Tertiary Catalogue

Baseball is one of the most popular sports in Japan and, from the polite and respectful conduct of players on the field and spectators in the stands, it reflects the values of Japanese society itself. Featuring topical vocabulary and a wealth of interesting facts, this is a fun resource for introducing key aspects of Japanese culture to beginner language learners. Show Less

The culture of respect is one of the most important values in Japanese society. This video explores how respect is deeply rooted in communication – both verbal and non-verbal – between people of varying relationships and positions. Delving into how people should be addressed, the importance of humility and even the cultural norm to queue for the train, this is a fun and fact-filled resource for introducing key aspects of Japanese culture to beginner language learners. Show Less

There is no single word in the Japanese language for ‘gift’. Instead, every type of gift giving has its own name, which perhaps conveys how important a tradition the presenting and receiving of gifts is in Japanese culture. From mid-year gifts to obligation chocolate, this video explores many Japanese gift giving scenarios and provides topical vocabulary around each. Fun and fact-filled, this is an ideal resource for introducing key aspects of Japanese culture to beginner language learners. Show Less

The Romantic movement grew out of the Age of Enlightenment, nurturing the idea of the importance of the imagination — and then letting it run wild. This video explains the historical context behind the poetry of Romantics including Blake, Coleridge, Wordsworth, Shelley, Keats and Byron, discussing historical events, recurring themes and how the movement was received during its time. It provides a valuable accompaniment for senior secondary English students. Show Less

The Victorian era can appear starched, overly refined and repressed, but it was also a time when turbulent reforms were sweeping across Europe. This video explains the historical context behind the poetry of Victorian including Tennyson, Arnold, Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett Browning, discussing historical events, recurring themes and how the movement was received during its time. It provides a valuable accompaniment for senior secondary English students. Show Less

The early 20th century was one of the most volatile periods of history and poetry exposed the true nature of World War I. This video explains the historical context behind the poetry of war poets including Pope, McCrae, Brooke, Owen and Sassoon, discussing historical events, recurring themes and how the movement was received during its time. It provides a valuable accompaniment for senior secondary English students. Show Less

American pop artists such as Andy Warhol were inspired by their firsthand experiences of mass production and consumerism. This video explores the historical context behind the birth of American Pop Art, from its beginnings in the post-war economic boom and how it was influenced by the rise of pop culture and the cult of celebrity. A helpful introduction for secondary and tertiary students of art history. Show Less

Surrealist artists such as Salvador Dalí created art that reflected the horrors of war and the traumas buried in the unconscious mind. This video explores the historical context behind the rise of Surrealism, discussing ideas and events such as World War I and Dada, Sigmund Freud and psychoanalysis and the Spanish Civil War and fascism. A helpful introduction for secondary and tertiary students of art history. Show Less

Abstract Expressionists such as Jackson Pollock represented the liberal ideals of freedom of speech and self-expression in the United States. This video explores the historical context behind the birth of American Abstract Expressionism, discussing the influence of the Guggenheims in New York, the Cold War and communism and Carl Jung’s theory of archetypes. A helpful introduction for secondary students of art history. Show Less

The period following World War I was an era of widespread prosperity in the United States. Long Island, New York, became the playground of the privileged, exemplifying the excesses of the Jazz Age. This video investigates how the concept of the American Dream inspired and influenced F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel ‘The Great Gatsby’. It provides a valuable accompaniment to students studying this text. Show Less

By the mid-20th century, New Orleans had gone from a city modernised by the Jazz Age to a hub of poverty and crime. While middle-class Americans thrived, poor and marginalised segments of the population continued to struggle. This video explores how the idea of the American Dream inspired and influenced Tennessee Williams’ play ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’. It provides a valuable accompaniment to students studying this text. Show Less

The economic prosperity that swept the United States post-World War II changed lifestyles and attitudes greatly. The tragic murder of the Clutters, the epitome of the ideal American family, showed how the American Dream could go terribly wrong. This video delves into how the notion of the American Dream influenced Truman Capote’s ‘In Cold Blood’. It provides a valuable accompaniment to students studying this film. Show Less

By the 1940s, the travelling salesman had become a familiar part of American life and Americans were relishing their newfound economic prosperity. But beneath the country’s mask of economic contentment, many fears and anxieties continued to fester. This video looks at how the idea of the American Dream inspired and influenced Arthur Miller’s play ‘Death of a Salesman’. It provides a valuable accompaniment to students studying this film. Show Less

Like all works of literature, ‘Macbeth’ is a reflection of the time in which it was written. This video discusses the historical context of the play, including the ascension of James I, the Globe Theatre and how audiences would have responded to the opening scenes. Valuable insights from experts at the Shakespeare Schools Foundation make this essential viewing for secondary English and Drama students studying the play. Show Less

A central component of the ‘Scottish Play’ is the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. This video explores the nature and deterioration of their relationship in two key scenes: Act 3, Scene 4 and Act 5, Scene 5. Valuable insights from experts at the Shakespeare Schools Foundation make this essential viewing for secondary English and Drama students studying the play. Show Less

At the heart of the ‘Scottish Play’ are the characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth and their relationship. This video discusses one of their key scenes - Act 1, Scene 7 – explaining the meaning of the scene and discussing the language used within. Valuable insights from experts at the Shakespeare Schools Foundation make this essential viewing for secondary English and Drama students studying the play. Show Less

Over 400 years after Shakespeare’s death, his plays continue to be studied, discussed and performed around the world. This video delves into the literary devices used in ‘Macbeth’ and its major themes, explaining how they contribute to the timeless nature of the play. Valuable insights from experts at the Shakespeare Schools Foundation make this essential viewing for secondary English and Drama students studying the play. Show Less