The United Kingdom of The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Great Britain and Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland

Survey of English Speaking Countries

Getting Started

Today, we will be exploring the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Let’s begin by finding out what you already know about this topic.

Get ready to think of your answers to these questions…

What countries does “Great What countries does “Great Britain” include?Britain” include?

A) England, Scotland and A) England, Scotland and

Wales.Wales.

B) England, Scotland, B) England, Scotland,

Wales and Northern Ireland.Wales and Northern Ireland.

C) England and ScotlandC) England and Scotland

What does the “United Kingdom” What does the “United Kingdom” inlcude?inlcude?

A)A) England, Scotland England, Scotland

and Wales.and Wales.

B) England and Ireland.B) England and Ireland.

C) Great Britain and C) Great Britain and

Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland..

Where are these flags from?Where are these flags from?

ScotlanScotlandd

Northern Northern IrelandIreland

EnglandEngland

WalesWales

The UNION JACK is the UK The UNION JACK is the UK flagflag

London is the capital city of London is the capital city of the UK, can you name these the UK, can you name these

famous places?famous places?Big Big BenBen

The The British British MuseumMuseum

The The Tower Tower of of LondonLondon

Buckingham Buckingham PalacePalace

Can you name these Can you name these famous British famous British

people?people?

William William ShakespeareShakespeare

Margaret Margaret ThatcherThatcherPrince Prince

CharlesCharles

J. K J. K RowlingRowling

Who’s the current UK Prime Who’s the current UK Prime Minister?Minister?

Nick Nick CleggClegg

David David CameronCameron

Gordon Gordon BrownBrown

Which is the capital city of Which is the capital city of Wales?Wales?

a) Holyheada) Holyhead

b) Swanseab) Swansea

c) Cardiffc) Cardiff

Which is the capital city of Which is the capital city of Northern Ireland?Northern Ireland?

a)a) DublinDublin

b) Belfastb) Belfast

c) Derryc) Derry

Basic Information:Basic Information:

The “United Kingdom” includes The “United Kingdom” includes Great Britain (England, Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales) and Northern Scotland, Wales) and Northern Ireland. Great Britain and Ireland. Great Britain and Northern Ireland are the two Northern Ireland are the two main islands of the United main islands of the United Kingdom.Kingdom.

The national capital is The national capital is London.London.

Basic Information:Basic Information:

The flag of the UK represents The flag of the UK represents England, Northern Scotland, England, Northern Scotland, the flag of Great Britain, and the flag of Great Britain, and

Northern Ireland.Northern Ireland.

England= EnglandEngland= England

Britain= England + WalesBritain= England + Wales

Great Britain= England + Wales Great Britain= England + Wales + Scotland+ Scotland

United Kingdom= England + United Kingdom= England + Wales + Scotland + Northern Wales + Scotland + Northern Ireland Ireland

In addition to Great Britain In addition to Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the and Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom has many small United Kingdom has many small islands. It also has many islands. It also has many territories around the world territories around the world that may not officially be that may not officially be considered part of the United considered part of the United Kingdom but do have a special Kingdom but do have a special relationship with the British relationship with the British government. government.

WeatherWeather: Great Britain : Great Britain experiences plenty of experiences plenty of rainfall, and the weather is rainfall, and the weather is often changeable and difficult often changeable and difficult to predict. Because of this, to predict. Because of this, weather is often a topic for weather is often a topic for discussion. Because of the discussion. Because of the abundant rainfall and mild abundant rainfall and mild climate, Britain is great climate, Britain is great environment for plants to grow environment for plants to grow and is very green.and is very green.

LanguageLanguage: : English is the English is the official language for the official language for the entire United Kingdom, but entire United Kingdom, but some people speak it in some people speak it in different ways, influenced by different ways, influenced by their family history. (Welsh their family history. (Welsh English, Scottish English, English, Scottish English,

etc.)etc.)

Other Nationalities: Other Nationalities: The The

United Kingdom contains people United Kingdom contains people

from many countries. These from many countries. These

immigrants sometimes live in immigrants sometimes live in

communities with other communities with other

immigrants from the same area. immigrants from the same area.

As of 1998, there were 170,000 As of 1998, there were 170,000

Chinese living in Britain, Chinese living in Britain,

mostly from Hong Kong. 1/3 of mostly from Hong Kong. 1/3 of

those Chinese were living in those Chinese were living in

London at the time.London at the time.

Other Nationalities: Other Nationalities: All of All of

these immigrants make the UK these immigrants make the UK

one of the most culturally one of the most culturally

diverse countries in Europe. diverse countries in Europe.

The UK’s immigration policy The UK’s immigration policy

has become more flexible in has become more flexible in

recent years, allowing for recent years, allowing for

even more immigrants.even more immigrants.

Economy:Economy:

The UK’s well-developed The UK’s well-developed

banking system makes it one of banking system makes it one of

the leading financial centers the leading financial centers

of the world. Foreign trade is of the world. Foreign trade is

important to the economy.important to the economy.

Service industry is Britain’s Service industry is Britain’s

fastest growing and most fastest growing and most

important part of the national important part of the national

economy. By 2000, 75% of the economy. By 2000, 75% of the

total work force was employed total work force was employed

in service industries in service industries

(financial service, tourism (financial service, tourism

and transportation, and and transportation, and

trade).trade).

