February 13, 2025

Bristol Language School is here

We temporarily moved our BLS website here, so that you can join our language courses. Please click the link to enrol on our spring language courses or see our current offer below:

Arabic 

Beginner Level 1 Course (CEFR A1.1): [Tutor Enas] online course, up to 6 students
Wednesday, 7.40-8.40pm, 8 x 60 min. lessons [on 30 April & 07, 14, 21, 28 May & 04, 11, 18 June 2025] £115 £110 Hurry, Early Bird discount ends 14th March! Course Programme Enrol now

Beginner Level 2 Course (CEFR A1.1): [Tutor Enas] online course, up to 6 students
Wednesday, 5.20-6.20pm, 8 x 60 min. lessons [on 30 April & 07, 14, 21, 28 May & 04, 11, 18 June 2025] £115 £110 Hurry, Early Bird discount ends 14th March! Course Programme Enrol now

Beginner Level 3 Course (CEFR A1.2): [Tutor Enas] online course, up to 6 students
Thursday, 7.40-8.40pm, 8 x 60 min. lessons [on 01, 08, 15, 22, 29 May & 05, 12, 19 June 2025] £115 £110 Hurry, Early Bird discount ends 14th March! Course Programme Enrol now

Elementary Level 4 Course (CEFR A1.2): [Tutor Enas] online course, up to 6 students
Wednesday, 8 x 60 min. lessons [on 30 April & 07, 14, 21, 28 May & 04, 11, 18 June 2025] £115 £110 Hurry, Early Bird discount ends 14th March! Course Programme Enrol now

Intermediate Level 7 Course (CEFR A2.2): [Tutor Enas] online course, up to 6 students
Thursday, 6.30-7.30pm, 8 x 60 min. lessons [on 01, 08, 15, 22, 29 May & 05, 12, 19 June 2025] £115 £110 Hurry, Early Bird discount ends 14th March! Course Programme Enrol now

By booking our language course, you agree with our T&C.

French

Beginner Level 1 Course (CEFR A1.1): [Tutor Guillemette] online course, up to 6 students
Tuesday, 7.30-8.30pm, 8 x 60 min. lessons [on 29 April & 06, 13, 20, 27 May & 03, 10, 17 June 2025] £115 £110 Hurry, Early Bird discount ends 14th March! Course Programme Enrol now

Beginner Level 2 Course (CEFR A1.2): [Tutor Guillemette] online course, up to 6 students
Tuesday, 6.20-7.20pm, 8 x 60 min. lessons [on 29 April & 06, 13, 20, 27 May & 03, 10, 17 June 2025] £115 £110 Hurry, Early Bird discount ends 14th March! Course Programme Enrol now

Beginner Level 3 Course (CEFR A1.2): [Tutor Guillemette] online course, up to 6 students
Tuesday, 4-5pm, 8 x 60 min. lessons [on 29 April & 06, 13, 20, 27 May & 03, 10, 17 June 2025] £115 £110 Hurry, Early Bird discount ends 14th March! Course Programme Enrol now

By booking our language course, you agree with our T&C.

German

Beginner Level 1 Course (CEFR A1.1): [Tutor Victoria] online course, up to 8 students
Thursday, 8-9.30pm, 8 x 90 min. lessons [on 01, 08, 15, 22, 29 May & 05, 12, 19 June 2025] £135 £130 Hurry, Early Bird discount ends 14th March! Course Programme Enrol now

Beginner Level 2 Course (CEFR A1.1): [Tutor Victoria] online course, up to 8 students
Tuesday, 6.20-7.50pm, 8 x 90 min. lessons [on 29 April & 06, 13, 20, 27 May & 03, 10, 17 June 2025] £135 £130 Hurry, Early Bird discount ends 14th March! Course Programme Enrol now

