Unit 5 Languages around the World
Listening and Talking
Learning objectives
In this class, you will
1. be aware that there are different kinds of English;
2. learn about the differences in vocabulary and spelling between
British and American English;
3. make a conversation on asking for clarification.
1. Which language has the most native speakers in the world — English,
Spanish, or Chinese?
2. How about English? Does it have the second largest number of native
speakers in the world?
Warming up
Chinese.
No. It comes the third, after Spanish.
1. Listen to the first part of the talk. What are the different
kinds of English mentioned?
They are British English, American English, Australian
English, and many others.
Listening: Activity 1
2. Listen again. In what ways are these kinds of English
different from each other? Are these differences great? Do
people from these countries have problems in
communication?
They are different in vocabulary, pronunciation and
grammar, but the differences are not great, and people
from these countries can understand each other with few
problems.
Listening: Activity 1
Listening: Activity 1
3. Read the first part of the talk and make sure of
your answers.
Listening: Activity 1
3. Read the first part of the talk and make sure of
your answers.
▪Listen to the second part of the talk. What are the two pairs
of words that the student is confused by? Tick them in the
boxes.
Listening: Activity 2
✔ ✔
2. Read after the recording, paying attention to their
different ways of using words.
Listening: Activity 2
2. Read after the recording, paying attention to their
different ways of using words.
Listening: Activity 2
1. Look at the pairs of words below. Which words are
British English and which are American English?
Listening: Activity 3
2. Can you think of more examples?
Listening: Activity 3
BrE
AmE
autumn
fall
certainly
sure
film
movie
football
soccer
practise
(v.)
practice
(v.)
3. Look at the words. Which are BrE, and which
are AmE?
Listening: Activity 3
colour
color
centre
center
jewellrey
jewelrey
3. Look at the words. Which are BrE, and which
are AmE?
Listening: Activity 3
colour
centre
jewellery
color
center
jewelery
BrE AmE
3. Are there any rules about BrE and AmE?
Listening: Activity 3
BrE metre theatre centre
AmE meter theater center
3. Are there any rules about BrE and AmE?
Listening: Activity 3
BrE labour honour favour
AmE labor honor favor
3. Are there any rules about BrE and AmE?
Listening: Activity 3
BrE quarrelled traveller
AmE quarreled traveler
Summary
BrE
AmE
Some rules for spelling between BrE and AmE :
-re -our -ll
-er -or -l
Listening: Activity 3
Listening: Activity 3
BrE
AmE
grey
gray
plough
plow
4. Are there any rules for spelling between BrE
and AmE?
1. Read the conversation and answer the questions.
Speaking: Activity 4
(1) What does Zhou Wei want to buy?
(2) Why does Martin feel puzzled about what Zhou
Wei wants to buy?
(3) How do they misunderstand each other?
(4) How do they clear up the misunderstanding?
1. Read the conversation and answer the questions.
Speaking: Activity 4
(1). What does Zhou Wei want to buy?
(2). Why does Martin feel puzzled about what
Zhou Wei wants to buy?
Speaking: Activity 4
He wants to buy some pants.
Because he doesn't usually go shopping
with his friends for pants.
(3). How do they misunderstand each other?
Speaking: Activity 4
Zhou Wei speaks American English, while
Martin speaks British English.
Martin explains that “pants” in British
English means underwear, and trousers are
actually what Zhou Wei means by pants.
(4). How do they clear up the misunderstanding?
3. Do you know the expressions asking for
clarification?
Speaking: Activity 4
2. Read the conversation and circle the words or
sentences showing or solving puzzles.
Speaking: Activity 4
4. Role-play the conversation.
Speaking: Activity 4
5. Choose one or two pairs of words from the
picture and make a conversation on asking for
clarification.
Speaking: Activity 4
Write down the conversation you have orally made .
Homework