Economy:Economy:

Service industry is Britain’s Service industry is Britain’s

fastest growing and most fastest growing and most

important part of the national important part of the national

economy. By 2000, 75% of the economy. By 2000, 75% of the

total work force was employed total work force was employed

in service industries in service industries

(financial service, tourism (financial service, tourism

and transportation, and and transportation, and

trade). trade).

Financial Service: London is Financial Service: London is

one of the three financial one of the three financial

centers of the world, the centers of the world, the

other two being New York and other two being New York and

Tokyo.Tokyo.

Britain is the 5Britain is the 5thth largest largest

tourist country in the world tourist country in the world

after the United States, after the United States,

Spain, France, and Italy. The Spain, France, and Italy. The

tourist industry benefits from tourist industry benefits from

a well-developed a well-developed

transportation system in transportation system in

Britain.Britain.

GovernmentGovernment

EducationEducation

Famous Places: Cities & Landmarks

• Cambridge UniversityCambridge University• Oxford UniversityOxford University• Some famous cities in Great Britain are Some famous cities in Great Britain are London, Birmingham, Glasgow, Manchester, London, Birmingham, Glasgow, Manchester, Liverpool, Southhampton, Kingston, Plymouth, Liverpool, Southhampton, Kingston, Plymouth, Sheffield, and Edinburgh.Sheffield, and Edinburgh.

• London is the capital of England and the whole London is the capital of England and the whole United Kingdom. It functions as the country’s United Kingdom. It functions as the country’s most important political, economic, cultural, most important political, economic, cultural, communications, and industrial center.communications, and industrial center.

• Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland.Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland.

• What else is this country sometimes known for? Remember, sometimes a country is known for something because it is true, but it is important to remember the diversity in a country’s people and avoid stereotypes.

• {tea & biscuits, Royal Family, fish and chips, pubs, British people are sometimes thought to be very formal, football (soccer)}

Common Characteristics

Let’s look at a few other things the British are known for in terms of personality and mannerisms.

This list was put together by a Dutch man who spent several years living in the UK.

Humor• Humor is very important in the British society.

• It is used in many ways: – to establish a positive atmosphere, – to create a sense of togetherness, – to bridge differences, – to introduce ideas, – to criticize, – to show appreciation or dislike of a person.

British people joke about everything including the queen, politicians, religion, themselves and you!

Indirect Communication

• In contrast to for instance Americans, Germans and Dutch, British people have a quite indirect communication style.

• They will not usually tell you what they think or mean directly. You will have to read between the lines to understand what they really mean.

Informality

• Relationships in the workplace and in an educational setting are often informal.

• Most people call their boss and other colleagues by their first names.

• Style of dress depends more on personal preference than on one’s position.

“No Complaints”

British people are not very likely to

complain. They will often tolerate

bad service or bad food at a

restaurant, because they don't want

to make a scene.

Friendly

• Although the British are generally seen as being reserved, you will find that in the North of England, people are usually quite friendly.

• They will appreciate it if you make a chat about the weather or take an interest in local affairs.

Polite• British are very polite. In a restaurant, you will have to say thank you when you get the menu, thank you when you place the order, thank you when get your dishes, thank you when the waiter takes away the plates and even thank you when you pay!

• You'll have to say "excuse me" if you want to pass someone and "I'm sorry" if you accidentally touch someone.

Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland, as part of the UK, has several Northern Ireland, as part of the UK, has several similarities. Still, there are some facts and parts of similarities. Still, there are some facts and parts of culture that make Northern Ireland unique.culture that make Northern Ireland unique.

• In 1801, Ireland became part of the UK. After some In 1801, Ireland became part of the UK. After some war within Ireland, in 1921 the country split into war within Ireland, in 1921 the country split into two parts, the Republic of Ireland and Northern two parts, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The Republic of Ireland is independent, Ireland. The Republic of Ireland is independent, but Northern Ireland is part of the UK.but Northern Ireland is part of the UK.

• The capital city is Belfast.The capital city is Belfast.

Northern Ireland•While the euro is the currency in the rest of While the euro is the currency in the rest of Ireland, Northern Ireland uses the British Ireland, Northern Ireland uses the British Pound. Most large shops do still accept the Pound. Most large shops do still accept the euro.euro.

•The Northern Ireland economy is the smallest The Northern Ireland economy is the smallest of the four countries that make up the United of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom: England, Scotland, Wales and Kingdom: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland• Tourist authorities like to promote Northern Tourist authorities like to promote Northern Ireland as a safe place to visit. According to one Ireland as a safe place to visit. According to one United Nations report, Northern Ireland has the United Nations report, Northern Ireland has the second-lowest crime rate in the developed world.second-lowest crime rate in the developed world.

• There are so many rivers, lakes and so much There are so many rivers, lakes and so much coastline in Northern Ireland, it's no surprise coastline in Northern Ireland, it's no surprise that many of its best-known sporting activities that many of its best-known sporting activities are water-based. Golf is also a popular sport.are water-based. Golf is also a popular sport.