[Help] What would you teach someone from abroad about British Culture?

[Albion in the north]

Hi all. If you follow the "Russia invades Ukraine" thread at all, you will know that my wife and I are going to Ukraine on the 20th to volunteering in an orphanage for a week. The orphanage is for 14-18 year olds and they live and study in a college learning different trades and skills. There are 24 females and 53 males. One of the things that they have suggested we might be able to do for them is to teach the young adults something about British culture. Their level of speaking English is quite low. My wife does speak Ukrainian as well as English. So I am looking for ideas and any pointers to online resources to highlight the best that this sceptred Isle has to offer. Anyone that has worked as an ESOL teacher? I will be taking a BHAFC shirt with me!

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

I’d take them some balti pies. As a post-modern culinary response to multi-cultural Britain, I feel they represent Britain perfectly.

 

[DavidinSouthampton]

Understatement. Reservation. Control.

 

[El Presidente]

Tutting

 

[Jack Straw]

Definitely going to take a large map of the UK and discuss the different areas and Capital cities etc. Going to do something on Kings and Queens too and I need to get my head round how to bring music into the classroom without just sitting there playing music.

There are 6 of us going and we have already sent a pick-up over full of warm clothing, toiletries and powerbanks. We are also taking 20Kg of luggae each which will have more stuff. Id really like to take over some more powerbanks so if anyone feels like they would like to donate to the trip the link is below.

Donate to Teenage orphans in Ukraine, organized by Ian Cioch

Hi, my name is Mandy Cioch. Me and my friends Oksana Karmasyn, Dave Fisher, Oksana Fisher, Enzo L… Ian Cioch needs your support for Teenage orphans in Ukraine

www.gofundme.com

Price of a pint donated.

 

[Paulie Gualtieri]

Learn to tut properly

 

[Albion in the north]

Price of a pint donated.

You are a gentleman. Many thanks.

 

[Mackenzie]

Only one thing:

“You’re shit aaaaaaaaahhhhhh”

 

[Lyndhurst 14]

Get used to being a tad miffed

 

[WATFORD zero]

I've just finished making a steak and kidney pudding from scratch. I'd teach them how to do that, propper culture

 

[Albion in the north]

I've just finished making a steak and kidney pudding from scratch. I'd teach them how to do that, propper culture

One of the things on my list is cooking, for sure. Thought Id go with a roast dinner but really anything that I can make with the ingredients I can find over there. Thought of doing the whole, making a list, going to the market, prep and cook with them. If they are up for that. Some of them are taking cooking lessons.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Bearing in mind OP's target audience, I'd be inclined to make it fun and interactive. Take along some teabags and milk and show them how to make a nice cup of tea. Then ask them to make one and drink it. Oh, and postcards. Lots and lots of postcards. Enough to go round. Postcards of The Royal Family. Postcards of Brighton town. Postcards of BHAFC. These are little things in themselves, but they'll be long remembered

 

[Blue3]

I would teach that we are a class riven society that once was a colonial superpower but now we are just a small isolated island who has ripped itself away from a non colonial democratic economic superpower that’s just a stones throw away and Instead is creeping closer to becoming a little America.

 

[Albion in the north]

In a previous life, I worked with Poles, Bulgarians, Czechs, Russians, Slovaks and Ukrainians.

They were all brought up with a Russian version of Winnie-the-Pooh (“Vinny Pukh”) and were astounded to hear the hundred acre wood is actually in Sussex. If my experience is anything to go by, all ages will get quite animated by this overlapping cultural reference and be keen to hear more … set the record straight and you might give them WtP back (VP is possibly outcast as too Russian these days). And don’t forget to stress Sussex.

Other stuff that is so familiar to us we don’t even see it sometimes: ancient roots in old castles, cathedrals and universities … in short, a country made a 1,000 years ago on the backs of sheep!

