[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!

 

[Winker]

Fish puns

Not this pollocks again!

 

[AlbionBro]

That reminds me of a situation years ago in a pub. A colleague of mine was at the bar, patiently waiting to get served when “Ted” pushed in. My colleague said that Ted shouldn’t queue jump and Ted said “You better come outside” to which my colleague said “You better have one of these” “Whack” and Ted was on his way.

Poor Ted.

 

[Sirnormangall]

Generally we’re pretty tolerant of different races cultures and creeds. There are notable exceptions, in particular of course the French who get lots of UK people excited ( though I don’t know why, as I find them good oeufs generally - though mainly in the north), Palace fans and of course Russians ( not all of them, just the leadership who mislead the rest and carry out atrocities in the name of self defence).

 

[Eric the meek]

Good thread.

What is it to be English? What is different in England from Ukraine?

Football, tea, queuing, are all there. But what else? Fish and chips (might be tricky in central Ukraine), the royal family, driving on the left, going up to the bar to order drinks.

Also regional accents, local phrases and words, such as ones local to you - give back word, slutch, ginnel, have yer owt moist?. (My wife comes from Accrington).

Best of luck and enjoy the experience!

 

[Albion in the north]

Good thread.

What is it to be English? What is different in England from Ukraine?

Football, tea, queuing, are all there. But what else? Fish and chips (might be tricky in central Ukraine), the royal family, driving on the left, going up to the bar to order drinks.

Also regional accents, local phrases and words, such as ones local to you - give back word, slutch, ginnel, have yer owt moist?. (My wife comes from Accrington).

Best of luck and enjoy the experience!

Thanks. Differences is a good one.

 

[GT49er]

I don’t necessarily agree with all of the below, but a lot of people do.

Tea, Branston Pickle (I know, I’m obsessed), Greggs, Fawlty Towers (NOT Monty Python or Mr. Bean, which the Yanks have commandeered), full English breakfast, fish and chips, football, queuing, bad teeth (only going to get worse in future generations, thanks Tories)

Rubbish. My children's and grandchildren's teeth are far healthier than mine ever have been, even though (or perhaps because) I've had NHS dentistry all my life. Very good now, but believe me, for a child in the 50s and 60s it was brutal - for a start, dentists didn't get paid for a child's check up, but they did get paid for fillings; guess what? Some of us had a lot of fillings.
The real game changer was the addition of fluoride to the water supply (and I've no idea whether that was done by a Tory or Labour government - whichever it was, they got it spot on correct).

 

[jcdenton08]

Rubbish. My children's and grandchildren's teeth are far healthier than mine ever have been, even though (or perhaps because) I've had NHS dentistry all my life. Very good now, but believe me, for a child in the 50s and 60s it was brutal - for a start, dentists didn't get paid for a child's check up, but they did get paid for fillings; guess what? Some of us had a lot of fillings.
The real game changer was the addition of fluoride to the water supply (and I've no idea whether that was done by a Tory or Labour government - whichever it was, they got it spot on correct).

I am referring to the changes in NHS dentist funding, which has left a lot of people without basic affordable dental care. Obviously due to the nature of dental treatment, the signs won’t show immediately, but in the next generation where access to an NHS dentist will be even more uncommon.

 

[Eric the meek]

Thanks. Differences is a good one.

My wife Ann has also mentioned the Pendle witches. That would give the Ukrainian kids a really unique view of England !

 

[Chicken Run]

Whatever it is, we’re against it,

No that’s the French

 

[Bry Nylon]

We have a good sense of humour, especially puns, irony and self deprecatory.

Love self-deprecating humour. Just wish I was better at it.

 

[Albion in the north]

I am referring to the changes in NHS dentist funding, which has left a lot of people without basic affordable dental care. Obviously due to the nature of dental treatment, the signs won’t show immediately, but in the next generation where access to an NHS dentist will be even more uncommon.

That may not be giving them the best impression of the UK.

 

[Albion in the north]

My wife Ann has also mentioned the Pendle witches. That would give the Ukrainian kids a really unique view of England !

There are certainly some great local tales and maybe it would encourage them to tell me some of their own.

 

[Colonel Mustard]

I don’t necessarily agree with all of the below, but a lot of people do.

Tea, Branston Pickle (I know, I’m obsessed), Greggs, Fawlty Towers (NOT Monty Python or Mr. Bean, which the Yanks have commandeered), full English breakfast, fish and chips, football, queuing, bad teeth (only going to get worse in future generations, thanks Tories)

Gah! You nearly made it but just couldn’t resist!

My answer? There’s no such thing as British culture. We’re too pluralistic.

 

[Colonel Mustard]

That reminds me of a situation years ago in a pub. A colleague of mine was at the bar, patiently waiting to get served when “Ted” pushed in. My colleague said that Ted shouldn’t queue jump and Ted said “You better come outside” to which my colleague said “You better have one of these” “Whack” and Ted was on his way.

I shouldn’t laugh… but I did.

 

[Eeyore]

Love self-deprecating humour. Just wish I was better at it.

Or Brits not being very competitive. I'm always the first to say that.

 

[portlock seagull]

We naturally side with the underdog. It’s why we like Ukraine. That and Putin’s a ****

 

[Jack Straw]

Fish puns

I wouldn't mention fish puns. You cod be skating on fin ice.

 

[Albion in the north]

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

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

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!

Well done. You have my admiration and respect.

Look at this

What does it mean to be British – and does it still matter?

It is a summer for celebrating Britishness, but in many ways our identity has never been more complex. In the wake of the Queen's diamond jubilee and before the Olympics, we asked five young people to debate the issue

www.theguardian.com

and play them this



and this



and this



and this



They will either get it. Something. Or not

 

[Dick Head]

Tutting.