English Literacy Inspired by the Vision of NL Clay
Clay Lane is a website for people who care deeply about the language and heritage of the English people, and who want to know more about them because they understand how important these things are for our future. It is inspired by textbooks written by Yorkshire schoolmaster NL Clay, and used in English schools and homes from the 1920s to the 1960s. Clay Lane is ideal for those who prefer traditional methods, traditional content, and the option of one-to-one human contact.
Read famous (and not so famous) passages from history, legend, biography, politics, poetry and fiction, and try your hand at exercises similar to those Clay gave to pupils in secondary schools before the educational changes of the 1960s. Use what you find here to improve your command of good, clear, correctly spelled and punctuated English, or just browse for pleasure.
Everything on Clay Lane is free to use. Share your creativity with me, and if you’d like a little help, just ask. See Email Support.
“The course should train pupils to observe, learn more of the world they live in, think clearly, use the imagination and to speak clearly.”
NL Clay, Think and Speak (1929)
Featured Post
From The Surrender of Vercingetorix
Vercingetorix on his splendid horse, his jewels and armour gleaming in the sunshine, rode quickly round the tribunal. Then vaulting from his horse he threw his sword and spear at Caesar’s feet, and, without a sword, seated himself upon the steps of the throne. Even the Roman soldiers were touched at the sight of this splendid hero who thus gave himself up for his country.
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Featured Exercise
Homonyms Find in Think and Speak
Each of the words below has more than one possible meaning. Compose your own sentences to show what those different meanings are.
1. Base. 2. Host. 3. Grass. 4. Stable. 5. Notice. 6. Stall. 7. Junk. 8. Pitcher. 9. Draw.
Show Suggestions
For each word above, choose one or more suitable meanings from this list.
1. The bottom or foundation of something. 2. A declaration that employment will be terminated. 3. Attract. 4. E.g. a lawn. 5. Delay, hold up. 6. Equal number of points in a game. 7. Throw a party; one who throws a party. 8. A poster, sign. 9. One who throws the ball in baseball. 10. Something worthless. 11. A berth for e.g. horse, donkey or cow. 12. A dishonourable person or accusation. 13. (Of a car engine) stop unexpectedly. 14. A very large number (e.g. of soldiers). 15. Not liable to collapse. 16. A horse’s bedroom. 17. Espy. 18. Extract. 19. Inform (to the police). 20. Pull along. 21. Make a picture. 22. Table in a market. 23. Bric-a-brac, something useless such as mass-marketing emails. 24. A Chinese sailing boat. 25. Jug. 26. A military headquarters.