Society And Culture Of English-Speaking Countries

2561 Words11 Pages
Introduction 1. The countries of the world where the English language is spoken. 2. Approximate number of mother tongue speakers of English. Which place does English occupy in the world by its number of speakers? After which language(s)? ~ 300-400 million mother tongue speakers. 3rd place, after Mandarine and Spanish. 3. What is the difference between English as a Second Language, English as a Foreign Language and English for Specific Purposes? Give examples of situations where they are used. ESL – used in own country daily, India. EFL – learned as a language of another country. ESP – needed at work, in an academic environment, hotel English etc. 4. What is the difference between settlement colonies and the trading empire (dependencies)? Settlment colonies had a large number of settlers from Britain go there to live and start their communities (USA, Australia, Canada). In dependencies Brits were a small ruling class (India). 5. Which British colonies became dominions? What was their status? Is the name dominion used for these countries nowadays? Australia, Canada, Sri Lanka, India & Pakistan, Irish Free State, Newfoundland, New Zealand, South Africa. These countries had a responsible government – internally self-governed, controlled their internal affairs. Head of state however was the head of Britain. Not used today. 6. Which organisation unites Britain and most of its former colonies nowadays? Commonwealth Ireland 1. Who were the early inhabitants of Ireland? Hunters & fishers from the European mainland, 6000BC. Then Celts, 200 BC. 2. When was Christianity established in Ireland? Who is Ireland's patron saint? When is his feast day? 5th century. St. Patrick. 17th March, the day of his death. 3. When did the English conquest of Ireland begin? 12th century 4. Who were settled in the province of Ulster by King James I? What has this resulted

More about Society And Culture Of English-Speaking Countries

Open Document