ESW lesson Cambridge

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vmbo t
• Leerjaar 4,5

English Speaking World 

What you'll need for this lesson:

Chromebook + notebook

At the end of this lesson

By the end of this lesson you will be able to answer factual questions about the origins of the English language. 

By the end of this lesson you will be able to summarise a short clip about the history of the British Empire.

Explain in 50-100 words what you think the English speaking world entails.

The English speaking World 

Definition:

Global community where English is the primary or widely spoken language.

Which countries do you think have the English language as their (un)official language?

The English speaking World 

Countries included:

• United Kingdom
• United States
• Canada
• Australia
• New Zealand
• Ireland
• South Africa
• India (English is one of the official languages)
• Singapore

• Philippines (English is one of the official languages)
• Malta (English is an official language)
• Jamaica
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Guyana
• Barbados
• Bahamas
• Grenada
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Lucia
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Belize

Official Language:

English is often an official language in these countries.

Lingua Franca:

Used as a common language in international communication.

Global Significance:

Plays a crucial role in business, diplomacy, and cultural exchange.

Diverse Cultures:

Encompasses a variety of cultures, traditions, and societies.

But where does this great language come from?

Let's look at a very very short video of how history played out.

Pay attention!! You might get some questions in between...

Time to test your knowledge

Geography 

Scotland

Ireland

England

Wales

What's the capital city of America?

1. Chicago, IL
2. New York, NY
3. Los Angeles, CA
4. Washington, DC

Which country is marked
on the map?

1. America
2. New Zealand
3. England
4. Australia

What's the capital city of Australia?

1. Canberra
2. Sydney
3. Melbourne
4. Ottawa

Which country is marked
on the map?

1. America
2. Canada
3. Greenland
4. Australia

Which country is marked
on the map?

1. Malaysia
2. New Zealand
3. India
4. Jamaica

The British Empire

The British Empire

When? Why? How? 

Short clip on the history of the British Empire. Listen carefully, you will need the information later. 

00:29

What is the approximate number of people who use English in some capacity?

1. More than 50 countries
2. The most words of any language
3. Approximately one-third of the world’s population
4. Two billion people

01:06

Which tribes invaded the British Isles in the fifth century AD and brought their Germanic language with them?

1. Vikings
2. Romans
3. Normans
4. Angles, Saxons, and Jutes

02:14

When did the Normans conquer England and introduce more than 10,000 words into the English language?

1. 15th century
2. Eighth century AD
3. Fifth century AD
4. 1066

03:31

What organization has required all international pilots to be proficient in English since 2008?

1. International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
2. United Nations (UN)
3. North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
4. World Health Organization (WHO)

Assignment: Summary 

Write a 150 word summary of the video we just watched: use the written script as a guide.

Time: 10 minutes

Model answer 

In the early 20th century, the British Empire reached its peak, but its roots trace back to the late 1400s. King Henry VI of England initiated Atlantic voyages, attempting to establish colonies in North America under Queen Elizabeth I. In the 17th century, King James I propelled the empire forward, founding Jamestown and expanding across the Americas and the Caribbean. Wars with France and the Netherlands solidified Britain's colonial dominance. Despite the loss of North American colonies in the American War of Independence, the empire flourished in Asia, the Pacific, and Africa until World War II. Economic strain and anti-colonial sentiments led to its dismantling, with Hong Kong's handover in 1997 marking its symbolic end. Despite its decline, British influence endures, with former colonies adopting the parliamentary system and contributing to global culture, sports, and language, notably English, spoken by approximately 400 million people worldwide.

I understand the basics of how the English language came to be

1. yes
2. no

I understand the basics of the history of the British Empire

1. yes
2. no

Let's finish with a laugh 

Trevor Noah Comedy on "How the British took over India".