Language learning kicks off

The World Cup, holiday homes and budget airlines are feeding an unexpected passion for learning languages.

Rubbish at learning modern languages? Are you still shouting in English at bemused people in other countries? That used to be the stereotype of the English-speaker abroad.

But is that all changing? Because this heatwave summer seems to be bringing a boom in language learning.

Language courses are reporting a surge in demand, newspapers have been giving away language-teaching CDs and language learning is the theme of BBC2's latest reality TV show, Excuse My French.

Stereotypes

So what's encouraged us out of our monoglot shells? And are languages really reaching the parts that they couldn't previously reach?

There could be something of a World Cup factor here – with the football fest in Germany making a very positive impression on the hundreds of thousands of England fans who went over.

Football fans might not be considered natural territory for language lessons. But before the competition, England football fans were offered a crash-course in learning a few German phrases – and this really does seem to have been an ice-breaker.

"It made a huge difference – particularly when fans saw the impact on ordinary people in Germany of being able to say hello or good evening in their language," says Mark Perryman, organiser of the Englandfans supporters' club in London, who took part in these lessons.

"It helped to break down barriers and it broke down the stereotypes about England fans. There's an assumption that the English, let alone football fans, would never learn a language."

Travelling fans were also impressed by how well so many Germans could speak English, he says. And it even created some multi-lingual bantering.

The Germans were singing "football's coming home" in English and the England fans learned how to sing it back in German, said Mr Perryman.

The language lessons for fans were set up by the Goethe Institute, (the German equivalent of the British Council) – and institute spokesman, Oliver Benjamin, says that this summer's German courses are fully booked.

Global village

"There's definitely been an increase in interest in learning more about the language and culture – and it's much more of a younger audience," he says.

"The World Cup has made our work a hell of a lot easier," says Mr Benjamin.

And he says the longstanding resistance to learning languages is being diminished. There had been an "island mentality and a certain arrogance that English is the world language".

But this is changing, he says, not least because the UK is part of a globalised, multilingual world. In London, only 57% of the population speaks English as a first language, he says. It's no longer unusual for people to move between languages.

It makes a change to hear optimistic news about modern language learning. University language departments have been closing because of a lack of students – and this in turn reflects how few pupils are taking languages at A-level.

And there have been repeated warnings from industry about the economic cost of our national deficit in language skills.

But rather than an academic or business interest, another driver for the current interest in learning languages is the unprecedented appetite for travel.

This weekend, at the start of the summer holidays, more than two million people flew out from UK airports. And it's no longer just package holidays and tourist resorts – people are exploring more independently and further a field.

Second home, second language

It might not make headlines, but this is a significant social change, with more people than ever getting a taste of other places, cultures and languages.

"With budget airlines and cheaper travel, people are mixing more, seeing the ways other people do things. There are loads of lads I know from places like Sunderland who fetch up in all kinds of places in a way they never would have done before," says Peter Daykin, a spokesman for the Football Supporters' Federation (FSF).

"People are now going abroad for a weekend to places like the Czech Republic, which once would have been unheard of," he says.

Mr Daykin was another visitor to the World Cup who left with a sense that the journey through Germany had been a very "positive experience" for fans – a long way from the negative stereotypes of the English as suspicious, tongue-tied travellers.

People aren't only travelling abroad, they're now taking their property mania with them. According to the Office for National Statistics, there are now almost 257,000 overseas holiday homes owned by people in the UK.

And the Institut Francais, which promotes French language and culture, says that second-homers are part of the growing demand for language lessons.

Francis Hetroy, director of languages at the institute, says that demand for French courses has risen by about 15% to 20% on last year, when there were about 7,000 students. And this includes very popular language courses offered in how to buy a property in France, he says.

Learning a language? Royaume Uni, douze points.

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Learning disabled ‘denied vote’

A leading disability charity has told BBC Wales people with learning disabilities are sometimes being denied their chance to vote.

Mencap Cymru cite the case of Stephen Thomas, 25, of Prestatyn, who has Down's Syndrome, has studied politics and had chosen his candidate.

But he was told there was nobody to help him read the ballot papers.

Denbighshire council says it is investigating but disputes the family's version of events.

At the polling booth, Mr Thomas' parents say they were asked if he was capable of voting at all.

Officials said there was no-one available to help him read the ballot papers so he could cast his vote.

Mr Thomas said: "I'm feeling upset about it.

"I couldn't go for the vote. I can't understand the questions.

"People can help me by reading the questions to me."

Mr Thomas' mother Susan told BBC Wales she was very embarrassed by the situation.

"Everybody was looking and listening to what was going on.

"We had no privacy whatsoever. We just wanted to get out of there.

"When we got there, I handed my card in and asked would it be alright for Stephen to vote.

"The returning officer asked if he'd be able to understand the questions.

"I said I didn't know, it was his first time.

"I asked would I be able to help him, not to influence him, but to help him read the questions."

She was told no, and that the returning officer could not read the questions either.

"By this time, the queue of voters was getting longer – they were looking and listening to everything that was going on.

"I was embarrassed, upset and angry."

The charity has said Mr Thomas' case was not unique.

They say they have several other incidences of people with learning disabilities being unable to vote because the necessary help was not offered at polling stations.

Mencap Cymru has lodged an official complaint with Denbighshire council over Mr Thomas' claims.

'Not refused'

Denbighshire's chief executive and returning officer Ian Miller has investigated the complaint and is due to respond to the charity shortly.

He said: "Many elements of the complaint are not borne out by the evidence from the electoral staff.

"In particular, the electoral staff state categorically that the young man was not refused a vote, and I would not accept the suggestion that he was treated unfairly.

"There are clear rules in electoral law about formal questions that are put to a person in cases where there is doubt about the identity of the individual.

"The questions can also be used if there is doubt about a person's ability to understand the process, for example if someone appears to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

"In this case, the young man's mother appears to have decided herself that her son was not going to vote before electoral staff had the chance to put the formal questions to him."

BBC SPORT | Cricket | The Ashes | Third Test, day one as it happened

THIRD TEST, DAY ONE, PERTH (close):
Australia 244 v England 51-2

Monty Panesar became the first English spinner to take a five-wicket haul in Perth as England bowled Australia out for 244 and ended the day on 51-2.