Beginner Level 3 Course (CEFR A1.1): [Tutor Victoria] online course, up to 8 students
Thursday, 6.15-7.45pm, 8 x 90 min. lessons [on 01, 08, 15, 22, 29 May & 05, 12, 19 June 2025] £135 £130 Hurry, Early Bird discount ends 14th March! Course Programme Enrol now

Elementary Level 1 Course (CEFR A1.2): [Tutor Victoria] online course, up to 8 students
Wednesday 7.45-9.15pm,  8 x 90 min. lessons [on 30 April & 07, 14, 21, 28 May & 04, 11, 18 June 2025] £135 £130 Hurry, Early Bird discount ends 14th March! Course Programme Enrol now

Elementary Level 3 Course (CEFR A1.2): [Tutor Victoria] online course, up to 8 students
Monday, 8.10-9.40pm, 8 x 90 min. lessons [on 28 April & 05, 12, 19 May & 02, 09, 16, 23 June 2025] £135 £130 Hurry, Early Bird discount ends 14th March! Course Programme Enrol now

Intermediate Level 1 Course (CEFR A2.1): [Tutor Victoria] online course, up to 8 students
Tuesday, 8.10-9.40pm, 8 x 90 min. lessons [on 29 April & 06, 13, 20, 27 May & 03, 10, 17 June 2025] £135 £130 Hurry, Early Bird discount ends 14th March! Course Programme Enrol now

Intermediate Level 2 Course (CEFR A2.1): [Tutor Victoria] online course, up to 8 students
Monday, 6.20-7.50pm, 8 x 90 min. lessons [on 28 April & 05, 12, 19 May & 02, 09, 16, 23 June 2025] £135 £130 Hurry, Early Bird discount ends 14th March! Course Programme Enrol now

Upper-Intermediate Course (CEFR B1.1): [Tutor Victoria] online course, up to 6 students
Tuesday, 5.05-6.05pm, 8 x 60 min. lessons [on 29 April & 06, 13, 20, 27 May & 03, 10, 17 June 2025] £115 £110 Hurry, Early Bird discount ends 14th March! Course Programme Enrol now

By booking our language course, you agree with our T&C.

Italian

Beginner Level 1 Course (CEFR A1.1): [Tutor Maria] online course, up to 8 students
Tuesday, 6.20-7.50pm, 8 x 90 min. lessons [on 29 April & 06, 13, 20, 27 May & 03, 10, 17 June 2025] £135 £130 Hurry, Early Bird discount ends 14th March! Course Programme Enrol now

Beginner Level 2 Course (CEFR A1.2): [Tutor Maria] online course, up to 8 students
Monday, 6.20-7.50pm, 8 x 90 min. lessons [on 28 April & 12, 19 May & 02, 09, 16, 23, 30 June 2025] £135 £130 Hurry, Early Bird discount ends 14th March! Course Programme Enrol now

By booking our language course, you agree with our T&C.

Japanese 

Beginner Level 1 Course (CEFR A1.1): [Tutor Shiho] online course, up to 8 students
Thursday, 6.20-7.50pm, 8 x 90 min. lessons [on 01, 08, 15, 22, 29 May & 05, 12, 19 June 2025] £135 £130 Hurry, Early Bird discount ends 14th March! Course Programme Enrol now

By booking our language course, you agree with our T&C.

Mandarin Chinese

Beginner Level 1 Course (CEFR A1.1): [Tutor Zhao] online course, up to 8 students
Wednesday, 8-9.30pm, 8 x 90 min. lessons [on 30 April & 07, 14, 21, 28 May & 04, 11, 18 June 2025] £135 £130 Hurry, Early Bird discount ends 14th March! Course Programme Enrol now

Beginner Level 2 Course (CEFR A1.1): [Tutor Zhao] online course, up to 8 students
Wednesday, 6.20-7.50pm, 8 x 90 min. lessons [on 30 April & 07, 14, 21, 28 May & 04, 11, 18 June 2025] £135 £130 Hurry, Early Bird discount ends 14th March! Course Programme Enrol now

By booking our language course, you agree with our T&C.

