen marathon runner said he realised how fast he was after regularly finding himself drifting offside while playing Elbayan took up sport as a means of learning English after seeking asylum in the UK in 25-year-old now runs 20 miles (32km) a day after his passion for speed inspired him to join a running club in Colchester."I don't know what pace I run, I just like running," Mr Elbayan told BBC Essex Sport Extra. Since living in the UK, he has competed in three consecutive London Marathons - finishing in 42nd place last year with a time of two hours and 24 dreams of rising up the ranks and making a name on the international stage, but said it did not come without challenges."You need to have a sponsor, nutritionist, diet, food - this all makes a difference," he said."This is the stuff I can't afford, so it's quite difficult but I'm enjoying it." Mr Elbayan, who is originally from Chad, said taking part in sport had allowed him to build relationships and learn English."When I came to the UK for the first time, my English was not great," he said."I thought let me do some sport maybe to improve my English and communicate with people."Mr Elbayan said he began to realise his faster than average speed when the linesman kept catching him offside during football added: "After that I had some of my friends tell me I'm very fast, maybe I should try running."The runner gave up football in 2021 and joined Colchester Harriers Athletics Club, training with them on Tuesday now, Mr Elbayan's next challenge is the Manchester Marathon on 27 April."I will make Essex proud and Colchester proud," he added. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
More than 100,000 Aussies needed for crucial jobs paying nearly $50 per hour: 'Put your hand up'
More than 100,000 Australians are needed to fill crucial roles for the upcoming federal election. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has today officially set off the countdown clock for the May 3 vote. The next five weeks will be filled with election promises and politicians visiting all corners of the country. But the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) will be toiling away in the background to make sure the ballot process is as smooth as possible and that's why they need so many workers. "We're particularly interested in those living in rural and regional areas to put their hand up and work for us to help deliver the next federal election," a spokesperson told Yahoo Finance. $31K pay rise for women to reskill in this male-dominated industry Centrelink blow for millions on JobSeeker, Age Pension as federal budget denies cash boost Rare $1 coin worth up to $3,000: 'Crazy errors' "It can sometimes be difficult for us to find staff in regional areas so we're really hopeful people will get involved in their communities to make sure people in their area can vote. "We're also looking for people who speak languages other than English."Those proficient in more than one language are a great asset, offering in-language support to other community members in the polling place on voting day." The AEC said it will also need staff for mobile polling teams, who take ballot papers and voting services out to people who can't access a traditional polling place. They'll visit remote parts of the country, aged care facilities, prisons and mental health care facilities. No experience is necessary for any of the jobs and training will be provided once you get the role. The AEC said the range of temporary jobs will be needed over a seven-week period. Even though it's only five weeks until the vote, there will be a few roles needed post-election. But the AEC has plenty of roles needed before the election, on the day, and after. Pre-poll Officer in Charge Pre-poll Second in Charge Pre-poll Officer Early Voting Liaison Officer Contingent Early Voting Officer (Mobile Polling and Pre-Poll) Contingent Early Voting Leaders Polling Place Liaison Officer Polling Place Officer in Charge Polling Place Second in Charge Declaration Vote Issuing and Inquiry Officer Polling Assistant Polling Assistant (Bilingual) Polling Assistant (First Nations) Scrutiny Assistant Scrutiny Assistant (Return of Materials) Temporary Assistant Level 1 Temporary Assistant Level 2 The pay rate will depend on the job that you're doing but you can earn anywhere between $25 to nearly $50 per hour. That includes the base hourly rate plus a 25 per cent loading. However, if you work overtime, you could have an additional 50 to 100 per cent loading added on top of your hourly salary. While each job will have its own unique tasks, the broad requirements are the same. You need to have an "eye for detail", be able to follow processes well, be able to work well in teams, have the ability to sit or stand for long periods of time, lift 12 kilograms, and have organisational skills. You can head here to register your interest in any of the jobs. Enrolment closes at 8pm local time on Monday, April 7. "Make sure your enrolment details are up to date before this deadline," the AEC spokesperson in to access your portfolio