Ponting outSymonds outMonty's fifth

THE DAY'S ACTION (all times local to Perth – GMT+9)

By Jonathan Stevenson

ENGLAND FIRST INNINGS

CLOSE OF PLAY – ENGLAND 51-2

"Whatever happens tomorrow, this day has picked us all up a bit. It's been so much better from England and it's lifted all of our spirits from the doom and gloom of last week."
Geoff Boycott, on TMS

1900: England 51-2 Strauss survives Warne's second over of the day and England, with two wickets down, leave the field still in the box seat in this Test match. Bat all day tomorrow boys, and we might just have a chance of winning this one. As for Warney, those two overs were pretty non-descript. There, I said it. I know I'll come to regret it, but I might never get the chance again. Warne: non-descript. Boy does that feel good.

1855: England 49-2 Tell you what, he's pretty good this Stuart Clark character. I mean, I know he's averaging about 17 this series so far, but Collingwood, who's in pretty good nick after his double ton, is struggling to get bat on him. Please don't get out boys. Literally seconds left and it's still our day.

1851: England 49-2 Shane Warne comes on for his first over of proceedings and Collingwood pulls a long-hop into the mid-wicket fence for four. I'm not going to say that wasn't great from Warney. I'm not. No way. Not for all the money in the world.

"The Aussies are shouting "boring, boring". They're not watching the same game as me – this is gripping, high-quality Test match cricket."
Paresh Soni, BBC Sport at the Waca

"Has Warne just dropped the Ashes?"
Geoff Boycott on TMS

1847: England 43-2 Stuart Clark, the metronomic clone of Glenn McGrath, is into the action. He should have Paul Collingwood caught at first slip, but Shane Warne misses what can only be described as a sitter. Two hands, to his left, Warney, you've got to pouch those. Collingwood plays and misses at two more Clark beauties. Fabulous stuff.

How to listen to TMS "My house was burgled last night and all of my school coursework was stolen. Now Monty's made up for it."
Bigbopperp in TMS inbox

"It's been England's day, no doubt. But one more wicket and woah, they'll be feeling pretty good about that I can tell you. I still think this is better than a 250 pitch, even 400 is gettable."
Geoff Boycott on TMS

Send us your texts on 84040 (from the UK only) "The Aussie fans have woken up having been subdued for most of the day. All the taunts – albeit limited in humour and intelligence – are coming from them now. This has become a nasty and tricky little spell to end the day with for England."
Paresh Soni, BBC Sport at the Waca

1834: England 37-2 Great over from McGrath. Five balls in and around the same place outside off stump and then a torrid bumper to finish with that Strauss does superbly to avoid.

1829: WICKET England 37-2 (Bell 0)
Brett Lee gets in on the act and Ian Bell is gone without scoring, getting a faint nick behind to Adam Gilchrist from a fairly standard ball outside his off stump. Didn't need that. Paul Collingwood in next. Neither did he. Lee wiggles his index fingers in celebration. Don't like that, either.

1823: WICKET England 36-1 (Cook 15)
Glenn McGrath hits back for the Aussies and it's another failure for Alastair Cook, caught by Justin Langer at fourth slip playing a ball that just nipped away from his off stump. Last time I attribute praise from Geoff Lawson for an England batter.

"That is high-class batting from Cook. At this pace, hitting two shots like that. Very impressive."
Geoff Lawson on TMS

1818: England 34-0 Cook doesn't want to get left behind so he pulls Lee masterfully for four, not once, but twice. Strauss gives Lee some hope by playing and missing at a wide one. It's 94mph stuff this, he's not exactly trundling in.

1813: England 24-0 Strauss is looking in good nick, as he tends to before getting out to a ball he really shouldn't have much to do with. He clips McGrath off his pads for a couple before a genuine outside edge runs away for four. Classic Strauss.

1808: England 16-0 Alastair Cook chances his arm early doors and plays a risky hook shot from a Lee short ball, the Essex man fortunate to see the ball loop over and just out of reach of Mike Hussey.

1805: England 15-0 Glenn McGrath is straight on the money but Strauss doesn't care, he stands tall and sumptuously drills the veteran back down the pitch for four.

1759: England 11-0 You'd take that, as far as starts go. Brett Lee serves up a full toss that Strauss creams for four, then the next ball he plays a glorious cover drive to the boundary. Cook gets in on the act with a couple too. 33 more to avoid the follow-on.

1755: Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook make their way out to the middle for England's reply. There are 17 overs left in the day, and the Aussies are going to come at them hard.

AUSTRALIA FIRST INNINGS – 244 ALL OUT

"Monty will claim the headlines but Harmison has been nothing short of magnificent. It's the best day's work from him in a long, long time, although that last wicket was dubious!"
Paresh Soni, BBC Sport at the Waca

"I'm going for a celebratory pie, Victor. I haven't been allowed so far on this tour, but I feel I should be now."
Jonathan Agnew, on TMS

"Harmison has bowled really well at everyone today. He put the wind up the tailenders just like you want your fastest bowler to, but he was accurate to everyone. A very, very good effort."
Vic Marks, on TMS

1746: WICKET 244 ALL OUT (McGrath 1)
Dreamland, cloud nine, call it what the hell you like – life doesn't get any better than this. Steve Harmison, take a bow, son, a magnificent effort. A straight, short ball is too good for Glenn McGrath and the ball catches the top of the bat and loops into the ecstatic arms of Alastair Cook. McGrath doesn't seem happy. Harmison might reasonably log on to www.bothered.com.

1741: WICKET Australia 242-9 (Clark 3)
This is too easy. It's just like last summer all over again. Steve Harmison, bowling like the Harms the nation fell in love with, arrows in a full ball on Stuart Clark's leg stump, and suddenly he's made a horrible mess of the stumps. Do Australia have anyone apart from Michael Hussey who knows how to bat?

1737: Australia 239-8 Monty wheels away at Hussey, who is approaching a dogged hundred. Ok, he's ungetoutable, so what? As long as the others get out, it doesn't matter. And they do. Frequently. Haven't you been paying attention?