Polish

Beginner Level 1 Course (CEFR A1.1): [Tutor Łucja] online course, up to 6 students
Tuesday, 5.30-6.30pm,  8 x 60 min. lessons [on 29 April & 06, 13, 20, 27 May & 03, 10, 17 June 2025] £115 £110 Hurry, Early Bird discount ends 14th March! Course Programme Enrol now

Beginner Level 2 Course (CEFR A1.1): [Tutor Łucja] online course, up to 6 students
Tuesday, 6.45-7.45pm,  8 x 60 min. lessons [on 29 April & 06, 13, 20, 27 May & 03, 10, 17 June 2025] £115 £110 Hurry, Early Bird discount ends 14th March! Course Programme Enrol now

Elementary Level 5 Course (CEFR A1.2): [Tutor Ewa] online course, up to 6 students
Monday, 8.10-9.10pm, 8 x 60 min. lessons [on 28 April & 12, 19 May & 02, 09, 16, 23, 30 June 2025] £115 £110 Hurry, Early Bird discount ends 14th March! Course Programme Enrol now

Intermediate Level 6 Course (CEFR A2.1): [Tutor Ewa] online course, up to 6 students
Monday, 7-8pm, 8 x 60 min. lessons [on 28 April & 12, 19 May & 02, 09, 16, 23, 30 June 2025] £115 £110 Hurry, Early Bird discount ends 14th March! Course Programme Enrol now

By booking our language course, you agree with our T&C.

Portuguese

Beginner Level 1 Course (CEFR A1.1): [Tutor Patricia] online course, up to 8 students
Monday, 6.20-7.50pm, 8 x 90 min. lessons [on 28 April & 12, 19 May & 02, 09, 16, 23, 30 June 2025] £135 £130 Hurry, Early Bird discount ends 14th March! Course Programme Enrol now

Intermediate Level 3 Course (CEFR A2.2): [Tutor Patricia] online course, up to 8 students
Monday, 8-9.30pm, 8 x 90 min. lessons [on 28 April & 12, 19 May & 02, 09, 16, 23, 30 June 2025] £135 £130 Hurry, Early Bird discount ends 14th March! Course Programme Enrol now

By booking our language course, you agree with our T&C.

Russian

Beginner Level 1 Course (CEFR A1.1): [Tutor Debbie] online course, up to 6 students
Thursday, 7.30-8.30pm, 8 x 60 min. lessons [on 01, 08, 15, 22, 29 May & 05, 12, 19 June 2025] £115 £110 Hurry, Early Bird discount ends 14th March! Course Programme Enrol now

Beginner Level 3 Course (CEFR A1.2): [Tutor Debbie] online course, up to 6 students
Tuesday, 7-8pm, 8 x 60 min. lessons [on 29 April & 06, 13, 20, 27 May & 03, 10, 17 June 2025] £115 £110 Hurry, Early Bird discount ends 14th March! Course Programme Enrol now

Elementary Level 6 Course (CEFR A2.2): [Tutor Debbie] online course, up to 6 students
Wednesday, 7-8pm, 8 x 60 min. lessons [on 30 April & 07, 14, 21, 28 May & 04, 11, 18 June 2025] £115 £110 Hurry, Early Bird discount ends 14th March! Course Programme Enrol now

By booking our language course, you agree with our T&C.

