Engelsk - Typically American? A foreign visitor’s impressions of Americans are often based on stereotyped characters brought forth by TV, films and media.
Most of us have been bombarded by TV programs sporting bikini clad blondes, Hollywood wives, high school musicals or MTV rappers. Luckily, reality paints a different picture. On stepping on to American soil, we are greeted by the vast diversity of multicultural America. People of all shapes, races and sizes mill around in public areas and malls. At first glance Americans are outgoing and friendly. A Country of Doers A country built on individualism and a Protestant work ethic handed down from the Founding Fathers has produced a uniquely dynamic people.
America’s Silly Side Americans have been described as being able to laugh at themselves. Patriotism Americans are proud and very patriotic. Think Big Events. US - Dialects and Accents. Although English is not the official national language of the country, it is the official language of thirty states.
The majority of people speak English as a native language, and even though accents and dialects exist, your chances of understanding everyone are very good. Here is a trailer for the movie Forrest Gump. Enjoy the very fine Southern accent before you continue reading. Dialect/Accent - Who Me? So where will you find these dialects and accents? Engelsk - After School Activities.
Sports are not the only activities offered.
Students can join clubs according to what interests them, e.g. foreign languages, music, dance, drama, cheerleading or chess to name a few. Many students participate in these activities and think it is one of the best things about school! Not only do they make friends but they develop a stronger school spirit and gain self-confidence. Extra curricular activities provide students an opportunity to explore their interests and further develop skills, whether it be intellectual, physical, creative or cultural. In addition to participating in school sports and clubs there has been a recent trend in volunteerism. They are making an invaluable contribution to society and it makes them a more well rounded person. Comprehension What is another term used for extra-curricular activities? Discussion.
Engelsk - Capital Punishment. Pre reading activity: Take a poll in your class about the death penalty.
How many people are in favour of it? How many are against it? How many are undecided? Make a list of the reason(s) why some students are undecided. Review the results: Make a pie chart diagram with the class results. Group Discussion: Are the results at all surprising to you? Otherwise known as the death penalty, capital punishment means executing a criminal for a serious crime. Those states which practice it are primarily southern states with Texas executing the most criminals (452 since 1976).
Engelsk - Homeless Teenagers. There are many misconceptions about this group.
Some of them have a job and make money, they just have an intolerable situation at home; others are criminals and drug addicts. However, though their situation and resourcefulness may vary greatly none of them are actually living the life they dreamed of. Listen to what life is like for these homeless teens. As you listen, take notes about each person to answer the comprehension questions. Tasks and Activities Comprehension Why are they homeless? Discussion Do these teenagers fit your image of homeless teenagers?
Writing Write an essay in which you discuss what it is like being homeless and what you feel society could do to help these people. Mini-talk Search the Internet for stories about homeless people. Engelsk - American Sports. Before you read the text, do the quiz and check your knowledge of American sport.
American Sports Quiz The Winner Takes it All The traditional American values such as individual freedom, progress and free enterprise are all based on the principle of competition. Americans are born and raised with the competitive spirit as the prime driving force of nearly all human activity. They believe that competition will eventually bring out the best; whether it is between companies competing for markets, students competing for the best jobs, schools competing for the best results or professional sport teams competing for success and glory. Football In the USA, European football is called soccer; American football is something completely different. SUPERBOWL - The Ultimate American Sports Event Baseball This particular sport has long traditions in the USA and is recognized as the national sport. Sport on the Timetable. Engelsk - Guns and Democracy. You can find an easy version of this text here: Guns and Democracy – Text in Brief The Constitution.
Ndla. Vocabulary Use the dictionary to look up the meaning of the words you are unsure of, before you read the text. impressions, clad, mill around, barely, superficial level, community spirit, charities, volunteer, pledge allegiance, ignorant, spectators, gargantuan, pageants, aficionados, seeds, foliage, urbanites, dwellers, emphasis, abundance, temptations, obesity, explore Hide A foreign visitor’s impressions of Americans are often based on stereotyped characters brought forth by TV, films and media.
Most of us have been bombarded by TV programs sporting bikini clad blondes, Hollywood wives, high school musicals or MTV rappers. Luckily, reality paints a different picture. A Country of Doers Do It Yourself A country built on individualism and a Protestant work ethic handed down from the Founding Fathers has produced a uniquely dynamic people. America’s Silly Side Americans have been described as being able to laugh at themselves. Patriotism 4th July Americans are proud and very patriotic. Ndla. First test your geography skills here: Can You Place and Name the US States?
Colonies to States The birth of the US goes back to 1776, when 13 British colonies were established on the Atlantic coast. Ndla. What is an American?
If you have read some of our texts about The USA - Immigration, the Melting Pot or American Values, you are aware of the fact that it is difficult to state exactly what it takes to be an American or to become an American. From Many to One How was it possible to "Americanize" people flocking to the United States of America bringing along their own cultures and values? A measure that has proven quite effective to make one nation out of the millions of immigrants that have crossed the American borders, is the Pledge of Allegiance.