"In celebration of Monty's success I have started growing his beard. 10 minutes in – and I can already feel the first whiskers protruding gracefully from my facial pores. What a glorious feeling!"
Nick Hall, via TMS inbox

How to listen to TMS For the people saying 'stop going on about Panesar', let's have a quick time timeout. He's now taken 5-90 from 23 overs, on his Ashes debut. The greatest bowler ever to play Test cricket, Shane Warne, has a Waca best of 4-83 against New Zealand in 1997. Make no mistake, this is a truly monumental performance from Mudhsuden Singh Panesar. I love him so much I need to keep saying his name in full. What a name. What a name.

1726: WICKET Australia 234-8 (Lee 10)
Monty Panesar incredulously takes his fifth wicket of the innings, trapping Brett Lee plumb in front lbw. Aleem Dar had no doubts, Freddie Flintoff walks over to Monty and shakes his hand by way of congratulation. I'm welling up. I don't know if I can carry on. The King of Spain is dead. Long live the King of Spin.

1725: Australia 234-7 A fine maiden from Harmison to Hussey. No freebies, just a well thought-out and accurate effort. The camera pans round to the Australian balcony, and messrs Ponting, Langer and Hayden. Not a smile between them. Not so cocky now, eh lads?

Send us your texts on 84040 (from the UK only) Really should have booked the day off today, but just had to stay awake and listen. The comeback starts here. Arise Sir Monty of Luton.
Lee, via text

1720: Australia 234-7 Missed a couple of overs out there. Don't worry, you've not missing anything. I just didn't want to repeat myself. Harms bowling well, Monty on the spot, Lee annoying, blah blah blah. You know the score. To break the monotony, Lee chances his arm and slashes Panesar to the extra-cover fence. Gutted.

"He looks like a proper bowler today, Steve Harmison. He's not falling all over the place and he's being pretty accurate too. That's all you can ask, it really is.
Geoff Boycott on TMS

"Hussey is an absolute rock and a master at playing with the tail-enders. England need to wrap this up soon to complete what has been a fantastic response after Adelaide."
Paresh Soni, BBC Sport at the Waca

"The medicinal breeze, the old Fremantle Doctor as they call it around here, has pretty much been in evidence all day today."
Jim Maxwell on TMS

Send us your texts on 84040 (from the UK only)1710: Australia 227-7 Great stuff Harms. Cuts Brett Lee in two with one that nips back only to see the ball run away for four. I wish Lee didn't feel like he has to hang around at the end of every innings.

Phillips bags award "When Zara Phillips can take four Aussie wickets for under a ton of runs, then she'll be good value for her award, but as it is, Monty was robbed. Just woke up at tea: euphoria."
Pete J, via TMS inbox

1703: Australia 221-7 Steve Harmison is back on and, refreshed, he's back in line as he was in his brilliant first spell this morning. I never felt comfortable hurling abuse at the TV when Harms was bowling rubbish. He seems too regular a bloke to really get stuck into.

How to listen to TMS "By the way, I was a left arm spinner at the same school as Monty about ten years before he went there. I like to think it's my legacy that inspired him to reach these great heights."
James Nunn, via TMS inbox

1653: WICKET Australia 214-7 (Warne 25)
Monty Panesar continues to run through the Aussie order and, unsurprisingly, it's Shane Warne who succumbs, top edging a cut to Geraint Jones who holds on comfortably. Four and counting for Monty, on the cusp of a michelle (a Michelle Pfeiffer, as in five-for) on his Ashes debut. Seriously, you just couldn't make it up. I like Gilo as much as the next man, but really?

1652: Australia 214-6 Warne cuts Mahmood away for four. Having praised the short ball, that was a bit off line from the lanky paceman. Next up we're down leg side, for four more. Come on England, not now, don't let it slip. I've been awake for too long. 24 hours, if you really want to count.

Email the BBC Sport website and the TMS team on TMS@bbc.co.uk

1648: Australia 205-6 Hussey plays another fine shot through the covers off Panesar. He really is quite good at that shot, makes it look easy. Which presumably it isn't, otherwise we'd all be able to play it. I know I can't. I tried a few times, mind.

1643: Australia 201-6 Mahmood is bowling way back of a length at Warne, who has never looked truly comfortable against the short ball. It's so good to see such a blatant weakness in a man who so readily exposes them in others.

1637: Australia 197-6 Shane Warne plays an ugly lofted hoik off Monty and gets three to the mid-wicket boundary. Australia need Warne to just stay in with Hussey, but he'll play his kamikaze shots anyway. Gotta love him. Love you more if you get out, Warney.

1634: Australia 192-6 Mike Hussey brings up another beautiful 50 with a lovely cover drive for four from the first ball after tea from Sajid Mahmood. He tickles the second one down the third man for four too, just so England don't think they're through quite yet.

"What's this about Monty's poor fielding, too? Ever since I saw him play in the first game of the tour he's been fine. He tries hard and he gets the ball in quickly, dunno what all the fuss is about."
Geoff Lawson on TMS

DOWNLOAD A CRICKET MASK AND LOOK LIKE MONTY PANESAR

How to listen to TMS "It was 115-3, that session – anything but dull. There were times when you thought the Aussies would get away, but full credit to Flintoff for not taking off Monty. Finally you can see England taking 20 Australian wickets in a Test, it's so exciting."
Vic Marks on TMS

TEA

1611: Australia 184-6 Shane Warne gets his sweep out and to be fair it's from the top drawer, the master leg-spinner thwacking Monty to the square leg boundary with consummate ease. The umpires call tea and end another fabulous session for England.

"Country to Duncan Fletcher – 'We told you so'."
Stuart Boa, via TMS inbox

1607: Australia 178-6 Hussey plays another terrific drive to send Mahmood to the boundary and Saj is given a warning by umpire Aleem Dar for running down the middle of the pitch.

"I moved to British Columbia two years ago. Nice big house, beautiful view of lakes and mountains and a fantastic wife. But I'd swap the lot for a TV or even a bloody radio right now."
Richard Taylor, via TMS inbox

1600: WICKET Australia 172-6 (Gilchrist 0)
Oh my. I wonder who the last England player to take wickets in each of his next two overs having been thrashed for 17 was? The great Monty Panesar seduces Adam Gilchrist into a tentative push forward and the ball comes off bat and pad and is caught at short-leg by Ian Bell. Can we have a new vote for Sports Personality of the Year?

