Every week, we summarise the news to give you some insight into what is happening in Britain, and what people are talking about.

This week, people are preparing for Christmas, with the busiest shopping day predicted and bans on Christmas jumpers in pubs. There's also news of a new child wizard coming to TV, Big Ben will be under repair and the UK's best new house is announced.

We would like to thank you for working with us, attending our events and for supporting English language learning in the UK.

Winter can be one of the nicest times to visit the UK or study here, with festivals and events, snowy countryside and shopping under festive lights.

English UK is bidding farewell to Claire Wade, who has been on the English UK Membership team for two years as officer and covering Alice's maternity leave.

Christmas markets, roast turkey and mince pies are at the heart of a new English course now taking bookings in Devon.

Watch the nine inspirational Shakespeare Lives videos whose creators have won a fully funded scholarship to study English in the UK.

Get up-to-date with British news and culture with English UK

Every week, we summarise the news to give you some insight into what is happening in Britain, and what people are talking about.

This week, people are getting ready for Christmas, records outsell music downloads, Big Ben's factory to close and we find out about the woman who flew thousands of miles with birds.

Agata is currently improving her English to help her make a success of her new consultancy company and as a personal ambition. She was suprised by the size of UK cities, loves UK parks and even likes the weather!

You've heard of Angry Birds and Flappy Birds. But you probably haven't heard of Poopy Birds.

Get up-to-date with British news and culture with English UK
Every week, we summarise the news to give you some insight into what is happening in Britain, and what people are talking about.

This week, an 89-year-old man wants a job, the UK's newest bank note is causing trouble, find out who our highest-earning musicians are -  and would you eat banana and bacon pudding?