Tanisi (Year 8) Editor's note: Current Year 9 student Tanisi wrote this short essay during their time in Year 8. It is fantastic to see some of our passionate younger students engaging with the GSAL Journal. Tanisi argues that conflict is a natural and inevitable aspect of human interaction, often driving societal change and growth … Continue reading Conflict
Category: Language & Culture
Inherent Sexism in the English Language
Eve (Year 12) Editor's note: Eve wrote this fascinating and well-written article during her time in Year 12 at GSAL. This essay, written for the spoken mode, was entered into the annual MASSOLIT Video Essay Competition. CPD Our language, like so many others, evolved through ages where the patriarchy dominated, resulting in English, which is … Continue reading Inherent Sexism in the English Language
Exploring the Tudigong, a history and deeper exploration of meaning and symbolism in relation to divine protection.
Felicity (Year 12) Editor's note: Year 12 student Felicity entered this essay into the Girton College, Cambridge, annual Humanities Writing Competition. Entrants were asked to research and write beyond the curriculum, using one or more of five selected objects from the Lawrence Room museum as their focus. Focusing on Girton’s museum collection in the Lawrence Room, the … Continue reading Exploring the Tudigong, a history and deeper exploration of meaning and symbolism in relation to divine protection.
Is a world without borders possible, and should it be pursued?
Francis (Year 7) Editor's note: This essay was recently entered into the Minds Underground: Young Minds Essay Competition. CPD In my personal view, it is highly unlikely that world-leaders would co-operate to such a high standard that such a utopia is achievable, I can explain this belief in two issues that lie in contemporary politics. … Continue reading Is a world without borders possible, and should it be pursued?
Lost in translation: stop renaming the problem and start addressing it
Afoluwaso (Year 12) Editor's note: "Mrs C is my English language teacher, and I recently did a timed practice for her. I was to write an editorial opinion piece expressing my thoughts on language in the workplace, one of our topics on the spec. Mrs C was very pleased with my work and suggested I … Continue reading Lost in translation: stop renaming the problem and start addressing it
It’s a Prison Honey, Not a Hotel: Exploring the delicate perch on which occupational language sits
Matthew W - Year 13 Student Editor's Note: Year 13 student Matthew W looks at language in the workplace and through intelligent wit and snappy sentences demonstrates how language, jargon and 'phatic talk' exist alongside one another. EB Using language at work can be tough. Understanding all the nonsense and corporate jargon can be tricky, … Continue reading It’s a Prison Honey, Not a Hotel: Exploring the delicate perch on which occupational language sits
Essay on Chinua Achebe’s ‘Dead Men’s Path’
Ara M - Year 9 Student Editor's Note: Year 9 Student Ara M interrogates Chinua Achebe's 'Dead Men's Path' by analysing key word choices that highlight themes of colonialism, racism and power. A short, sharp and clever essay. EB While Chinua Achebe shows evidence of the Native Culture dying, that is just on the surface … Continue reading Essay on Chinua Achebe’s ‘Dead Men’s Path’
Inherent Sexism in the English Language
Eve - Year 12 Student Editor's Note: Year 12 Student, Eve G has entered the below essay into the video essay competition: Massolit. She thoughtfully considers how language is inherently bias towards the heteronormative man and does this by exploring multiple linguistic examples. EB Our language, like so many others, evolved through ages where the … Continue reading Inherent Sexism in the English Language
#BreakTheBias: Coco Chanel
Eloise - Year 7 Student Editor's note: This excellent essay was the Year 7 Winner in the GSAL International Women's Day Essay Competition 2022, open to all students in Year 7-9. The challenge was to write a 150-250 word essay on one female trailblazer or change-maker from the past, outlining their accomplishments and explaining why … Continue reading #BreakTheBias: Coco Chanel
#BreakTheBias: Harriet Tubman
Hattie - Year 8 Student Editor's note: This excellent essay was the Year 8 Winner in the GSAL International Women's Day Essay Competition 2022, open to all students in Year 7-9. The challenge was to write a 150-250 word essay on one female trailblazer or change-maker from the past, outlining their accomplishments and explaining why … Continue reading #BreakTheBias: Harriet Tubman