"Monty was coming in for severe stick from Symonds and the crowd until that breakthrough. The banter between the Barmy Army and the two Aussie fan groups – the Fanatics and the Boony Army – has been tremendous all day. The Barmies are winning on points.
Paresh Soni, BBC Sport at the Waca

1557: Australia 172-5 Second maiden in-a-row from Sajid Mahmood as England crank up the pressure on the hosts. Lovely line and length and a hugely promising start. Next up, it's Monty vs Adam Gilchrist.

1552: WICKET Australia 172-5 (Symonds 27)
Brave, brave captaincy from Andrew Flintoff is handsomely rewarded with the huge wicket of Andrew Symonds. How many skippers would have taken Monty Panesar off after that carnage in the last over? Not Freddie. Monty sticks to his guns and entices Symonds into a top edge that Geraint Jones clings to at the second attempt. Brilliant cricket by England, just brilliant.

Email the BBC Sport website and the TMS team on TMS@bbc.co.uk

"Those sixes from Symonds in Monty's last over were like power fades on the golf course."
Vic Marks on TMS

1544: Australia 167-4 What a time for Sajid to come back on. 'Yeah, cheers skip. How about I ease my way back in against a guy who's just scored 17 off the last over.' The Lancastrian responds with a maiden. Top effort, son.

How to listen to TMS1541: Australia 167-4 "He's not convinced me as a Test player yet," says Geoff Boycott of Andrew Symonds, seconds before the clown lookalike launches Monty Panesar not once, but twice, deep into the Waca crowd. Massive, brutal shots. Monty looks hurt, bless him. Symonds then hammers him through the cover for four.

1539: Australia 150-4 "He looks to me like a man at the very top of his form," says TMS's Geoff Boycott, seconds before the aforementioned Mike Hussey carves Flintoff through the covers for a majestic boundary. He's not averaging 119 in this series for nothing.

1534: Australia 145-4 With his mop of hair and thick, white suncream, it's hard to take Symonds seriously. Maybe that's why Monty bowls a pretty uninspiring over, or maybe it's just because he's feeling the heat, too.

1531: Australia 140-4 Good comeback over from the captain, not counting his woeful short-and-wide loosener that Hussey carved for four. The left-hander doesn't much look like getting out now, so let's concentrate on Symonds.

1526: Australia 136-4 Monty's turn to look tired. He drops badly short and is brutally hammered to the fence by Hussey. Manages a stifled appeal off the last ball though, with Symonds looking a touch unsure early on in his innings. Monty realises he won't get the nod and quietly skips away.

1524: Australia 131-4 At the risk of sounding like a broken record, Harmison looks knackered. Could do with a bit of Flintoff magic now to tighten the screw, but what of Sajid Mahmood? One over for three, so far, on Ashes debut.

"Normally Symonds bats in the one day game and this is a completely different occasion. There won't be the easy singles he usually gets, he's got to really work for his runs. It'll be interesting to watch him.
Geoff Boycott on TMS

1517: Australia 129-4 Mike Hussey drills a full Monty ball for four into the extra cover region, but Symonds gets a nick off one that falls just short of Paul Collingwood at slip.

1510: WICKET Australia 121-4 (Clarke 37)
I thought Steve Harmison should have been taken off by now. I know nothing, absolutely nothing. The previously imperious Michael Clarke completely mistimes a pull shot straight back to Harms and his massive hands snaffle the chance. First ball to Andrew Symonds is clipped away for four (125-4).

"We are supposed to be building the Dubai Metro but can't keep away from the refresh button. Sheikh Mohammed will have to wait a while longer yet!"
James Funge, via TMS inbox

1504: Australia 118-3 Michael Clarke plays another unbelievable shot off Steve Harmison, slapping him straight down the ground for four. Harms has a big long chat with his skipper and next ball a bouncer drifts down leg side. A tired-looking effort from the Durham speedster.

Email the BBC Sport website and the TMS team on TMS@bbc.co.uk

"Even in Kazakhstan, rest assured that there are some die hard Ashes fans being distracted from work by the online updates. Nearly lunchtime here, I'll see if I can find Borat to convert him to the manly business of cricket!"
Nick Brealey, via TMS inbox

1500: Australia 113-3 Hussey drives Monty through the covers for three and then viciously pulls him through mid-wicket for four. It's his first boundary, from his 66th ball. Take your time son, we've got all day.

1456: Australia 104-3 Harmison isn't exactly spraying it around, but he has lost a little of the accuracy he started with in Perth before lunch. "Controlled waywardness", says Geoff Lawson in the TMS commentary box. I bow to your superior knowledge, Henry.

"Following it down here in southern France. Go on Monty! Rip into them. I haven't been this excited in front of my computer screen since I inadvertently stumbled across that Paris Hilton website."
Nick, Toulouse, via TMS inbox

1452: Australia 103-3 Much better from Monty. There's the flight, there's that action on the ball. Throw it up there, let them get after you. They are afraid Monty, afraid I tells ya!

1448: Australia 101-3 Clarke smotes Harmison through the covers, another sumptuous shot from the classy right-hander. He looks up for this fight, Clarke, and Harms is a bit short and wide for my liking. That's not a moan, just an observation. Still love you, big man.

1444: Australia 95-3 Clarke can't. He brilliantly cuts Monty to the cover-point fence for four, a gorgeous shot. Fortunately he mis-hits the next one, but a bit too short from the left-arm spinning sensation.

Monty's back. From the other end, this time. Can you feel a wicket coming?

1440: Australia 89-3 These two batsmen could start to annoy me. They are dropping the ball at their feet and running singles, to Harmison's chagrin too. I thought it was England who were boring in the last Test? Come on, is this all you boys have got?

1435: Australia 85-3 Hoggard off target this time, punished through the covers for four by Clarke and then clipped off his pads for three more. Couple of bowling changes possibly on the way to freshen up the attack a bit.

How to listen to TMS I wish the world could just stay still for sometime so I can grasp this.
Girish Chandran, Canada, via TMS inbox

1430: Australia 78-3 The Aussies are trying not to let Monty settle into a rhythm. Both Clarke and Hussey are trying to paddle him around for singles to keep the strike rotated between the left and right handers.

