News / How will BREXIT affect the immigrants in UK and Poland. [1114]

She's not resigning though Lyzko. She trotted off to see Queenie today to 'ask permission' to form a government and Queenie will give her the all clear - she always does. 'Yes of course since you've asked so nicely. Jolly good show. Pity about losing the majority. What a fearful nuisance for you dear. But never mind. Now what about a nice cup of tea?' Apparently the Democratic Unionist Party of all people from Northern Ireland are going to help out and give the Conservatives the back-up they need. They've done it before at various times. It's all beyond my simple logic but highly entertaining.

Study / British Council CELTA in Krakow, how would you rate it? [60]


Possibly an Australian citizen with origins elsewhere such as Indonesia hence the generally high standard of English but some typical errors. Although I accept that it's not possible to have qualified native speakers everywhere in the world, I would expect a TEFL teacher to know the difference between the present continous and the simple present. How on earth is he/she going to be able to teach it to students if he/she can't use it properly him/herself. I wouldn't be making an issue of it only for the fact that the OP is complaining about the quality of other students' work and the unfair treatement he/she has received. He should be grateful to have been allowed on to the course in the first place.

Study / British Council CELTA in Krakow, how would you rate it? [60]

Student1, do you have Aspergers or some other form of high functioning Autism? I'm not being sarcastic but I notice that you haven't responded directly or interacted with either of the posters who replied to your thread. You just carry on talking as if to yourself. You mention the importance of 'beautiful handouts' which suggests perfectionism. That often goes with Aspergers.

If you are somewhere on the Autistic spectrum perhaps people find you difficult to communicate with and this could be one of the reasons why you perceive yourself as being 'bullied'.

Study / British Council CELTA in Krakow, how would you rate it? [60]


That's plenty of time. It's not a thesis, only a lesson. If you're going to work as a teacher you'll have to learn to manage your prep time very efficiently. As time goes by though you will build up a collection of resources and will need to spend less time prepping.


Understandable on a course where you're trying to impress your tutors but in real life there's a good chance that many of your beautiful handouts will end up in the bin. I'm afraid students won't be that appreciative of your efforts. So don't spend hours and hours of effort and your free time on them unless you really love doing it.


You're at it again, with that weird use of the present continuous. It should be 'I have a point of view'. Watch that, because it's not good in a teacher of English. The simple present and present continuous is a stumbling block for learners but even if English is not your first language, a CELTA qualified teacher should know the difference.

Study / British Council CELTA in Krakow, how would you rate it? [60]

Here's a few tips for you:

No matter how upset you are, never, never forget to use paragraphs :)

Secondly you didn't necessarily waste your money. As long as you get your qualification at the end of it, the money wasn't wasted.

Thirdly, to be honest you sound as if you've had a few drinks. Maybe that's why there are no paragraphs!

Finally, sorry to say it, but you don't sound like a native English speaker. What's the story with the 'this is the second time I am having fever' business. Nobody says they are having fever. That use of the present tense is very much a usage associated with the speaker of English as a second language. Also we would normally say that we have a temperature/high temperature, not a fever.

News / Reporter says she would trade 10 Polish lives if it helped thousands of immigrants [61]


We've been down this road before Harry and the point has been made that the conflict in Northern Ireland was a territorial one, not a religious one, but I think the point you're making is that the Islamic terrorists are not representative of Islam just as the IRA or indeed the Loyalist Paramilitaries, were not true Catholics or true Protestants. But actually Martin McGuinness was a practising Catholic and indeed following the ceasefire and disarmament, he and Ian Paisley prayed together! I don't see why there's a problem with recognising that these guys are indeed Muslims and are killing in the name of Islam. That doesn't mean that all Muslims share those views, but merely that there are extremists in the Muslim community.

History / Seeking details of Polish Soldier - Carol Biscupec/Biskupec [7]

Further update. I just found an obituary notice for Karol Biskupek died August 2010 in Wansbeck General Hospital, Ashington,Northumberland, aged 85 years, so exactly the right age for your chap.

bmdsonline.co.uk/evening-chronicle-&-the-journal/death/karol-biskupek/31047645?s_source=tmne

The names of his children are given so they might be in the phone book. Worth a try anyway.

Just to add, in case you're not from the UK, that Newcastle-upon-Tyne is in the Northumberland region of England so it all fits.

History / Seeking details of Polish Soldier - Carol Biscupec/Biskupec [7]

Hi Heritageplus. My Polish is by no means fluent but I believe it translates as follows:

Karol Biskupek, born 6 April 1925, served in the second Corps. In 1948 was living in Newcastle on Tyne. Being sought by his family in Poland.

Language / American pancakes are not Poland's naleśniki! [45]

Or digest one either by the sounds of it!

