Definitions cited from the clip provider:

ACTA – ‘The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement’ is a proposed plurilateral agreement for the purpose of establishing international standards on intellectual property rights enforcement.

ACTA would establish a new international legal framework that would create its “own governing body outside existing international institutions” such as – the World Trade Organization (WTO), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) or the United Nations.

Watch this to learn more about ACTA and its possible trails:

Our son, a senior at Frankfurt International School, has applied to five universities in the U.K. And yes, starting university autumn 2012, we have to pay  £9,000 (US$ 14,200) in annual tuition fees.

Just like many other parents, we will be sitting here wondering if and how many colleges will accept him. Additionally, the criterion of getting accepted has been made more difficult by raising the International Baccalaureate (IB) points.

On the other hand, applications by U.K. born-students  have dropped 15.1% due to the increase in tuition fees.

I can foresee a great shift in academic education around Europe. Mobility in academics, among an increasing competitiveness, might just become the norm.

I read the German version about a year ago and was immediately captured by Katia’s writing style. In the end, I read all three books, with the first two The Copper Sign and The Silver Falcon being my favorites.

The second book also got me interested in falconry, which prompted a visit to the same falconry, where Katia had done her research on the topic.

The Copper Sign is a historical novel, set in the 13th century in medieval England. Ellenweore, the main character, is a young girl aspiring to become a sword smith. She manages to enter an apprenticeship and dreams of forging the perfect sword for the King someday.

She has to overcome many obstacles on her journey, all the while depicted as a strong protagonist. This historical fiction, with interesting tidbits along the way, makes for a very good read. The writing is so good that I am contemplating reading the same book once more – in English, this time.

Only today, 09 December 2012, Kindle readers can download The Copper Sign, written by Katia Fox, from Amazon.co.uk for only 99 pence including VAT & free wireless delivery via Amazon Whispernet.

This offer is only valid today (source: Katia Fox on facebook).

Note: Not available to buyers in Germany.

My initial reason for setting up this blog was the many requests I got from fellow teachers looking for employment. Being associated with Frankfurt International School supplies a big market for potential students.

But in the end, after having posted their names and contact information, not much came out. There were other ideas which looked great at first – as in important and needed – which also did not pan out.

The biggest accomplishment in itself is the fact that I still keep the blog. I have become a more confident writer and research more carefully. I know when to write and when to keep quiet.

Then I decided to let the blog develop a life of its own and this was the right thing to do, at least in my case.

It has been a fun five years and I have learned a lot.

Whatever business sector you are heading for, knowing which foreign language to focus on might be the key to success. If you are fortunate enough to get counsel from a business advisor, then take a look ahead to get a clear idea on what countries are likely to succeed in the near future.

Bloomberg published this Languages of Business Ranking.

Personally, I would opt for Korean language and culture as I see this country on the rise.

Additionally, running with the masses to study Mandarin is too conventional. By the time a foreign language looks promising for business, it might be too late already. Choose one based on the country’s future potential and get a head start.

Speaking of the underdog in business, learning Greek might be a long-term option. During this crisis, Greece might take this misfortune to reinvent itself. Without a real industry and too many college graduates afloat, the need for an industrial brand is obvious.

When I think of Austria, the crystal maker Swarovski comes to mind. The Swiss have their watch making industry. The Germans have their foothold in the car industry. The French have the Eiffel Tower to attract 80 million tourists a year. The list could go on. What product/industry comes to your mind when you think of Greece?

I’d like to think Greece will get through this ordeal and spend more time on innovation.

BBC offers  All you need to start learning Greek.

Since my husband and his colleagues (one of them had forwarded the article to him) are members of the English department, it is somewhat obvious they’d approve of real words to show emotion.

At the same time, maybe by coincidence, none of them are on facebook or twitter. My husband’s argument against social media is that he does not have time for it. He might, if he only wrote some emoticons along with his words. Darn, I almost used one now.

The article itself was very good to read. And yes, I do refrain from using emoticons in business e-mails. In business, using them is stepping too close to the subject, more like slapping your business partner on his back.

But when on social media, it becomes a necessary tool. At times, I might only have a minute to comment on somebody’s post and the emoticon saves me a lot of time from trying to explain I was only (trying to be) witty. See, these three words could have been substituted by one simple sign.

In real life, we can use our facial features to transcend the mood of the speaker. In social media, with so many non-native speakers around in the global network, we want to make doubly sure we are understood. And what better way than to accentuate it with a smiley face.

I had fun learning these Korean emoticons today and want to share them with you. Frankly, I can’t wait to add one of them to a post on facebook this evening.

^^ = happy

T.T = sad

-_- = annoyed

-_-;; = embarrassed

>< = totally excited

:S = confused

I am quite delighted to know The Copper Sign will soon be available in English as well.

Earlier this year, I also got to meet the author at a book reading in Bad Homburg.

Her first book is now available on pre-order at Amazon.com:

The Copper Sign

Release date: 06 December 2011.

The second book of her trilogy, The Silver Falcon, is scheduled for release in December 2012. No release date has been set for the trilogy’s final book.

When our spelling is perfect, it’s invisible. But when it’s flawed, it prompts strong negative associations.

- Marilyn vos Savant -

CASTING YOUNG TOMMY

The English Theatre Frankfurt is looking for talented boys to play the role of YOUNG TOMMY in our upcoming production, The Who’s Tommy.  In our adaption of the classic musical, Tommy appears as an adult, a young boy (aged 12-14) and a child (aged 7).

We are looking for six performers between 6 and 9 years and six performers between 10 and 15 years. The “young Tommys” have no speaking role and do not need to sing or dance, but should have some stage experience and a desire to act.

For further information about The Who’s Tommy, please visit our website at www.english-theatre.de

Auditions will be held on 17th September 2011 at the English Theatre and. 

Please send your application exclusively via e-mail to casting@english-theatre.de

You will then receive an invitation for the auditions; the auditions will take about 20 minutes.

The application should include a picture of your son as well as your address and contact information. We would appreciate also receiving a short description of your son’s stage experience (for example, in school theatre productions).

Rehearsals will take place from 1 to 11 November in Frankfurt, with performances running from 12 November 2011 to 12 February 2012. Each actor will perform only once each week.

During the autumn school holidays (17 to 23 November), two young actors accompanied by one parent each will take part in the production’s London rehearsals, with travel and accommodation costs paid for by the English Theatre.

Our son Thomas auditioned for the role of young Wolfgang in “Cabaret”  and played this role for over four months (2005/2006) . It was a good experience, for all of us.