Email the BBC Sport website and the TMS team on TMS@bbc.co.uk

"It's quite tense here now – everyone knows another wicket and England will be through to Andrew Symonds, who has looked far from convincing in his previous Test appearances."
Paresh Soni, BBC Sport at the Waca

1425: Australia 76-3 Monty's giving it a bit more flight now, which is what we want to see. I used to bowl left-arm spin, once upon a time. I didn't turn it as much as Monty so I bowled flatter and quicker. What I'd have given to have Monty's talent. Tremendous.

1422: Australia 73-3 Another good over from Hoggy, just the single off it. Great stop off his last ball at mid-wicket from Alastair Cook, to be fair to England they all look bang up for it in the field today. As well they might, there's an Ashes to save here.

1418: Australia 72-3 Clarke gets off the mark with a quick single but Harmison is sloppily deep at mid-off and it's a gimme. Let's get back at it Harms, don't want them having any easy runs at this stage.

Me too mate, me too.

Send us your texts on 84040 (from the UK only) It's times like this when I'm glad I work nights. Come on England.
Another no-namer, via text

1414: Australia 71-3 Hoggy's back and he's stepping up to the plate, too. Flashes one past Hussey's outside edge and then goes up with a huge appeal for LBW. Looks out too, unless there's the faintest inside edge, which in fairness there probably is.

1410: Australia 69-3 Monty finishes the over with five balls pretty much on the spot to new batter Michael Clarke. He's looking in irresistible nick, is old Monty P.

"Wasn't that just an amazing celebration from Monty? They were absolutely superb, it looked like Monty was taking off. You have to watch the highlights tonight, if only for that. Fantastic stuff."
Jonathan Agnew on TMS

69-3, Brian, it's 69-3. Keep saying it over and over again and you might actually start to believe it!

"There was a storm raging and my power was shut off for 12 hours. Nothing to do but read, drink a decent claret and sleep. Then I awoke thinking the Aussies were 69 for 3 at lunch and Monty had bowled Langer. What a dream!! But seriously, what's the real score?"
Brian Atkins, Canada, via TMS inbox

How to listen to TMS I'm a nurse working a night shift and tonights bowling is seriously comprimising some of my patients safety. I'm not telling you where from in case I unknowingly upset someone's relatives!
Henry, via TMS inbox

DOWNLOAD A CRICKET MASK AND LOOK LIKE MONTY PANESAR

"Where have they been keeping this guy Monty? Seriously, where the hell have they been keeping him?"
Geoff Lawson on TMS

LUNCH

1328: WICKET Australia 69-3 (Langer 37)
He's done it! He's done it! Long live King Monty Panesar. The script, it seems, had already been written. First ball of Monty's second over, Justin Langer misses a pretty straight one and it takes out his middle stump. The bearded genius wheels away in jubilation – they've never seen anything like it before. He doesn't get close to a high five. Who cares, man?

1325: Australia 69-2 Sajid Mahmood is on too, but an inauspicious start as he is flicked off the pads by Justin Langer. Hussey's only scored two from 36 balls so far – c'mon son, either pipe up or get out. It's half four in the morning and I don't need you trying to put me to sleep.

1322: Australia 66-2 Monty's first Ashes over is a good one. A bit flatter and quicker than you would expect from him usually, but put that down to nerves. It's a maiden, so well bowled young man.

It's Monty time. To a standing ovation, English cricket's very latest saviour takes the ball and prepares to enter the Ashes fray.

How to listen to TMS I'm currently sat at work doing a night shift, loading myself with caffeine in the hope I will refresh the page and see the words "Panesar takes his hat-trick" written there in front of me.
Andy Rollerson in the TMS inbox

1315: Australia 66-2 Flintoff drops a touch short and Langer pulls him away for four. It's been a funny old morning for Langer. I can't work out whether he looks in or out of touch. It matters not. Monty'll be on soon.

Monty update: Panesar seen warming up in the field

"It's my 21st birthday today. 61-2, Harmison bowling a peach to remove the best batsman in the world and it's not even lunch. Cracking birthday present!"
Your forgot to tell us your name, via text

1310: Australia 61-2 Agony for Harmison as Flintoff puts down a hugely difficult one-handed chance at second slip off luck's Justin Langer. It would have been a stunning catch, diving to his right and forwards, but boy would that have made England's morning complete.

"I've just spent an hour standing among the members and it was grim for a while. The Aussies aren't slow to offer advice to the opposition when things are going well for their team. But the wickets changed the mood completely and they were sitting silently with lunch approaching."
Paresh Soni, BBC Sport at the Waca

1307: Australia 60-2 Flintoff's going around the wicket to Hussey and the man they call Mr Cricket does well not to be tempted into a little fiddle outside off stump.

Email the BBC Sport website and the TMS team on TMS@bbc.co.uk

Send us your texts on 84040 (from the UK only)1302: Australia 60-2 Harms is back, no question. Bowls a superb line just outside off stump to Mike Hussey and then seduces Langer into a woeful pull that he doesn't get anywhere near. Bit of a brain melt from the formely watchful opener.

1255: Australia 59-2 Freddie smells blood. He's brought himself back on for Hoggard, who bowled a lovely opening spell. The skipper beats Langer's bat first up, something for him to think about. And we've still got Monty and Saj to come! 3-2, anyone?

"You can just feel that frisson of excitement when the ball goes anywhere near Monty in the field. This really is an intriguing morning in every sense.
Jonathan Agnew on TMS

1247: Australia 56-2 First real test in the field for Marvellous Monty, he can only partially stop a Langer drive at mid-off and the Aussies take two.

1240: WICKET Australia 54-2 (Ponting 2)
This is the greatest moment of my life. Steve Harmison gets one on the money and Ricky Ponting, the world's best batsman, is out LBW. Oh my, I think I'm going to faint. Harmison is mobbed by his team-mates, who are in dreamland. Thank you for raising your left hand, umpire Aleem Dar, thank you.

How to listen to TMS I'm a senior undergrad at the University of Waterloo in Toronto. I should be working on my grad school essay. But we don't get the Ashes here so I have to make do by refreshing the BBC website every thirty seconds. The one positive I suppose is that I'm not distracted by my one other guilty pleasure on the internet… Youtube!
Rajat Suri in the TMS inbox

DRINKS

1233: Australia 54-1 Langer has calmed down a bit now his partner-in-crime's got himself out. He neatly clips Hoggard off his pads for four but there's no slashing outside off stump. Unfortunately.