Spanish

Beginner Level 1 Course (CEFR A1.1): [Tutor Alberto] online course, up to 6 students
Monday, 8.10-9.10pm, 8 x 60 min. lessons [on 28 April & 12, 19 May & 02, 09, 16, 23, 30 June 2025] £115 £110 Hurry, Early Bird discount ends 14th March! Course Programme Enrol now

Beginner Level 2 Course (CEFR A1.2): [Tutor Alberto] online course, up to 6 students
Monday, 7-8pm, 8 x 60 min. lessons [on 28 April & 12, 19 May & 02, 09, 16, 23, 30 June 2025] £115 £110 Hurry, Early Bird discount ends 14th March! Course Programme Enrol now

Beginner Level 3 Course (CEFR A1.2): [Tutor Alberto] online course, up to 6 students
Monday, 5.45-6.45pm, 8 x 60 min. lessons [on 28 April & 12, 19 May & 02, 09, 16, 23, 30 June 2025] £115 £110 Hurry, Early Bird discount ends 14th March! Course Programme Enrol now

By booking our language course, you agree with our T&C.

Please get in touch if you need your level assessed or you need more information about our language courses: office@bls-courses.co.uk & +44 (0)7938038875.

If you’re interested in individual tuition (general, business or exam preparation), please follow the link.

We currently work on our new website, as our previous one got too old. We hope it’s ready very soon.

Thank you for learning languages with Bristol Language School.

BLS Team

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December 11, 2024

Book review: Breath by James Nestor

“If I had to limit my advice on healthier living to just one tip, it would be simply to learn how to breathe better.” Andrew Weil

As we’re approaching the end of 2024, I think I’m brave to say that if there is one book you read in 2025, let it be Breath by James Nestor. For your health, well-being and overall sanity. Yes, I’m serious. I read it a few months ago, but waited for the right (aka free!) moment to put together this short review, as I wanted to recommend this book to you. I found this publication fascinating: from knowledge of the past, interesting experiments, scientific facts to practical advice. While reading the book I was becoming more and more aware of my own breath, and I slowly started re-discovering the beauty of breathing. To introduce any changes into my breathing practice sounded so simple, but in reality, it was and still is much more challenging. I’m not going to share more details about this book, as I don’t want to spoil the pleasure of reading it yourself, and discovering the story behind our own breath.

As I’m publishing my words in December, I’m taking this opportunity to wish you a wonderful and calm Christmas, and a most prosperous New Year, 2025! Thank you for reading my blog and let’s meet here in 2025!

With love, Kinga

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November 20, 2024

Travelling corner: Returning to Exmoor (Autumn 2024)

I last wrote here in July and it feels exciting to be back with a travel story after a while. We first visited Exmoor 10 years ago in early autumn, then we returned to this region five years ago and that was in winter. This year, we went back in the autumn. The weather was nice: some sunshine, mostly cloudy (but it didn’t rain!).

Slowing down

We didn’t plan much for our stay in Exmoor. I think it can be difficult to slow down when travelling or on holiday, and I try to do my best to actually relax. To be able to enjoy my morning (barley!) coffee without any rush, chatting about everything with my family or reading for pleasure. Exmoor is surrounded by beautiful nature, hills, sea and ancient forests, so even having a walk is a treat in itself.

Walking

Walking in Exmoor is a different level of experiencing nature. When we went in the autumn, we felt the smells of the mushrooms and damp soil, the colours were beautiful and falling leaves made the walking experience more magical.

Minehead

We enjoyed starting our time in Exmoor by climbing the North Hill which begins in Minehead. We didn’t manage to reach the peak this year, but walking was fulfilling our need to just be in nature. While in Exmoor, we also went to visit the tiny museum in Minehead; it’s opposite the steam train station (oh yes, you can go on a stream train ride from Minehead!). I enjoyed reading about Punch and Judy, who were local marionettes giving shows in Minehead – it’s a shame that this puppetry tradition belongs to the past now. We also visited our favourite place, The Toucan Café, which serves delicious dark hot chocolate (of course, it needs to be dark!).

What are your memories from visiting Exmoor? Please let me know in the comments below.

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July 3, 2024

Travelling Corner: Camping Postcard (Summer 2024)

I’m sending you this virtual postcard from our camping trip we went on a month ago. We’re already back, but I wanted to send you some greetings from the sea just as summer has begun. I’m planning to take some time off blogging to complete other projects and spend some idyllic time with my family and friends. I started reading some very interesting books, so I just can’t wait to share their reviews here (see my recent book reviews on the school’s blog). Wishing you a lovely summer, full of sunshine and nature.

