Sensations English Logo
LEVEL B2

Shadowing the newsreader

Listen to the newsreader read out each line and then practise saying it. Record your own voice line by line and submit your voiceover.

Hide View

The precision skills behind some of the world's most exceptional watches and automatons have been handed down through generations in Switzerland.

Now these traditional crafts have been counted as being cultural practices of importance to humanity.

Mechanical watchmaking and art mechanics now feature on UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

They join, among others, the Argentine Tango, Chinese Calligraphy and Indian Yoga.

In his alpine studio, Swiss master craftsman Francois Junod is absorbed in his craft.

This creativity sees moving mechanical artworks whirr into action.

Birds whistle melodies and you see historical figures composing poetry.

Junod is currently working on an automaton of Leonardo da Vinci.

His eyes blink as they carefully observe each pen stroke he makes.

Junod anticipates this UNESCO recognition may revive interest in his profession, reminding an increasingly digitised world of the enchanting nature of mechanical artworks.

REGISTER NOW

Get videos, articles, games and study tools!

Learn at six levels from A1 to C1
Or sign up with your Email
By clicking “Sign Up” above you are accepting our Terms of Service & Privacy Policy.
Already have an account? Sign in

Sign up with email

Enter the following information to create your account.
All sign up options

Log in Or create an account

or

Forgot password?

reset password or login

Crop Image

Crop preview
Add to homescreen