Language / American pancakes are not Poland's naleśniki! [45]


Oh yes, they look a bit thinner than either muffins or crumpets. I looked it up and the hoe cake is also known as Johnny cake. In one of their songs I remember Boney M singing about eating 'fried fish and Johnny cake' :))

Language / American pancakes are not Poland's naleśniki! [45]


Absolutely, it's weird that, isn't it? I think it's because the temperature of the pan is so important and after that first pancake it's just right. Flipping/tossing the pancake is great fun - Mr Atch has now perfected this, very impressive, for one not born to it :)

Language / American pancakes are not Poland's naleśniki! [45]


Sorry Maf, just saw your comment now, how could have I overlooked you dear - my apologies. No, people use the terms separately but really calling them crêpes is just a bit of snobby nonsense as the ingredients of the batter are identical. The French sometimes make the batter a bit richer with cream and melted butter but lots of people make English pancakes with melted butter too ( I certainly do) and the final result is virtually identical to a crêpe, with a sort of 'lacy'appearance.

As to the English muffin, see above in my previous post :)


No, you must tilt the pan to spread the mixture evenly.

Language / American pancakes are not Poland's naleśniki! [45]


Now that's the same in Ireland, teacake has that mallow and choc topping, oh God they're delicious! Tunnocks' teacakes, those are the ones I used to get in Tesco. That sounds like a Scottish name. Must check it out.

Edit: just checked and yes, they're Scots! Lanarkshire. Scots wha hae wi' Wallace bled, aye!

Language / American pancakes are not Poland's naleśniki! [45]


All the proper ones do. There's usually a menu up on the wall that specifies eg 'fresh cod and chips' and they fry to order so you usually have to wait a few minutes.


Now that is interesting. I wonder why that would be.

Language / American pancakes are not Poland's naleśniki! [45]

There might be a problem with a constant supply of fresh fish? It has to be fresh. Also whilst cod might be easily available the other traditional fish such as plaice, hake, haddock etc might be harder to source. I don't think I've ever seen plaice or hake for sale in Warsaw, maybe it's a different story on the coast but I'm not sure if those fish are found in those waters.

Classifieds / Drive me around Warsaw June 1? [13]

Not me, it was an ad on the internet. Dirk was speculating about the cost of it so I found an example. I've noticed before that the prices of private tours/day trips are pretty outrageous. They seem to be mostly targeted at American visitors .

Classifieds / Drive me around Warsaw June 1? [13]

Ok, here's a price for you. 'First time in Warsaw' private tour, 8 hours duration, by car and foot, 270 US dollars plus lunch plus admission charges to museums etc.

Language / American pancakes are not Poland's naleśniki! [45]


Not everybody beats the egg whites. In this day and age probably only chefs in a Michelin starred restaurant. Standards are slipping Polly in more ways than just your favourites. However, the basic thing is to incorporate air in the mixture while you're stirring it. If you do it properly you will see air bubbles. The pancakes will still be very thin and flat (but then that's how they should be), but they will feel liight.

I think the nearest thing to American pancakes would be the English muffin which was once a popular breakfast dish. The crumpet was eaten at afternoon tea and the muffin at breakfast but both use yeast as the leavening agent. The ingredients in a muffin are almost identical to an American pancake, flour, raising agent (yeast), milk, sugar, egg and a little butter and they are fried. However because of the yeast you need to allow proving time. They're more bread-like than the American pancake.


It's one of the most delicious ways to eat fish if it's done properly, oil at the right temperature is crucial. Despite being deep fried the fish comes out so light and moist and not oily at all. I believe we have the Italians to thank for fish and chips. I think they introduced it to London. Certainly the first 'chippers' in Ireland, as we called the fish and chip shops, were all run by Italians. Best chipper in Ireland is Leo Burdocks though founded by a Dubliner over a hundred years. The fish is mouthwatering and the chips are done to perfection. It's a tiny little take-away and always jammed with people. You have to eat your fish and chips out of the paper outside. We would usually go to the nearby park in the grounds of St Patrick's cathedral and contemplate its ecclesiastical wonders whilst stuffing ourselves :))

Language / American pancakes are not Poland's naleśniki! [45]

Oh may the Lord give me patience, and you supposed to be the expert in cuisine. No, it's plain flour, no raising agent and like I said earlier Polly they're of the French crepe type. They are are very light if they're made properly. The secret is in how the batter is mixed, you can't rush it and folding in the egg whites (pre beaten) makes them very fluffy. They have to be fried in small dollops though, extremely thin, otherwise they will be stodgy.

No, nobody would eat golden syrup on them, at least I've never seen anyone do that. I wouldn't let you over the threshold, you old scallwyag, but I can give you the recipe I use if you like :)

Woops! I just checked and I see that scallywag is a different thing in American English, much more sinister and unpleasant. I meant it in the British English context of course!

USA, Canada / Online defamation law in the USA [19]

But that wasn't a law suit though was it? Interesting though.........if he's a minor I suppose he couldn't be prosecuted as such but the parents would be informed and I suppose it would be straight to bed with bread and water for supper.

USA, Canada / Online defamation law in the USA [19]

Tare an' ouns! Now that's what Dick Turpin would sound like. You're not very conversant with the language of the 18th century, particularly the lingo of the highwayman.