See you in September!

What are your summer plans? Please let me know in the comments below.

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May 22, 2024

Book Recommendations. Summer 2024 Edition.

Since being less present online, I have started reading more. I have collected a list of my favourite books over the last few months and here are my recommendations for summer 2024. You’re welcome to add them to your summer reading list 😉

It’s Going to Hurt by Adam Kay

It’s as funny as it is terrifying and sad. It’s written in the form of a diary by a doctor journaling his path as a junior up to the more senior positions. It has some interesting medical terms (for those loving words, me!), but overall the stories flow nicely and the language is approachable. It’s interesting to get to know some ins and outs and bests and worsts of being a medical doctor.

Lady’s Guide to Scandal by Sophie Irwin

The perfect summer read. Light, funny, gossipy and elegant. I couldn’t put the book down, was too curious to close it without turning a page to read just a bit more. I’ll need to read other books by Sophie Irwin.

The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady By Edith Holden

My copy (from the library) has drawings and hand-written journal entries. It’s a year-long journal with beautiful illustrations of trees, flowers, birds and insects. Each month has a short etymological explanation, days to note and month’s mottos, poems and the author’s nature diary. The richest months are in summer, so I recommend reading it now and getting some inspiration for long walks in nature.

What’s on your summer reading list this year? Please let me know in the comments below.

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April 17, 2024

Travelling corner: Exploring South Pembrokeshire (Wales, UK)

I like returning to South Pembrokeshire in Wales. It has some therapeutic effect on my body and mind. Our favourite beaches and spots we enjoy visiting are all there. Last summer, we wanted to explore this region even more and I’d like to share some of our travel stories with you today. Perhaps you can use them as an inspiration for the coming warmer weather.

Bosherston Lily Ponds

I wanted to go for a walk around the Bosherston Lakes for a while, but somehow I thought it’s a long walk and might be too strenuous for my kids’ little feet to complete. I was surprised that the walk actually takes only about 30 minutes one way! It’s an easy path along the lily ponds with a beautiful destination point: Broad Haven South Beach. There is a NT car park in the village of Bosherston.

Carew Castle

We like visiting castles in summer and last year we chose Carew Castle. To be honest with you, I was positively surprised by this visit. The castle is nicely restored, with a café, small playground and toilets at the entrance. In the castle itself, there are many rooms to visit, towers to climb, and you can even try your archery skills. On top of that, the castle hosts events and last summer we attended a fairy event, which my girls enjoyed a lot. We also went for a walk to the tidal mill where we visited a well-equipped museum with a little play area for children with an authentic quern and seeds to make flour.

Caldey Island

What a paradise island to visit. We parked our car in Tenby, walked to the harbour and sailed in a little boat to Caldey Island. It is an island of monks, wild nature, interesting architecture and locally-made chocolate. Just walking around the island feels so surreal and magically beautiful, and these impressions come from both nature and the surrounding buildings. To end our island stay, we went to the beach to enjoy the shallow seashore and lagoon waters. Even though there were many people in the sea, we spotted a seal swimming nearby.

Do you have a favourite travel destination you enjoy returning to? Please let me know in the comments below.

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March 20, 2024

Book review: Hunt, Gather, Parent by Michaeleen Doucleff

I saw this book recommended on one of the parenting channels and for some reason, I felt it was going to be an interesting read. I wasn’t disappointed. In a way, it presents a sad picture, because it shows that something as natural as being a parent has become a struggle. These days, I have a feeling that many parents could relate to the author’s parenting struggles and the overwhelming feeling of helplessness. When reading Doucleff’s publication, I went back to my favourite books which I read years ago, e.g. to Jean Liedloff and The Continuum Concept. In the first chapter of The Continuum Concept, we read about the author’s reaction and how she felt shame by the fact that in the US, women feel inadequate bringing up their children, unless they read a book written by a strange male. [p. 14] The second book I went back to was Siblings without Rivalry by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish​​. In this publication, we find so many examples where adult parents still feel so much pain because of their own childhood and how they were raised.