And good luck … you’re actually doing something when most of us just daydream

Been talking to my wife about the whole "Winnie-the-Pooh thing and , yes, they ALL will know the story. What I am struggling with is how do I make that interesting to a group of 14-18 year olds? I dont want to just sit and talk at them, some of them might not understand what Im saying. Would prefer somethinginteractive.

 

[Albion in the north]

Bearing in mind OP's target audience, I'd be inclined to make it fun and interactive. Take along some teabags and milk and show them how to make a nice cup of tea. Then ask them to make one and drink it. Oh, and postcards. Lots and lots of postcards. Enough to go round. Postcards of The Royal Family. Postcards of Brighton town. Postcards of BHAFC. These are little things in themselves, but they'll be long remembered

Yes, fun and interactive is what I am going for. Ive come up with some little quizzes for them. Ive a map of the UK that shows interesting features, like "Angel of the North""Westminster Abbey" etc and would like them to find out the answers to very basic questions on them. I think they have internet access although maybe not all day, everyday. Ive also bought a Map showing the 92 league clubs so there will be some questions on that with the bonus round being about BHAFC and especially RDZ, who, of course used to manage there. Ive bouth some flashcards of kings and Queens of the Uk and a poster of the timeline, so again, will make up some questions around that. Im struggling for how to make something about music without just sitting there and playing them some beatles and Stones. ANy ideas/suggestions most welcome.

 

[Albion in the north]

I would teach that we are a class riven society that once was a colonial superpower but now we are just a small isolated island who has ripped itself away from a non colonial democratic economic superpower that’s just a stones throw away and Instead is creeping closer to becoming a little America.

Great. That will lighten the mood for them

 

[WATFORD zero]

One of the things on my list is cooking, for sure. Thought Id go with a roast dinner but really anything that I can make with the ingredients I can find over there. Thought of doing the whole, making a list, going to the market, prep and cook with them. If they are up for that. Some of them are taking cooking lessons.

I think cooking something 'British' could be good fun, if a little challenging for you, cooking something traditionally British from whatever you can find

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Yes, fun and interactive is what I am going for. Ive come up with some little quizzes for them. Ive a map of the UK that shows interesting features, like "Angel of the North""Westminster Abbey" etc and would like them to find out the answers to very basic questions on them. I think they have internet access although maybe not all day, everyday. Ive also bought a Map showing the 92 league clubs so there will be some questions on that with the bonus round being about BHAFC and especially RDZ, who, of course used to manage there. Ive bouth some flashcards of kings and Queens of the Uk and a poster of the timeline, so again, will make up some questions around that. Im struggling for how to make something about music without just sitting there and playing them some beatles and Stones. ANy ideas/suggestions most welcome.

Maybe a little Beatles karaoke competition? Should be pretty easy to rig the words and music up on your phone

 

[Blue3]

Great. That will lighten the mood for them

Indeed

 

[A1X]

Yes, fun and interactive is what I am going for. Ive come up with some little quizzes for them. Ive a map of the UK that shows interesting features, like "Angel of the North""Westminster Abbey" etc and would like them to find out the answers to very basic questions on them. I think they have internet access although maybe not all day, everyday. Ive also bought a Map showing the 92 league clubs so there will be some questions on that with the bonus round being about BHAFC and especially RDZ, who, of course used to manage there. Ive bouth some flashcards of kings and Queens of the Uk and a poster of the timeline, so again, will make up some questions around that. Im struggling for how to make something about music without just sitting there and playing them some beatles and Stones. ANy ideas/suggestions most welcome.

Do a bit of panto-stuff, that’s uniquely British but also good fun. Maybe boo every time someone uses the word “Australia”?

 

[Albion in the north]

Youve all been really amazing on here and I cant thank you enough for your generosity.
One last ask!
I know powerbanks are something they desperately need. Ive already donated 22, my Christmas peresents from my family this year, but am looking to take another 50 so that they can all have one.
If anyone is able to donate at all it would be hugely appreciated by them.

Check out my list on Amazon

www.amazon.co.uk