Slang and Britsh expressions

British language: history, idioms and slang
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Slide 1: Slide
EngelsMiddelbare schoolvwoLeerjaar 3

This lesson contains 38 slides, with interactive quizzes, text slides and 2 videos.

time-iconLesson duration is: 60 min

Items in this lesson

British language: history, idioms and slang

Slide 1 - Slide

Content
The history of the English language
United Kingdom and Ireland accents
Expressions/idioms
Slang

Slide 2 - Slide



You will know commonly used slang words and expressions

You will be able to use them yourself


To keep up with the language
To be able to speak to any generation
To broaden your British vocabulary
It is fun
WHAT and WHY

Slide 3 - Slide

The History of the English Language

Slide 4 - Slide

Development
- Modern English = I steal, you steal, he steals, we steal
- Old English = ic stele, þu stilst, hē stilð, we stelaþ
- Similar to the German "Naamvallen"
- English & German are part of the same Germanic language
   family and have the same origin. 

Slide 5 - Slide

Old English (450-1100)
- Up until 450: a mix of languages, mostly Celtic, some Latin
- Part of Roman empire 43 - 410 AD
- Angles, Saxons & Jutes invade England
- Add lots of new words:
   eald (old), brodor (brother), hus (house)

Slide 6 - Slide

Middle English (1100-1500)
- Vikings have invaded England
- Added 2000 words
- 1066: Norman Conquest
- The French conquer the British Isles
- Latin = the new important language of church & politics
- More difficult words enter the language: justice, liberty, etc

Slide 7 - Slide

Early Modern English (1500-1800)
- The Hundred Years War ends the French rule
- 15th century: invention of the printing press
- More books = more access = more standardisation
- Shakespeare adds 1700 words (puppy, fashionable, alligator)
- 16th century onwards: colonialisation

Slide 8 - Slide

Late Modern English (1800-now)
- Industrial Revolution & Enlightenment (Verlichting): new
   words for technological, philosophical & scientific concepts
- English spreads the world: vocabulary added for things &
   animals from other countries. 

Slide 9 - Slide

British empire in 1921

Slide 10 - Slide

Slide 11 - Video

Expressions/idioms

Slide 12 - Slide

When a British person says 'It's not ideal.' what do they actually mean?
A
This is terrible, my life is ruined
B
This isn't okay, but I'll manage.
C
Things could be better
D
You aren't satisfied.

Slide 13 - Quiz

When a British person says to you: 'Look, let's just forget about it.'
What do they actually mean?
A
I'm not mad at you. It's okay.
B
I will remember this until my dying day.
C
No problem, it can happen to anyone.
D
I'm not interested in taking revenge.

Slide 14 - Quiz

I went to my friend’s house to watch the England game the other day. I walked in and said “alright'' ?

What does this friend mean with 'alright'?
A
How are you doing?
B
Is the match going okay?
C
Is it okay if I watch the game with you?
D
I've a good feeling about this game.

Slide 15 - Quiz

What do British people actually mean when they say: It's not quite what I had in mind.
A
It's exactly what I had in mind
B
Err....are you out of your mind?
C
What the bloody hell is this?!
D
.I don't want this, but it'll do for now

Slide 16 - Quiz

When a British person says: Happy new year!
They're actually saying....
A
Happy new year!
B
This new year has started off well.
C
I want to kiss you and wish you a happy new
D
The year is practically over. Stop it

Slide 17 - Quiz

What is in British slang 'a doddle'?
A
A very easy job
B
A stupid person
C
A very difficult task
D
A small child

Slide 18 - Quiz

When a British person says something is 'very interesting', they mean to say...
A
they are very impressed.
B
this is clearly nonsens
C
that something is very good.
D
they really like your idea.

Slide 19 - Quiz

For the following words or expressions: 



What do you think they mean or refer to? Please raise your hand.

Slide 20 - Slide

He's a bit of a character.

Slide 21 - Slide

Are you taking the piss?

Slide 22 - Slide

I can't be arsed to do my English homework

Slide 23 - Slide

What is slang?
Can anyone tell me??

Slide 24 - Slide

Slide 25 - Slide

Slang -Meaning

Slang is informal language to a particular social class or group
The language of slang, in common with the English language, is changing all the time; new words and phrases are being added and some are used so frequently by so many, they almost become mainstream.

Slide 26 - Slide

Now... British slang!
Watch the video and learn some typical British slang.

Slide 27 - Slide

Slide 28 - Video

Write a sentence using a British slang word(from the video or your brain).

Slide 29 - Open question

How good is your knowlegde of British Slang?
I'm bloody brilliant
I know a fair few
I know some words
I have got no clue

Slide 30 - Poll

Guess the correct answer




Slide 31 - Slide

What does the slang word 'blimey' express?
A
A rude way of saying 'oh my God'
B
Saying someone is to blame for something
C
Seeing something surprising or impressive
D
Seeing something very slimey

Slide 32 - Quiz

When something is smashing. It?
A
is broken in a million pieces
B
is a great succes
C
is drunk
D
is terrible

Slide 33 - Quiz

When do you use the expression: Bob's your uncle
A
Used if you want to say that Bob is your uncle.
B
Used to say that Bob isn't a very nice uncle.
C
Your familiy is so large, you call everyone Bob.
D
You have just finished an easy job.

Slide 34 - Quiz

If you describe someone as: 'A few sandwiches short of a picnic', you actually mean...
A
That person is always hungry
B
That person is a little bit too fat
C
That person hasn't got a lot of common sense
D
That person never brings enough food

Slide 35 - Quiz

Expressions
A set of words used in a certain way to EXPRESS a certain meaning

Slide 36 - Slide

What have you learned this lesson?
Did we reach our goals???

Slide 37 - Mind map

BYE

Slide 38 - Slide