Now, let’s go back to Hunt, Gather, Parent. Why had this book been written? As you can guess, because of the mother’s struggles and her difficult life where her beloved little daughter became her enemy. The author was so desperate to find a solution to her own parenting struggles that she decided to embark upon a mission to find the answer. She visited some hunter-gatherer cultures where parents build a relationship with their children based on cooperation, trust and personalised needs. [p. 7] She visited a Maya village in Mexico, an Inuit village of Kugaaruk in Canada and a Hadzabe village in Tanzania. With each visit, she made some inspiring observations which changed the way she parented herself. In the Maya community, she found the most flexible and cooperative children; in the Inuit community, it was the emotional intelligence of the parents and grandparents and finally; in the Hadzabe community, it was the autonomy and courage of the children.

The book also contains some wise words from members of the community. We read that:

“In Maya culture, there’s a belief that everybody has a purpose (…)” [p. 76]

“When you yell at children, they stop listening.” [p. 145]

“With the !Kung hunter-gatherers in southern Africa, the word for ‘learning’ and ‘teaching’ is the same (n!garo), and parents will often use the phrase ‘She’s teaching/learning herself’ while a child is trying to figure out how to do something. Why interrupt their learning?” [p. 252]

For me, one of the most beautiful stories was the peaceful birth story of the Inuit mum. I also enjoyed learning about a special word for a kiss for the Inuit children called a kunik; this is when you put your nose against the child’s cheek and sniff their skin. [p. 145] However, the element that I didn’t like or understand much was about parenting through scary stories (I need to research this more!).

The book definitely made me think about my own parenting style and the parenting styles present in Western culture. Have you read this book or a similar one? Please let me know in the comments below.

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February 21, 2024

Goodbye 2023 and hello 2024

Hello for 2024. It’s my first post of the New Year. I hope it’s been a good year for you so far.

Before writing this post, I went through my last year’s reflections and plans. It’s interesting to see what was important to me then.

So first let’s see what 2023 was like. It was a bit more of a challenging year for me. I think it required more of my energy to navigate our home, home-education, children-raising and my business. But, we did it. It was also a year of beautiful trips, theatre, family and friends’ visits, amazing nature walks, family bike trips and wild swims. I also started being less online on social media and noticed how liberating it was. Even though I wasn’t a frequent social media user, it still played a role in my daily life. Now, I try to visit once or twice a week and try to make the time I spend more focused and short. Why was this important for me? Because this gave me some mental freedom and instead my curiosity and appetite for other interests grew. I started cooking and reading more. I’m happy I chose this path, even though I still see a part of social media as being educational and inspirational, but with my limited presence there, it’s enough for me.

So what are my plans for 2024? I definitely want to continue being less on social media. I plan to write on my blog regularly: books, home-education, sustainable travels and bilingualism. I’d also like to have monthly dates with myself, my husband and all my children (individually!). It’s important to me to have this one-to-one time: to enjoy those special moments in each other’s company. I want to continue reading and listening to podcasts in three languages and during this year I’d like to add a 4th language. Finally, I want to find joy and comfort in my simple daily life.

These are my reflections on 2023 and visions for 2024. Have you made plans / visions / dreams for the New Year? Please let me know in the comments below.

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December 13, 2023

Book review: Don’t Worry by Shunmyō Masuno

If not now, when? [p. 73]

If you remember my book review of Zen: The Art of Simple Living, I mentioned in it that this book was my bedtime story. The same actually happened with another publication by Masuno. Don’t Worry was also my bedtime read, as it made me calm and positive before falling asleep. 

