Lesson Plan: “The Other British Invasion: How UK English Conquered the US”

Objective: Students will explore the profound influence of British English on American English, delving into the historical and cultural factors that have facilitated this linguistic exchange. By examining the article “The Other British Invasion: How UK Language Conquered the US,” students will understand how “British English has subtly but steadily infiltrated American vernacular, reshaping the way Americans speak and write.” They will analyze the impact of this phenomenon on contemporary language use in the US and reflect on its significance in their own linguistic experiences.

Materials:

• Article: “The Other British Invasion: How UK Language Conquered the US” from The Guardian
• Handouts with British vs. American English words (as shown below)

Introduction

1. Quiz Bowl 
   • Divide the class into teams of 4-5 students.
   • Using the handout, conduct a quick quiz bowl on British vs. American English words.
   • Teams write answers on mini-whiteboards and hold up simultaneously.
   • Award points for correct answers and discuss any interesting differences.
2. Carousel Brainstorm
   • Set up stations around the room with large papers, each titled with a different media type (e.g., TV shows, movies, books, social media).
   • Groups rotate through stations, writing examples of British English they’ve encountered in each media type.
   • After rotation, groups summarize findings to the class.

Main Activity

1. Jigsaw Reading
   • Divide students into home groups of five.
   • Assign each student a section of the article to become an “expert” on.
   • Students read their assigned section individually (5 minutes).
   • Experts from different home groups meet to discuss their section (10 minutes).
   • Students return to home groups and teach their section to others (10 minutes).
2. Fishbowl Discussion
   • Arrange chairs in two circles: an inner circle for active discussion and an outer circle for observation.
   • Pose questions about the article (see below).
   • The inner circle discusses while the outer circle observes and takes notes.
   • Rotate students between inner and outer circles every 5 minutes.

Questions for Discussion:

1. How has British TV influenced American language, and why do you think this influence is significant?
2. What role has social media played in spreading British English, and how might this differ from traditional media influence?
3. How do British terms add “sophistication” to American speech, and what does this suggest about cultural perceptions?
4. What are some examples of British words becoming popular in the US, and why do you think these particular words caught on?
5. How has this linguistic exchange affected American culture beyond just language use?

Conclusion 

1. Think-Pair-Share Reflection
   • Think: Students individually reflect on how British English has influenced their language use or perception of language.
   • Pair: Students discuss their reflections with a partner.
   • Share: Selected pairs share insights with the whole class.
2. Exit Ticket
   • Students write on a sticky note:
     a) One new thing they learned about British influence on American English
     b) One question they still have about the topic

Homework:

• Find three examples of British English in American media.
• For each example, write a brief explanation of:
  a) The context in which it was used
  b) Why do you think this British term was chosen over an American equivalent
  c) How it contributes to the overall tone or message of the media piece

Assessment:

• Participation in group discussions and presentations.
• Quality of written reflection.
• Completion of homework assignment.
• Participation in cooperative learning activities
• Quality of Contributions during the discussion
• Written reflection and exit ticket responses
• Homework completion and analysis

Further sources:

1. Grammarly Blog: “How British English and American English Are Different”
   This article discusses differences in spelling, grammar, vocabulary, and tone between British and American English.
2. ICLS Blog: “Evolution of English: Difference Between American and British English”
   This piece provides historical context for the evolution of English and highlights key differences in spelling and vocabulary.
3. NDLA (Norwegian Digital Learning Arena): “British and American English in a Historical Perspective”
   This resource explores the historical development of British and American English, addressing common misconceptions about which variant is more “proper.”
4. Differences between British and American English, The British Council

Handout: British vs. American English Words

British vs. American English Quiz

1. British English: Lift
   • American English: ___________
2. British English: Biscuit
   • American English: ___________
3. British English: Holiday
   • American English: ___________
4. British English: Rubbish
   • American English: ___________
5. British English: Flat
   • American English: ___________
6. British English: Lorry
   • American English: ___________
7. British English: Boot (of a car)
   • American English: ___________
8. British English: Nappy
   • American English: ___________
9. British English: Tap
   • American English: ___________
10. British English: Sweets
    • American English: ___________

The post Lesson Plan: “The Other British Invasion: How UK English Conquered the US” first appeared on The digital classroom, transforming the way we learn.

Title: Lesson Plan: “The Other British Invasion: How UK English Conquered the US”
URL: https://annmichaelsen.com/2024/09/26/lesson-plan-the-other-british-invasion-how-uk-english-conquered-the-us/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=lesson-plan-the-other-british-invasion-how-uk-english-conquered-the-us&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=lesson-plan-the-other-british-invasion-how-uk-english-conquered-the-us
Source: Teaching English using web 2.0
Source URL: https://annmichaelsen.com
Date: September 26, 2024 at 01:54PM
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