Topic for discussion: Can we call the British people "English"? What facts about Great Britain can you share?

 

It goes without saying that learning a foreign language and exploring the countries it belongs to go hand by hand. Talking about English, the popularity of this language can't be overestimated. It's proved by the fact that it's the official language of almost 60 countries. But it's most commonly spoken in the United Kingdom, The USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

           I suggest focusing on Great Britain. The home of Stonehenge, William Shakespeare, red double-decker buses, black taxi cabs, red postboxes and telephone boxes, tea, fish and chips, the Beatles, legend of Robin Hood, Wimbledon  .... What else should we know about it? Its official name is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, or the UK for short. It occupies most of the territory of the British Isles and is made of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Their capitals are London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast. People who are English are from the country of England. On the other hand, British people are people who live in Great Britain (Britain) and the UK. Although everyone in the UK has a British citizenship they have different nationalities: people living in Wales are Welsh, in Scotland are Scottish, in Northern Ireland are Irish.

         The total area of the UK is about 243,000 square kilometres. It's separated from the mainland by the North Sea and the English Channel. To connect with continental Europe the world longest undersea rail tunnel called Channel Tunnel was built. The population of Great Britain is over 68 million people. English is the official language of Great Britain. Apart from English, the Welsh language is spoken in some parts of Wales and Gaelic in north-west Scotland. The largest cities of Britain are London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Cardiff and Belfast. 

           One of the main symbols of the UK is its national flag called the Union Jack. It is made up of three crosses: the Cross of St. George (the Patron Saint of England), the Cross of St. Andrew (the Patron Saint of Scotland) and the Cross of St. Patrick ( the Patron Saint of Ireland). Apart from a saint, each country of the UK has its own floral emblem. England is represented by the Tudor rose and Scotland - by the thistle. The daffodils and the leek are the heraldic emblems of Wales. Shamrock is the national flower of Northern Ireland.

       The landscape of the UK is varied consisting of Lowlands in the south and centre and Highlands in the North. The highest mountain is Ben Nevis in Scotland (1,343 m). The Severn is the longest river in the UK while the Thames is one of the significant trading routes. The largest lake is Lough Neagh, and the most mysterious is Loch Ness, the homeland of a legendary monster. The Lake District is one of the most spectacular places in Britain.

         The British climate is usually characterised as cool, temperate and humid. Since Britain is an island it's mainly influenced by the surrounding seas and the Atlantic Ocean. It makes the weather really unpredictable and weather forecasts harder to make. That's why Britain is known "to have no climate, but only weather" which can drastically change even during  the day. In fact, it's due to wet and rainy weather that Britain is so rich in greenery. 

          The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy. The King is the Head of State but his function is not to rule but to represent the country. And the real power belongs to the British Parliament and to the British Government. The British parliament consists of two chambers: The House of Commons  and The House of Lords. The House of Commons is more powerful, its members are elected every five years, whereas the membership of The House of Lords is permanent. The party with most Members of Parliament forms the government. The leader of the winning party automatically becomes Prime Minister and appoints the cabinet. The party who comes in second is the Opposition and forms its own Shadow Cabinet.

           For culture hunters Britain has a lot to offer. London is filled with historical landmarks and remarkable sights. Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London are a must for every tourist. I'm sure you'll be impressed by the architecture of the Houses of Parliament, St. Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey. If you want to dive into the atmosphere of mystery, you should visit Stonehenge, one of the wonders of the world. Edinburgh Castle which dates back to the 12th century won't leave you indifferent. Nature lovers will be inspired by the walks in the Snowdonia National Park in Wales or the picturesque Lake District in North West England.

            The United Kingdom is undoubtedly a unique country which has managed to preserve its history and traditions to the present day. Your world view will be slightly limited if you miss the chance to see Britain.

6. Can we call the British people "English"? What facts about Great Britain can you share?

1) What places would you visit first if you had a chance to be in London?

2) What do you know about British schools?

3) Which outstanding British people can you remember? What are they famous for?

4) They say it's important for a person to speak English nowadays because it is popular all over the world. What is your opinion?

18. What do you think of when you think about Great Britain?

1) What places would you visit first if you had a chance to be in London?

2) What places in the UK attract many tourists?

3) Which famous British people can you remember? What are they famous for?

4) What means of transport would you choose to get to the UK? Why?

British schools 

There are different types of schools: public, state schools, free schools and so on. One of the most noticeable differences is the uniforms, which are standard fare in British and British international schools. The uniform itself has different designs depending on the school, but generally, more traditional schools will have blazers and ties, while more modern schools might only have their pupils wearing a polo shirt or sweatshirt with neutral trousers.

Creativity and individual thought are key features of British classrooms.

British schools not only give students opportunities to develop academically within the classroom, but they offer extracurricular activities outside the classroom, too. This could include sports, arts, performances, school trips, and lots more.

Famous Brits

1. Historical Figures - Winston Churchill: Prime Minister during World War II, known for his leadership and speeches. - Queen Elizabeth I: Monarch who presided over the Elizabethan Era, known for the flourishing of English drama and the defeat of the Spanish Armada.

2. Authors and Poets - William Shakespeare: Renowned playwright and poet, known for works like "Hamlet," "Romeo and Juliet," and "Macbeth." - Jane Austen: Influential novelist known for works such as "Pride and Prejudice" and "Sense and Sensibility."

3. Scientists and Innovators - Isaac Newton: Mathematician and physicist known for his laws of motion and gravity. - Charles Darwin: Naturalist famous for his theory of evolution and the book "On the Origin of Species."

4. Musicians and Bands - The Beatles: Iconic band that revolutionized popular music and culture in the 1960s. - David Bowie: Influential singer-songwriter known for his unique sound and artistic innovation.

5. Actors and Actresses - Sir Ian McKellen: Acclaimed actor known for his roles in "The Lord of the Rings" and "X-Men." - Emma Watson: Actress and activist, famous for her role as Hermione Granger in the "Harry Potter" series.

6. Political Figures - Margaret Thatcher: First female Prime Minister of the UK, known for her strong conservative policies. - Tony Blair: Prime Minister known for his role in the peace process in Northern Ireland and involvement in the Iraq War.

7. Sports Icons - David Beckham: Former footballer known for his skill on the field and influence in fashion and culture. - Andy Murray: Professional tennis player and multiple Grand Slam champion.