Accents

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 3,4

English Accents

Objectives:

- You will know that there are different accents in English

- You will be able to point out differences in specific pronunciations between accents

What is an Accent?

Do you recognise this?

Spoken fragment

You are going to watch 2 videos in which people talk English.

- Can you guess which accent is spoken in the video (tip: take notes during the video)

Which accent of English is used
here?

1. British English
2. American English
3. Canadian English
4. Australian English

Which accent of English is used
here?

1. British English
2. South American English
3. Scottish English
4. British Old English

What did you notice?

What  can you say about the differences between the two accents?

Listen carefully: is this American English or British English?



Can you also explain how you know?

You aren't my aunt

1. American English
2. British English

Listen carefully: is this American English or British English?



Can you also explain how you know?

I've written the word 'button'

1. American English
2. British English

Listen carefully: is this American English or British English?



Can you also explain how you know?

Fragile

1. American English
2. British English

What are the main differences
between BE and AE?

What (other) English accents
do you know?

accent.gmu.edu

American English  VS  British English

You are going to watch part of a video where you'll hear the difference

between American English and British English.

• Make notes of what you hear
• Pay attention to the difference in pronunciation

Presentation assignment:

• You may form your own groups - 8 groups 
• You will be given an accent to study
• You will prepare a presentation in which you include (at least) the following information:
  

- Geographical / Sociocultural information

- Distinctive features 

- Example (e.g. YouTube)

• You will be graded on this presentation individually 
• Each person speaks for 3 minutes

• You will be given one lesson to start up your presentation together. 
   
• After that you have exactly one week to prepare your presentation by yourselves and for homework.

• The presentations will be held on 28 and 31 January. I will pull names on the 28th so it could be any of you. You must therefore be ready to present that day. If not you automatically lose 10 points.