Sample English Class | The Rural Maker Economy
This blog takes you inside one of our English language holidays where you discover Scotland through English conversation.
The conversation topics include: Meet the Makers, Rural Economy (Scotland), Black Friday and the campaign: Just a Card.
The target language included presentation skills, expressing opinions, and structures for smooth social English skills.
This blog is intended for L2 English users to discover Scotland through learning English: the concept at the heart of Blue Noun English holidays.
English Immersion | Class Overview
Yesterday’s English class began by briefly discussing the American shopping phenomenon Black Friday, which has now become a regular event in the UK.
We then looked at an alternative shopping movement that our language school loves, called JUST A CARD.
Lastly, we visited a pop-up group exhibition showcasing local Crieff and Perthshire artists. (All photos on this page are from this exhibition).
Learn English Exploring Scotland
We pick a subject and explore it using a variety of media, including authentic conversation with our local community.
JUST A CARD publicity campaigns and merchandise.
Image Credit: JUST A CARD
“The JUST A CARD campaign aims to encourage people to support, value and buy from artists, designers, independent shops and small businesses by reinforcing the message that all purchases, however small, even ‘just a card’ are so vital to their prosperity and survival.”
JUST A CARD website, 2020
Discussion topic | The Just a Card Campaign for Artists
The Just a Card campaign came about when artist & designer Sarah Hamilton saw the quote:
“If everyone who’d complimented our beautiful gallery had bought ‘just a card,’ we’d still be open.”
This prompted Sarah Hamilton to action!
Designers/makers, independent shops, galleries and small businesses need a voice, and the campaign, Just a Card was formed.
“People seldom realise the considerable costs involved in exhibiting at design shows or keeping a shop open.
Stand fees, power, materials, wages etc need to be met before even a penny of profit can be realised.
Running a shop is often a labour of love. Without dedication and passion, and crucially sales, it would be another boarded up eyesore.”
Sarah Hamilton, JUST A CARD website, 2020
Just a Card | Culture-Led English Learning
As a conversation class exercise, we looked through Instagram at the numerous craftspeople and designers participating in the latest Just a Card campaign.
Our discussion shared the profiles of designers and makers whose work they enjoyed with each other.
They explained why they were attracted to certain works, building professional language skills for expressing opinions and presenting images/graphics in a meeting.
“Since 2015 we have been highlighting the value to both customers and independents of shopping small to keep our towns, high streets, markets, events and online small business economy vibrant. Whilst our campaign is UK based we have thousands of supporters from across the globe, including the USA, Canada, Australia and Africa all united in spreading the JUST A CARD message”.
JUST A CARD website, 2020
An Opportunity for Strathearn Artists
Meet the Makers
Blue Noun Language School was there, of course, (many of our partners and guest artists on Blue Noun’s holidays were exhibiting).
Language school guests enjoyed the generous hospitality of a Scottish exhibition opening and the chance to meet many of the local makers in person.
At our language hub, we know that feeling a deep connection with a place is key to lasting language skills. There’s more to language learning than vocabulary expansion and improved conversational skills.
See for Yourself, When You Learn English in Perthshire!
Buy Local | Positive Impact Tourism
The Crieff Arts Festival Pop Up Shop is open
10 am – 5 pm daily
until 22nd December.
Further Information