USA, Canada / Online defamation law in the USA [19]

The impracticalities and expense to which I refer in bringing a case in an American court have nothing to do with establishing the identities of users.

USA, Canada / Online defamation law in the USA [19]

Well good luck with that :)) People here are always banging on about legal repercussions etc but nothing ever comes of it. All mouth and trousers as the saying goes. In all seriousness though it would be very impractical and hideously expensive for a person based in Europe to sue somebody in an American court. So I don't think you'll see any court cases resulting from this forum.

USA, Canada / Online defamation law in the USA [19]

Well whoever his is he's made a good start. I'm sure somebody will have a go at him soon, and then he can bring a test case.

Language / American pancakes are not Poland's naleśniki! [45]


Polish teens like most are a mixed bag. Polish children under 12, I find delightful, very well mannered and possbily due to the overcrowded conditions in which most of them are raised, they are well able to behave themselves appropriately in adult company and have excellent social skills.


Basic pancake batter recipe Irish or English style would be flour, milk, eggs, and a knob of melted butter beaten into that (salted butter). Then left to stand ideally overnight and fried in butter but only the tiniest amount. My grandmother used to add only the egg yolks when making the batter and then beat the whites of the eggs separately and fold them into the batter before frying. Also she would have probably fried them in lard (smalec) but only just barely oiled the pan with it. Every Shrove Tuesday she used to cook a huge batch of pancakes for the men who worked in my grandfather's shop, there were about twelve of them :) and she wouldn't have stinted on second helpings I can tell you. The traditional way to serve them is to sprinkle with lemon juice and sugar and then roll them up. However nowadays kids often prefer jam, honey or God forbid, chocolate spread!

Language / American pancakes are not Poland's naleśniki! [45]


Crêpes. And yes it's still a popular custom, in Ireland too. We always make pancakes with the children in school that day. The smell is simply delicious! Of course our schools are not as fancy schmancy as American ones so it means bringing the kids into the staffroom in shifts and the teacher cooking the pancakes on the stove, keeping four pans going at once! It's lovely, very homey and domestic.


Most of them aren't brats Polly despite appearances. And they can be taught to say please and thank you. I can testify to that.

Language / American pancakes are not Poland's naleśniki! [45]


Not good at all Polly and I'm surprised at you for saying so. There are only two acceptable forms in which a child should request something - 'I would like' or 'Please may I have?' preferably the latter. 'I want' would get precisely nothing in my household I can tell you.

Now to the pancake business. I would think maybe this arises from the American/British English differences. In British English crêpes are known as pancakes and there is no equivalent of an American style pancake in British cuisine. Don't know if that helps or makes it more confusing!

Classifieds / Drive me around Warsaw June 1? [13]

That's a brilliant idea! Hope the OP checks back here instead of twiddling his thumbs waiting for an email.

Classifieds / Drive me around Warsaw June 1? [13]


Yes, but the big problem there is that he won't speak much English, if any at all. I agree that if the OP plans a route in advance he won't get lost. Warsaw is just not that big and if he really gets confused he can always take the taxi option at any time and ask to be taken back to the centre or indeed to the airport.

Classifieds / Drive me around Warsaw June 1? [13]

You don't need a car to get around Warsaw. You must be American :)) There is a really efficient, if somewhat overcrowded public transport system, you can pretty much go door to door on the tram and central Warsaw is quite small. Going around Warsaw by car you will spend plenty of time stuck in traffic and then looking for parking etc. I know it's nicer to have company especially if your guide has local knowledge, but I would say take the bull by the horns and do it yourself.

The 'must see' things in my opinion would be the Stare Miasto (Old Town) which would include doing the tour of the Royal Palace. From there you can wander down Krakowskie Przedmiescie and Nowy Świat. On the way you should stop for coffee in either Blikle or Wedel. I would favour Wedel because it has a bit of a Viennese coffee house vibe and gives a sense of pre-war years. Then you can go on to Palac Kultury (one entrance charge but lots of the exhibits are separate charges once you get inside. You probably won't be interested in most of them but you can't really visit Warsaw and not at least take a peek inside), and the Royal Park of Łazienki (free). If you're Jewish you might want to take a look some things of related interest but regardless of that you should also visit the Warsaw Uprising museum. If you want to get a flavour of 'real Warsaw' go the Hala Mirowska markets which are not far from the centre. Also while in the city centre you can take a riverside walk and then get the little ferry (free of charge, goes every twenty mins or so) across the river to Saska Kępa, in Praga, one of the older parts of Warsaw that survived the war fairly intact. There's been a lot of redevelopment but there are still tree lined quiet streets with pretty villas that have retained the spirit of the pre-war years. If you have the energy you could go out to Wilanów to visit the palace there.

Here's a good online guide that covers a lot of the basic information you need:

inyourpocket.com/warsaw/sightseeing

Hope the sun shines on you all day and you have a lovely time!