cafebabel’s most commented articles of 2009
Imlaq on the Israel-Palestinian conflict: ‘cafe babel is biased in writing only about Israelis.’ Bob on French language learners: ‘Americans and Britons probably don’t do much better than the French when it comes to languages.’ Oriane about the extreme right in Europe: ‘It’s a pity to throw nazillon in everywhere.’ Georges on the Erasmus programme: ‘Most of the french students are afraid.’ Peter about parlorama.eu: ‘Miss Koch-Mehrin is one of the worst - she’s never at parliament!’ A small compilation of the best reader comments in 2009 - be sure to leave us yours for 2010! Happy new year
French citizens ‘Balkan-level’ skill at the English language
The nineteenth-century attitudes to language learning here are not just wasting people’s time, but wasting an extraordinary amount of their money, opines a young Irishman who teaches English in Paris, capital of a country which an 'archaic' education system
employment, education system, life-long learning, paris, best of cafebabel.com, languages, discrimination, culture, youth
Europe's far-right youth: '10 years ago we were 'Nazi losers'. Now it’s ok to be a Nazi'
Their election scores confirm it; the extreme right parties have got the wind in their sails. A new generation of activists has arrived to take up the duties, and they have profoundly changed the way in which the extreme right does politics
right-wing, jean-marie le pen, advertising, neo-fascism, nationalism, politics, web 2.0, right wing extremism
Why would you not do Erasmus?
In France, around 4000 Erasmus bursaries found no takers in 2008. But why say no to an experience abroad? Efficiency, money, elitism…here an assortment of experiences shed some light on the situation surrounding the student exchange programme in Europe
university, languages, erasmus, european commission, school, language, society
Parlorama.eu portal reopens despite EU politician threats
On 24 April, political pressure temporarily gagged the website which classifies Euro MPs according to their plenary sessions and parliamentary commission attendances. It is due to make a triumphant comeback with three new linguistic versions to boot on 4 or 5 May
eudebate2009, internet, european parliament, brussels, censorship, european democracy, politics, freedom of expression, european elections 2009
Take back your Portuguese worker: how racist is Europe?
A homeless Indian man burnt alive in a station in Rome, strikes launched by English workers worried about their jobs - news buzzes reveal how much racism still lurks in Europe
Eyewitness Israel: Gaza, war and the wall of incomprehension between Europe
From Jerusalem to Sderot, Israelis are lamenting the pro-Palestinian stance of European public opinion, as well as serious anti-Semitic acts. They have warned that dialogue with Hamas is impossible
