Exploring English:

language and culture

WEEK 3: COUNTRYSIDE
ACTIVITY 3.1
TRANSCRIPT
NICOLE: Hi. This week, were going to look at the British countryside. Now, whether youve visited
Britain or not, you probably have some ideas about the countryside here. Do you have a picture
in your head of what Britain looks like? Or an idea of what the weather is like here? What sort of
words come to mind?
We asked several people who have moved from other countries to live in Britain what they think
about the countryside and the climate here. Here are some of the things they said:
Fernando from Brazil talked about his first visit to England in 2006. He says:
It was just beautiful: the green fields, small villages and castles seemed like they came straight
out of a fairy tale.
I think thats a very traditional view of the British countryside especially the English countryside
green fields, villages, castles. Well see this week that theres more to the British countryside
than that.
But how about the weather? This is what Anne-Lise from Denmark said::
I love the British climate! The winters are short and mild, and the summers not too hot. You can
wear black tights all year round and dont have to worry about not being suntanned as lots of
people arent. And I like the rain too!
So Anne-Lise thinks the British climate is OK because it lets her wear the clothes she wants to!
There are lots of reasons why people might like or not like the countryside and climate in Britain.
In the next step, well look at some more opinions of Britains countryside and climate and then
you will share your views and opinions with other learners.

Exploring English
British Council 2014