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Language level: 3

Learning goals

Skills: Listening

Vocabulary: Differences between American and British English

Task: A national celebration in your country

Learning Vocabulary: Lost in America

In this week's Premier Skills English Podcast, Rich, Jack and Rowan are on a driving holiday in the USA. It's the Fourth of July and they visit a friend in California who takes them to see the Independence Day celebrations in San Francisco. The language focus is on differences between American and British English. In this week's task, we want you to tell us about Independence Day or a National Day in your country. Don't forget to listen to the end of the podcast because we have a new football phrase for you to guess.

If the listening was a bit difficult, you can listen again and read the transcript at the same time.

Read and listen at the same time.

How much did you understand?

Here is the vocabulary you saw at the top of this page and how Rowan, Rich and Jack used it in the roleplay. Do you know the words in bold?

Pull up here, Rich. This is it 1263 East Main Street.

So, you’re the designated driver. Great to see you Rich.

I thought I’d called shotgun for the next leg.

Come on, Rich. Learn the lingo.

There’s a lever just at the front of the driver’s seat.

We might have to do this the old fashioned way and ask someone. Pull over.

Right, let’s get going. We should be there in a couple of minutes. Just in time for the fireworks.

Listen to the roleplays again to hear how Rich, Rowan and Jack used these words and phrases.

Lana takes Rowan, Rich and Jack to see the fireworks in San Francisco.

Lana takes Rowan, Rich and Jack to see the fireworks in San Francisco.

American and British English: Clothes

In the roleplay, Rich, Jack and Rowan visited Lana: their American friend. People speaking American and British English can understand each other without very many problems but there are quite a few differences; especially with vocabulary. In the roleplay, there were quite a few examples of Lana using words and phrases that Jack, Rich and Rowan wouldn't normally use. Look at this example:

Lana: Great to see you, Jack. You look good. I love your pants.

Jack: Well, I wore them especially. Let me take that, I’ll stick it in the boot.

Lana: Stick it in the boot. I like the sound of that.

Jack: The trunk. I’ll put your bag in the trunk.

In the UK pants are underwear (what you wear under your trousers) but in the US pants are what British English speakers call trousers. Have a go at the activity below and decide if the word is used more in American or British English.

Activity 2: Match the American clothes with the British clothes.

David Beckham owns Inter Miami.

David Beckham owns Inter Miami.

American and British English: Places

Another area of vocabulary where there are quite a few differences between American and British English is in name's of places. In the roleplay, there were quite a few examples of Lana using words and phrases that Jack, Rich and Rowan wouldn't normally use. Look at this example:

Jack: Can we stop for a minute? I need a ... erm ... a break.

Lana: Take a left just after the drugstore. There’s a gas station.

Rowan: She means the chemist’s.

Lana: The chemist, the pharmacy, the drugstore - you know what I mean.

In the UK or British English, you go to a chemist's or a pharmacy if you want to buy medicine, in the US or American English you to a drugstore. Have a go at the activity below and decide if the word is used more in American or British English.

Activity 3: Match the American places with the British places.

They have old trams in San Francisco.

They have old trams in San Francisco.

American and British English: Food & Drink

Another area we looked at in the podcast was food and drink. Here's an example of Rich using a few words that Lana is unlikely to use:

Rich: I’ll come with you. Help translate! Does anyone want a snack? I could ask for some crisps or biscuits! Or maybe some sweets and some fizzy pop.

Lana: Very funny. Even I know those ones.

In the UK we often call drinks such as cola and other carbonated soft drinks fizzy pop; in American English, the word soda is often used. Have a go at the activity below and decide if the word is used more in American or British English.

Activity 4: Match the American food & drink with the British food & drink.

Do you know many differences between American and British English?

Do you know many differences between American and British English?

Independence Day

American Independence Day is on the fourth of July.

American Independence Day is on the fourth of July.

Quiz

This week’s task is to tell us about a celebration such as Independence Day or another National Day in your country that is similar to the Fourth of July celebrations in the USA.

These questions should help you complete the task:

  • Does your country have an Independence Day or National Day? How do people celebrate? Is it something that is celebrated with friends and family at home or are there big events in the street?
  • Do people cook and eat anything special on this day? Is it a holiday or do you have to go to work? What do you like about this day?

Try to use some of the words and phrases we’ve introduced in this podcast. Write all your answers in the comments section below and don't forget to make a guess at this week's football phrase!

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