Show 233 Friday 22 December

Watch today’s show at YouTube or BlipTV.

Hi, I'm Sarah. Welcome to The Daily English Show.
In the United Kingdom there is a royal family – which you probably know.
And Queen Elizabeth the 2nd is the head of the royal family.
And she is the head of state in New Zealand too – and 15 other countries. Here’s the list:
Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, and Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Growing up in New Zealand it always seemed pretty bizarre that this woman so far away was supposed to be our queen.
Every year she gives a Christmas message, on Christmas day. And my family didn’t have a TV – but if we were at a relative’s place we sometimes watched it ... I don’t ever remember listening to the content – we just had a giggle at the way she was speaking – because the way she speaks is quite unique. She speaks very slowly. It would probably be quite good for English students if we all started talking like the queen actually.

I just read a few of her old speeches on her website ... and I quite like their
messages. They’re quite peaceful.

This is part of her speech last year:

This last year has reminded us that this world is not always an easy or a safe place to live in, but it is the only place we have. I believe also that it has shown us all how our faith - whatever our religion - can inspire us to work together in friendship and peace for the sake of our own and future generations.

STICK NEWS

Kia ora this is Stick News. This year for the first time the Queen’s Christmas message will be available as a podcast.

Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor became the Queen of England and many other countries in 1952.
Since then she’s given a speech every year on Christmas day except 1969.
Elizabeth hasn’t her traditional dress style much over last 50 years.
But no one could accuse her of being a technophobe.
In 1955 her messages were able to be heard on TV.
Two years later, there were pictures too.
In 1998 the speech was on the internet.
And this year, The Queen’s Christmas Message will also be also be a podcast.

Royal commentators have speculated that it’s only a matter of time before the queen starts video blogging. Rumors are rife in Buckingham Palace that the queen is already addicted to YouTube.
And that was Stick News for Friday the 22nd of December.
Kia Ora.

the snow report

The sun was out again today. Mmm not good.

conversations with sarah
#143 Do you celebrate Christmas?

Step 1: Repeat Kaori’s lines.
Step 2: Read Kaori’s lines and talk to Sarah.

Kaori Are you a Christian?

Sarah No.

Kaori Do you celebrate Christmas?

Sarah Yeah, I do.

Kaori What do you usually do?

Sarah Well, since I’ve been in Japan – nothing special. But when I was in New Zealand I used to spend it with family.

Kaori Why do you celebrate Christmas if you’re not a Christian?

Sarah Well ... it means different things to different people. So for me it’s just a time to get together with family and have fun.

Kaori Are your parents Christian?

Sarah No, they’re not. But my grandparents are.

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