County & Culture Week 2

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EngelsMiddelbare schoolhavoLeerjaar 4

This lesson contains 22 slides, with interactive quizzes, text slides and 1 video.

Lesson duration is: 90 min

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What do you think when you see the word 'identity?
Write down everything you can think of
and What is important in forming your own identity?

Slide 3 - Mind map

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Can you name some stereotypes for Dutch, British and American people? (put the country in brackets behind the stereotype)

Slide 5 - Mind map

Watch <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3IxMQsazAM">this</a> clip of a British comedy show called Little Britain

If there is one personal quality most British people say they possess, it is a sense of humour. You do not have to tell the best, most humorous jokes to be considered funny. A cleverly timed, or mildly funny remark is already appreciated. Raising a smile or getting a laugh is enough reason to say anything, even if you don't mean it. And if the joke is at your own expense, so much the better. The ability to laugh at yourself and to 'take a joke' is highly prized. Britain is famous for its many comedy sketch shows, and its many comedians like Ricky Gervais, Russell Howard, David Walliams, Michael McIntyre and older ones like Rowan Atkinson who played Mr Bean and with Hugh Laurie starred in the classic British show Blackadder. 

Some British people have a strong sense of identification with a city. Liverpool, whose people are known as Liverpudlians or Scousers, are very conscious of the distinct identity of their city, and its history and culture. Same for the people of Newcastle, known as Geordies, and people from Manchester (Mancunians), Glasgow (Glaswegians) and Londoners are each often proud to be identified with their city.  So, this is another way you can identify yourself. In a similar way, Dutch people might be proud to be from Brabant or Friesland. 

Britain can also be considered a multicultural society. In 1948, about 500 Jamaicans and Trinidadians, arrived in Britain. Several forms of Caribbean music, like reggae and ska, has established in Britain and had an influence beyond the Caribbean community (like London based band Madness who made ska popular). Another large ethnic group in Britain are Asians from countries like India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Britain itself does not have a significant cuisine (unless you count tea) but Indian dishes are considered to be typical British food. Most of these people still hold on to their traditions like religions, music, dress and food preferences. Even their languages are still used besides English. 

Watch <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CC5vUrEun_k">this</a> video from British YouTubers, Josh and Ollie. They are known to make videos about Korean culture, but they also make videos about British culture and try various foods from other countries and cultures. In this video, they talk about the most popular food in the UK which is from one of Britain's other ethnicities. 

<b><i>Scotland:</i></b> Several aspects of public life, like education, legal and welfare systems are organized separately and differently from the rest of Britain. The Scottish way of speaking English, known as Scots,  is also distinctive for their identity. On 25 January every year, many Scottish people attend 'Burns suppers' named after Scotland's national poet Robert Burns. At these parties, they read his poetry, wear kilts, sing traditional songs and eat haggis (made from sheep's heart, lungs and liver) 

<b><i>Wales:</i></b> One highly important part of Welsh identity is the Welsh language. For about 20% of the population, Welsh is their mother tongue. All children in Wales learn it at school and some newspapers and television channels are in Welsh. All public notices and signs are written in both Welsh and English. 

For the last 200 years, the distinction between 'English' and 'British' identities have become vague. In sport, the Scottish, Welsh and Irish have their own anthems, but the English only have <i>God Save the Queen</i> which is the same as Britain's. Now it happens that English supporters at football or rugby matches will wave the Cross of St. George instead of the Union Jack flag. They have also established their own anthem <i>Land of Hope and Glory </i>for the commonwealth games in which England competes separately. 

Social class can also be important in forming your identity. In Britain, it has always been possible to buy, marry or work your way up into higher social classes. The picture is a stereotype of the upper, middle and working classes (left to right). This is far from its present-day reality, but its image still exists in people's minds. Which 'social class' do you and your family belong to? 

What is a Cockney? <div>Cockney is a person from a certain area in London. In fact, the term is commonly used to distinguish people who come from a wider area of the innermost eastern suburbs on London and also an adjoining area south of the river Thames. </div><div>Cockney is also used to describe a strong London accent and is associated with working-class origins. Famous actor Michael Caine (batman, the prestige) is a Cockney. </div>

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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeSf7WhTtYo">Listen</a> to these New York students talk about what being an American means for them

and watch<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAAKZWKVNTg"> this</a> video where people talk about being an American and what the American dream means

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Watch <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGrVhM_Gi8k">this</a> video on norms, values and symbol in society

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What are some of your norms and values?