1228: Australia 48-1 Steve Harmison bowls a maiden over to Ricky Ponting. I just thought that was worth mentioning to be fair.

1223: WICKET: Australia 48-1 (Hayden 24)
Matthew Hayden runs out of luck and finally gets an edge on a standard Matthew Hoggard delivery. Brilliant stuff from the Yorkshireman. I'd be even more pleased if the incoming Ricky Ponting wasn't averaging 104.08 in 2006.

1217: Australia 47-0 Flintoff's spell ends and his best mate Harmison is on. I can hardly bare to watch his first ball, but it's not too bad. A bit wayward, but it's not Brisbane or anything.

"If I didn't know different, I'd think both these left-handers were trying to get out. All they're trying to do is bully the bowlers out of the attack, it's unnecessary. All they need to do is bat."
Geoff Boycott on TMS

1211: Australia 42-0 Half-hearted appeals from Geraint Jones as Langer plays and misses at Hoggard from the last two balls.

1207: Australia 39-0 Flintoff takes umbrage at Langer pulling him for four and starts going around the wicket already. If you're gonna flash, flash hard, so JL snicks one over third slip for four.

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"Are Australia only allowed to bat for 50 overs? Why else would Hayden be playing that shot?"
Geoff Lawson on TMS

1201: They did, as well. Hayden swings wildly at a wide one from Hoggard and gets nowhere near it. Too confident by far.

1157: Hurray! First maiden, courtesy of the big man Flintoff. Next up, one of them beats the bat… 27-0

"There have been a stack load of runs here in domestic cricket so unless we get some breakthroughs soon prepare for a long day.

Huge numbers of English people here, I was struggling to see any Aussies when I walked in. The Barmy Army will be going on free shuttle buses to the bars tonight – the only fun they look like having here. Great atmosphere though."
Paresh Soni, BBC Sport at the Waca

1154: Bully-boy isn't hanging around, pulling a short one for four. That's the problem with these Aussies – they take advantage of poor bowling straight away instead of having a good look. Not very Test cricket, if you ask me. 27-0

How to listen to TMS "Just got in from a 14 hour bar shift, all set for bed, find out Monty's playing, and have subsequently made a brew. Dug in for a long one."
Theo from Manchester in the TMS inbox

1150: Hayden hits a stunning straight drive for four off Flintoff. Harsh on the England captain, from a pretty accurate over. 22-0

1145: Hayden nicks one to the ropes, the lucky so-and-so. He likes this pitch you know – in October 2003, he scored 380 to – briefly – hold the highest score in Test history. Langer creams the last ball through the covers for four. 18-0

"Flintoff is visibly charging in – there's been too much ambling in so far this series. A bit of pace, but not too much bounce from the Waca pitch."
Geoff Lawson on TMS

1141: Bit early in the day for Langer to be throwing the kitchen sink at Flintoff, but one ball crashes over gully to the fence. 9-0

1135: Good early signs for Hoggard. That cherry is swinging, the fourth ball darting in towards Justin Langer's pads so much he nearly fell over in his crease. Next up Hayden clips a ball that swings too far into the leg side for three. 4-0

1130: Play starts in the third Test match at the Waca. The new ball is in the safe hands of Matthew Hoggard, with Andrew Flintoff marking out his run-up at the other end. Gonna have to wait for some Grievous Bodily Harmison.

Email the BBC Sport website and the TMS team on TMS@bbc.co.uk

How to listen to TMS I'm in Perth, it's a glorious day, not a cloud in the sky. Only problem is, I can't get my hands on a ticket for the cricket. Anyone got a spare? Please?
Ian in the TMS inbox

1118: The players are out for the anthems. Not sure they're too keen on this part of proceedings, but hey, if it works for football.

"You guys must be desperate for a scapegoat if the BBC interactive commentator is the reason. If you lose in Perth will they start replacing members of the Barmy Army?"
Scott Kidson, Sydney, in the TMS inbox

1104: "There's a bit of green there so there's something to play with," says Flintoff. I desperately want to believe him, I really do. Is the 2004 Steve Harmison out there?

1100: I'll see if I can get Dirsy back. Andrew Flintoff just called incorrectly and it looks as thought it's going to be a long, long night. Ricky Ponting wants to bat. Of course he does, he's averaging 149 for heaven's sakes.

How to listen to TMS "Happy with Saj's inclusion, and overjoyed with Monty's.Would have liked to see Read in for Jones but as once Meatloaf said, 2 out of 3 ain't bad."
Mark Willingham in the TMS inbox

Send us your texts on 84040 (from the UK only) So there's a change in the BBC Sport Interactive office for this Test match too, with the incomparable Ben Dirs replaced by, er, me. Dirsy takes a well-earned breather after his exertions from the first two traumatic matches. I know, his commentary was imaginative, amusing and informative, but his Ashes record of Played 2, Lost 2 left room for improvement. Fingers crossed, that's where I come in.

1025: England name their side and they make two changes, with Sajid Mahmood replacing James Anderson and, finally and let's hope to rescue the nation, Mudhsuden Singh Panesar takes Ashley Giles' spot. Monty my boy, we're behind you like you could not believe.

England XI: Strauss, Cook, Bell, Collingwood, Pietersen, Flintoff (capt), Jones, Mahmood, Hoggard, Harmison, Panesar.

They looked nervous in the first two Tests. Why, when they are the holders of the Ashes? I still think they can win two and come back heroes, but they have got to be right on the money from the first ball this morning.
My South African taxi driver

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LATEST FROM:
Test Match Special BlogKiwis put England in a spinHair enjoys uneventful returnBroken teeth and shattered nosesUpdated: 24 May, 20:06 GMT

Students warn on women’s college

Students at Oxford's last all-women's college are warning that its single-sex status is under threat.

St Hilda's College students claim that discussions on admitting male students could take place next month.

The college's governing body says that the single-sex status is an issue which may be discussed and voted on "at any time".

And it reserves the right to hold such discussions away from "intrusive publicity".

Campaigns have been launched by student unions in Oxford and Cambridge to preserve the last few remaining all-women's colleges – and students at St Hilda's have called on the college to "come clean" about its plans.

'Closed doors'

"The ethos of this college is being discussed behind closed doors," said Helen McCabe, president of the college's junior common room.

