🎆 August highlight: The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

📍The castle. The music. The atmosphere.

For 3 weeks in August, visitors gather beneath the floodlit castle to watch drummers, dancers and performers from around the world. There's no other performance like it in the world!

🟦 Edinburgh is in full swing

August in Edinburgh vibrates with theatre, music, parades and people from every corner of the world. Among the fireworks and fringe shows, you can always find quiet moments. A good cup of tea. A long walk. A shared story in class. A penguin on a rock.

This month, we’re focusing on everyday joy. So we invite you to focus on the sights, sounds and sensations of Edinburgh in August.

✍️ Language & wellbeing - Small steps to feel good in English

One of our students from Germany, Elke, told us her go-to way to relax when stressed.

“I just watch the penguin webcam from Edinburgh Zoo. It calms me down every time.”

🐧 Watch the penguins live

🎺 Curious Scotland: Sir Nils Olav

Yes, it’s true. Edinburgh is home to Sir Nils Olav — a penguin. He lives at Edinburgh Zoo and holds the official title of Brigadier Sir Nils Olav III. He’s also the mascot of the Norwegian King’s Guard and gets inspected during the Tattoo. He even has a knighthood. Really we’re not making this up.

Another activity to try in English

This month’s mindset focus is gratitude. Try writing down three things that made you smile — in English each day. They don’t have to be big.

• I saw a dog wearing a tartan jacket.
• I understood 70% of the podcast I listened to in English.
• I had a really good cheese and tomato sandwich.

Here are some helpful phrases:

• at peace = feeling calm and content
• ticking along = not amazing, but doing OK
• a quiet joy = a small but deep sense of happiness
• grateful for… = showing appreciation
• uplifted = feeling better after something nice

We like the journal ideas from Intelligent Change — simple, reflective and kind.

🎧 Listen & learn: The anatomy of a smile

This month’s podcast pick comes from the BBC:

🎙️ What’s Up Docs? — The Science of Smiling

Doctors (and twins) Chris and Xand explore how smiling affects the brain, body and even other people.

Is it only humans who smile? Does smiling make up happier?

👂 A great listen for B1-C1 learners interested in health, science and humour.

📚 Summer book club

Looking for a gentle read with heart?

Try The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle by Jennifer Ryan

A story of friendship, community and creativity during wartime Britain. Perfect for summer afternoons.

The language is serene and descriptive, making it a great choice for learners of English who enjoy historical fiction. You’ll find everyday vocabulary, emotional expression and strong female characters. This is all wrapped up in a story about sewing, community and unexpected courage.

🎧 This month’s reflection: What makes a good life?

🧠 Watch the TED Talk How to increase your happiness.

📝 Ask yourself:

What’s one small thing that makes you feel good — in any language? Could you describe it in English?