The book is divided into 5 parts with 48 short chapters and is beautifully illustrated. Each chapter can be treated as a little prompter to meditate and reflect on some important life matters, e.g. about being gracious, cherishing the morning, going with the flow, making good connections and being a good listener, as well as more practical / fundamental topics like money, aging, illness and death.  

Here are some of my favourite words of wisdom:

“It’s okay to feel down, but get yourself up again soon” [p. 55]

 “Words possess awesome power” [p. 97]

“Your turn will surely come around” [p. 100]

 “You be you, and let others be themselves” [p. 114]

“The more you’re able to forgive, the happier you’ll be” [p. 180]

I’m taking this opportunity to wish you a wonderful and calm Christmas and a most prosperous New Year of 2024! Thank you for reading my blog and let’s meet back in January!

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November 22, 2023

Book review: The most inspirational books on education and home-schooling

Five years ago, I completed a post-graduate diploma in education at Bristol University. I mostly focused my research on bilingualism and language education. Back then I discovered Ken Robinson and his most famous publication ‘Creative schools’. When we started home-schooling our children two years ago, I was greatly inspired by “Kreda”, a Polish magazine on education and home-schooling (sadly, the print version will be discontinued from September 2023). But recently, I felt this urge to read more on education and home-schooling to get even more inspired and broaden my horizons on these subjects. Here are the books that are a great inspiration to me:

Home Education. Vol. 1. by Charlotte Mason

“The resourcefulness which will enable a family of children to invent their own games and occupations through the length of a summer’s day is worth more in the afterlife than a good deal of knowledge about cubes and hexagons.” (p. 191)

Charlotte Mason’s publication can be treated as a framework for home education. It was written more than a century ago, at the turn of the 20thcentury, so you might think it would represent some old-fashioned values and ideas, but I think her vision is as relevant today. For example, she sees education as an atmosphere, where the child’s natural surroundings, people and things form the home-schooling life together. She also points out the importance of forming habits whether in regard to education, healthy diet, savoir-vivre or having a rest. She writes fondly about the outdoors, nature, foreign languages, music and art. Charlotte Mason references many books (would love to read some of them!) and even provides some detailed instructions on how to teach children to read or write.

Free to Learn by Peter Gray

“When language play is carried into adulthood, we call it poetry.” (p. 123)

This is a fascinating read on the role of play in children’s education. It’s so well-written that when I read it, it felt more like a detective story than a non-fiction publication. On many different levels it made me sad. When we look at a school’s compulsory system, the obligation to sit and learn, to follow the teacher’s guide, to spend hours indoors and only short breaks outdoors, to be quiet and follow the rules, etc. Why? Because we want our children to succeed, to go to a ‘good’ university, to have a ‘good’ job and a ‘good’ life. But we don’t need to take away this tremendously important learning tool of letting our children play. Our children can still be successful and happy in their adult life. Just some food for thought. I’d make this book compulsory (!) to any parent (before their child/ren starting any form of education). 

Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv

“Not everything that can be counted counts and not everything that counts can be counted.” Quote attributed to Albert Einstein

This book is as fascinating and eye-opening as it is sad. It tells some realistic truths about our disconnection from nature, how children no longer play and explore freely the outdoors. It says that the value of knowing and understanding nature is less and less important for schools and universities, even though “[a]ny natural place contains an infinite reservoir of information, and therefore the potential for inexhaustible new discoveries.”. [p. 68] Through his extended research and interviews, Adam Louv not only tries to analyse children’s relationship with nature in the modern times, he also provides solutions on a micro and macroscale. Last Child in the Woods beautifully corresponds with the ideas presented in Free to learn, but obviously with an emphasis on nature. I couldn’t read more than a few short chapters in one go, as I needed time to digest its content. It’s written from an American perspective, but also includes some references to Europe.

What are your most inspirational books on education? Please let me know in the comments below.

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