The training has been organised within the framework of a systemic project „Mobility of educational staff within the framework of institutional projects” implemented by the Foundation for the Development of the Education System in Warsaw co-financed by the European Union under the European Social Fund, Human Capital Operational Programme.

Session on British Life and Culture in the 21st Century by Bonnie Tsai

Anna Nacewicz and Bartosz Czerwiński, Poland

Anna Nacewicz and Bartosz Czerwiński, the participants of a project “How to be a teacher trainer”, August 2014 at Pilgrims English Language Courses, Canterbury, Great Britain, cooperating with English Unlimited Teacher Training Centre in Gdańsk.

Being American, Bonnie suggested that we get the insight into British life straight at the source and invited five British people to share with us their knowledge and opinions. The following article outlines the preparations we made and the outcome we got after this session. The session was part of the training organised in August 2014 at Pilgrims, Canterbury by English Unlimited Teacher Training Centre in Gdańsk within the framework of a systemic project „Mobility of educational staff within the framework of institutional projects” implemented by the Foundation for the Development of the Education System in Warsaw co-financed by the European Union under the European Social Fund, Human Capital Operational Programme.

Tuesday morning was beautiful, the sun was shining giving hope for a bright afternoon as well. No wonder that the spirits were great among us. Bonnie explained that we would have to prepare the questionnaire because in this way we would get the information we were looking for.

We started with a brainstorming and we obtained about thirty questions from which later on we chose final twenty-two to be included in our questionnaire. The questions were as follows:

1. Where are the typical places British people would spend the holidays?
2. What do you do for fun during the weekends?
3. What do you do after work?
4. What preparations would you make to host guests at your home?
5. What is the typical size of the British family?
6. How do families spend time together?
7. Do multi-generation families ever live together?
8. British humour is famous. What makes it special?
9. What stereotype about the British people is definitely not true?
10. How do you think other nations see the British?
11. What's your opinion on the British vs the American accents?
12. Could you give examples of most popular slang expressions among young adults?
13. Does the social class system still exist? Has it changed?
14. What kind of educational background do people from different social classes have?
15. What's your opinion about the Scottish separation movement?
16. What are your feelings about the new wave of immigration to Great Britain?
17. How do the British feel about the European Union?
18. Do the majority of the British think they would be better off in or out of the European Union?
19. Is there still rivalry between the French and the Brits?
20. What does being British mean to you?
21. Do you think Royal Family plays an important role in the UK?
22. What role does religion play in British life?

After having finished the questionnaire we were impatiently counting down time to our interviewees arrival. Finally, they appeared at the door. First Lindsay, an elegant woman, a housewife but a Spanish and EFT teacher at the same time, the citizen of Canterbury. Then, James, a university professor of English, of Irish origin. The next person was Sam, who graduated last year from Science Department at Manchester University and whose mother is half-Mexican. After them Lucy arrived. She had just graduated from university and was about to start her first job as a primary-school teacher. The last but not least was Matt, works for Pilgrims in administration, studied Post-colonial Literature.

Bonnie gave us time to talk to the people and we had extremely good time trying to learn something unusual from our native speakers. At this stage on behalf of our group I would like to thank all the five guests for their commitment and contribution into our knowledge about British life and culture in 21st century.

This is what we have learnt.

The most popular holiday destinations are: Cornwall, Isle of Wight, Blackpool, Yorkshire and abroad: Greece, Spain, Turkey, France. At the weekend British people go swimming, cycling or to the gym but they also meet friends in pubs or cinema. After work they go out for dinner, have a bath and chill out with a glass of wine. To host guests at home a typical Brit will clean the house, do the shopping and cook a meal. Nuclear family is he most popular size of a British family although statistically there is 2.4 child per family. Families spend less and less time together. They socialize, watch TV, eat together but also go out to theme parks or weekend clubs. Multi-generation families very rarely live together. If they do so it is for economic reasons or if one of grandparents is ill, a grandchild may live with them to take care. World famous British humour is special because it shows eccentricity, sarcasm and class stereotypes. The Brits can laugh at themselves which clashes with being serious.

Stereotypes which are definitely not true are: bowler hats, stiff upper lip, umbrellas, awful food and drinking tea. Other nations see British people as eccentric, formal, not speaking foreign languages, reserved and ignorant. Especially Americans see Britain as a good place to visit. People from post-colonial countries are anti-British. Our guests were not unified in their opinion about American accent. Younger generation thinks it is pleasant but older are not fond of it because it is difficult to understand, too sweet, Texas-like and annoying. Asked about popular slang expressions they did not mention many: “init” instead of “isn't”, “issue” used regardless the fact it is relevant or irrelevant, “well-fit” and “dishy” meaning attractive and “like” put in the sentence every second or third word. Social class system still exists and there is high awareness of class divisions. Now there are seven classes, which are divided especially by education, earnings and accent but also by the size of house or activities. People without work are underclass whereas people who work are privileged ones. As far as education is concerned the division starts at the age of 11. Those who pass the exams well can go to grammar-school where they have a chance to obtain good basis to A-levels and consequently their way to university is open. Middle and upper class people go to universities and obtain degrees. Working class will finish at GCSE. For them going to university is too expensive. People think that the UK is stronger when Scotland is with them and they hope Scottish will not separate. British do not object against immigrants but they strongly stress that the balance must be kept. Media give bad opinion about immigrants whereas some of them are more hard-working than the British. The British wish more educated people came. European Union is perceived with mixed feelings by the Brits. Majority is against the EU although it is good for business. A good thing about EU is easier travelling and that is the reason why British want to stay in the union. There is still rivalry between British and French but not as much as there used to be. Now it exists mostly in jokes. French food is highly estimated in Britain. Being British means a lot to them. It means being born in this country, belonging to this community, accepting variations of religions and languages. It also is freedom, democracy, right side of history and geographical diversion. Royal family is important not politically but culturally, more popular thanks to William and Kate. Religion is not very important, only 10% go to church.

PROJEKT: „Zagraniczna mobilność szkolnej kadry edukacyjnej w ramach projektów instytucjonalnych” współfinansowany przez Unię Europejską w ramach środków Europejskiego Funduszu Społecznego

Please check the British Life, Language and Culture course at Pilgrims website.
Please check the How to be a Teacher Trainer course at Pilgrims website.