Students who want to keep the all-women status say they have not been allowed to enter the debate about the college's future status – and they say they want it to be discussed "openly and honestly".

The college's governing body has issued a statement in response – and says that it will not elaborate any further on its plans.

"The single-sex status of the college is an issue which the fellows may discuss at any time and a vote may be requested in accordance with the statutes," says the college's statement.

And the governing body says that, while it takes note of the students' arguments, "on matters which crucially affect the college" it "reserves the right, when deemed appropriate, to hold discussions in confidence and without intrusive publicity".

A proposal to allow male undergraduates to study at St Hilda's was narrowly defeated earlier this year – after it failed to gain a two-thirds majority among fellows voting at St Hilda's.

A poll of undergraduate students at the college also suggested that a majority were against a change to a mixed-sex college.

There are three remaining women's colleges at Cambridge University, Newnham, New Hall and Lucy Cavendish.

BBC – Newsbeat – Entertainment – High School Musical gets new star

Former EastEnders actress Letitia Dean is to play a role in the stage version of High School Musical this summer.

The star of Strictly Come Dancing will play eccentric drama teacher Mrs Darbus in the production at London's Hammersmith Apollo.

She said: "It's a lovely opportunity for me, I haven't done a musical since I was 13 – many moons ago!

"It's something completely different to anything I've ever done – doing an American accent and playing this kind of character."

She admits she hasn't seen the films yet but has watched a few clips on YouTube.

She said: "I didn't realise what a phenomenon it was. So when my friend's children found out I was doing it, my kudos went through the roof.

"They're like 'I can't believe you're doing it'. They're well excited. Finally I've got a bit of street cred!"

The first High School Musical film debuted on the Disney Channel in 2006 and went on to became a surprise worldwide hit.

When the second movie came out in 2007 the premiere broke cable TV records with an audience of 18.6m in the US.

The film follows basketball captain Troy as he falls in love with maths genius Gabriella during rehearsals for the school musical.

Dean shouldn't find the subject matter hard as she is a big fan of musicals and went to the famous Sylvia Young Theatre School.

She said: "I came out of the womb with Calamity Jane on the iPod. I've always loved musicals, since I was a little girl.

"And I started dance classes when I was like 7 years-old, so it was always in the blood."

Of course, she's had plenty of practice recently after reaching the quarter final stage on Strictly Come Dancing with partner Darren Bennett.

She said: "I loved it. It was terrifying, it was exhausting and it was overwhelmingly fantastic. I loved every minute of it."

Dean played Sharon Watts in EastEnders for over 20 years and admits to watching it recently since Ricky and Bianca have come back.

She said: "They're fabulous aren't they?"

She doesn't rule out returning: "I always say 'never say never' – I don't think I've been killed off yet, have I?"

Dean starts rehearsing in May and High School Musical runs at the Hammersmith Apollo, London, from 1 July to 31 August.

‘Glass ceiling’ traps academics

Women academics are being discriminated against in terms of money and promotion, lecturers claim.

They are held back by a glass ceiling which keeps most in lower-paid and lower-status jobs, according to the Association of University Teachers (AUT).

The group says that the number of women in academic life has soared by 43% since the mid-1990s.

But women are more likely to be on short contracts and in lower-paid jobs.

A study by the AUT found that the number of female academics in higher education in the UK rose by 43% to 56,500 between 1995-96 and 2002-03.

'Scandal'

At the same time the number of male academics grew by 4% to 89,000. In all, 39% of academics are now women.

But the report, called the Unequal Academy, says that women are much more likely to have a fixed term contract rather than a staff job.

In 2002-3, 48% of women academics were employed on a fixed term contract, compared with 38% of men.

In the modern universities, in 2002-03 53% of academics on the lecturer grade were women, but only 30% of department heads.

In the older universities, 39% of the most junior lecturers were women, compared with 13% of professors.

Sally Hunt, AUT's general secretary said: "This report provides yet more evidence of the discrimination faced by women working in our universities.

"They are paid less, are more likely to be employed on a casual basis and continue to occupy the more junior grades.

"It is time for our universities to take some real action to solve this scandal."

The AUT says female academics working on a full-time basis earned 85% of the salary of their male colleagues in 2002-3.

They were also less likely to be described as being active in research.

Poor start to High Street sales

Trade figures for shopping on Boxing Day have revealed a poor start to the post-Christmas sales.

Boxing Day custom was down by 16.1% compared to 2003, according to retail analysts Footfall.

Up to 40% of major High Street stores opened their doors on Sunday as bargain hunters braved the icy conditions. Last year the sales began on a Friday.

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has predicted shoppers will spend more than £5bn in the days after Christmas.

Tim Denison, director of knowledge management at retail analysts SPSL, told BBC Radio Five Live: "The figures are quite subdued for the start of the sales this year.

"There have not been so many people out there shopping in earnest."

Many stores opened on 26 December for the first time last year and reported healthy sales.

Mr Denison said the drop in trading this year may be because Boxing Day was a Friday in 2003, rather than Sunday.

Although he pointed out that more stores opened this year, leading him to conclude the drop in trade was "disturbing".

"Retailers don't need to be downbeat – Christmas trade has not been as bad as people feared," he added.

A survey from online bank Egg found one in three people bought items they did not need when prices were cut.

Major stores beginning their post-Christmas sales included Marks & Spencer, Argos and Debenhams.

More than 22,000 shoppers passed through the doors at Birmingham's £530m Bullring complex.

Around 15,000 are thought to have spent part of Boxing Day buying goods at the mall.

Half of the 330 stores in the Bluewater Shopping Centre in Kent opened for six hours, compared with only a few in 2003.

Marketing manager Alan Jones said: "I wouldn't say it's been absolutely manic, but we estimate that about 100,000 people have been through the doors.

Internet winners

"I expect it to be far busier on Monday because Boxing Day has only been a six-hour trading day."

New figures showed internet traders were the big winners in pre-Christmas shopping, with £400m spent online.

In pre-Christmas shopping, online retailers reported a 17.5% rise in trade over the first three weeks of December compared to the same time last year.

High Street stores recorded a 2% rise on last year's period.

Can education really go global?

There has been much talk about "globalisation" in education, but what will it mean in practice?

