Ideas For English Conversation Groups [antikvár]

THE BRITISH The following are all quotations from au-pair girls of different nationalities who are working In Britain. Catherine (Dutch) Years ago young people wanted to be in Paris, in New York, but now it is London, because London is the centre of the world. No, it is not really the centre of the world, it is the centre of the attention of the world. Claude (Belgian) When an Englishman speaks a foreign language he thinks it is very funny. They think It is a big joke that there is another language. They only take English seriously and all the other languages are just to laugh at, not to speak with. Ingrid (Swedish) I am surprised that Englishmen prefer a lot of rugs and hot water bottles in their beds instead of some more pleasant form of heating. I had only seen English men on films and on the television and they always wore bowler hats and umbrellas and everything like that, and no smiles. But they're not like that, they're not like the men I saw on the television. I thought really everyone would be like that man in The Avengers. But then, maybe if I go to America I would expect everyone on a horse. And the English boy, like all boys, doesn't think he's almost a husband. But the English boy is more male than the Swedish boy and more a gentleman too, he opens doors, pays for everything, and he seems very respectful. What things do you think are typically British. If you had to list the 3 best points in favour of your countrymen what would they be? What about the three worst things? SITUATIONS What would you say in the following situations :— a) you want to open the window on the train. b) you want to suggest going to the cinema to some friends. c) you want to agree with a friend who suggests going to the cinema d) you would like to offer a friend a cup of tea or coffee, e) you arrive later after arranging to meet someone. f) you would like the salt, but it is at the other end of the table, g) you have no matches and you want to light your cigarette, h) you have no matches and someone asks you to light their cigarette. i) you are offered more food, but you don't want any more. j) a friend of your parents' arrives at your home, but only you are at home. I'VE HEARD THAT SOMEWHERE BEFORE Certain lines of dialogue have become famous or infamous. Suggest scenes in which you could find the following lines: (a) But, darling, things shouldn't be like this between us. (b) OK, I'll give you five minutes. (c) I can't take any more. (d) It's the sort of thing that you don't think can happen to you, (e) No! Noi No!