This autumn, Nottingham University put the theory into practice, as the first students enrolled at its "branch campus" in Ningbo in China.

There are only 250 of these pioneering students in the initial intake, but the purpose-built campus will have the capacity for 8,000, who will be studying for degrees, with everything from libraries to lectures using the English language.

For these Chinese students, the fees at Nottingham's Ningbo campus are about half the cost of international student fees at a university in the United Kingdom. And that's without the extra costs for travel, accommodation and living facing overseas students who come to the UK.

Nottingham University already has a branch in Malaysia and next year intends to open a campus there.

Douglas Tallack, the university's pro-vice-chancellor, says there is much interest in the Ningbo project, including commendations from the Education Secretary Charles Clarke, and that a number of other UK universities are considering setting up their own off-shore institutions.

But he urges that if there is a rush to set up overseas branches, then academic quality and sensitivity to local needs must not be sacrificed.

'Transnational'

Creating the campus in Ningbo has been the product of much painstaking work with their Chinese partners, he says. And that it builds upon existing relations with China, including a thousand Chinese students at Nottingham University.

But Prof Tallack, who is set to address the first UK International Education Conference, being held this week in Edinburgh, says that globalisation – or so-called "transnational" education – is going to become part of the landscape.

This could also mean United States universities setting up in the United Kingdom – and recruiting both overseas and British students. With e-mail and videoconferencing, this type of internationalisation becomes increasingly practical.

Prof Tallack sayst it is also likely that individual university departments and subject areas will have international bases and partnerships with other overseas universities.

He is less keen on this globalisation being seen as an educational gold-rush, with universities, colleges and private operators setting up franchise chains, with less control over quality. There has to be a sense of the integrity of the degree system, he argues, with effective tutorial advice and proper academic rigour.

But there will undoubtedly be a growing number of institutions and businesses looking for a more flexible approach, and they might be likely to take a more direct route to serving an international market hungry for higher education.

This might see a greater fragmentation of the traditional three-year degree course at a single institution.

There are private providers who offer courses where students can study in their own country for one or two years and then spend a single year as an overseas student, where they will complete their degree.

Universities from the UK have an advantage in using English. But increasing numbers of universities around the world use English as a teaching medium, with the specific intention of recruiting overseas students.

The expansion of cross-border education is also going to raise questions about how degrees are validated. If there are numerous international providers offering "degree" courses to students, how are these going to be measured against each other, when they will be based on very different systems? Will there have to be a process of international regulation?

There have already been international university league tables produced, and all the signs seem to suggest that universities are moving towards becoming international institutions.

Learning disabilities care ‘poor’

Sweeping changes are needed to specialist inpatient health services for people with learning disabilities in England, warns the NHS watchdog.

The Healthcare Commission audit found poor standards in most services and big regional variations. It referred six services for further investigation.

The watchdog warned that people with learning disabilities were being deprived of human rights and dignity.

Ministers plan structural reform of the current system.

Inspectors reported that many of the 4,000 learning disabled people who lived in residential care led bleak lives.

They described people sitting all day unoccupied, homes which offered little or no choice of food and locked toilets and bedrooms.

One inspector described a home with a lovely garden, which no-one ever used.

The Healthcare Commission did not find evidence of physical abuse in any service.

But it did refer six services to local authorities under Protection of Vulnerable Adults protocols following concerns raised about the care of individuals or overall standards of care.

These included an individual being treated by Care Principles Ltd, of Stafford, which led to the local authority taking action to improve care.

The commission raised concerns following an allegation of abuse made by a person with learning disabilities being treated by Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust. This was invesitgated but not upheld.

The watchdog also expressed concerns about the behaviour of one person in relation to another being cared for by Sandwell Mental Health NHS and Social Care Trust, which led to action being taken by the local authority.

'Committed staff'

The commission said services were driven by committed staff working in difficult environments, but it warned of significant institutional failings.

It said services operated off the radar of the healthcare system, with poor leadership, poor training and no framework to measure the performance of services.

As a result of this, people with learning difficulties live in poor physical environments, are offered few choices in how they live their lives and are isolated from their communities.

It found many services where planning of care was poor and did not involve people with learning disabilities.

The commission made a raft of recommendations for change. Services have been told to draw up action plans, and strategic health authorities have been asked to monitor their implementation.

Spot checks

Eighty-five per cent of services have already reported that they have made or planned changes as a result – including improving training, increased the involvement of people with learning difficulties and enhanced physical environments.

The commission will carry out spot checks to ensure improvements are made, and ensure the findings will be fed back into its annual health check of NHS trusts.

Anna Walker, Healthcare Commission chief executive, said: "This report does paint a bleak picture.

"Services for people with learning difficulties are not generally unsafe but they are poor.

"These services are regularly neglected and too often old-fashioned and institutional.

"There are many members of staff working hard for the people they serve.

"But they operate in a system where too many people are not given choices and control over their lives.

"Care is not personalised, living environments are poor and activities are few."

Consultation

Care Services Minister Ivan Lewis said a consultation would be launched on how to reform support of people with learning disabilities.

This will include proposals to transfer responsibility for commissioning services from the NHS to local government and a focus on ensuring people have access to appropriate supported accommodation.

He said: "It is totally unacceptable for anyone with a learning disability to be treated in a way that compromises their human rights."

Steve Shrubb, of the NHS Confederation's Mental Health Network, said: "Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect so providing services that are simply safe can not be acceptable.

"The report is clear that everyone needs to raise their game."

About 169,000 people in England use services for people with learning disabilities.

Student dies on college dive trip

A post-mortem examination is taking place after the death of a student nurse on a scuba diving exercise off the south Devon coast.

Carrina Beer, 23, was with fellow students from London's King's College doing a training dive 200m (220yds) off Breakwater Beach at Brixham.

She was given first aid at the beach on Saturday afternoon and taken to Torbay Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Her next of kin have been told and the coroner has been informed.

'Tragic accident'

The diving trip had been organised by King's College students' union.

A spokesman for the college said: "Carrina Beer, a second-year nursing student at King's College London, tragically lost her life whilst undertaking a scuba diving session in Devon.

"It is understood that Ms Beer was an experienced diver and this was a tragic accident."

The college said other students on the trip were receiving counselling.

Police are investigating what happened during the dive.