Exploring English: Language and Culture

WEEK 1: STUDY GROUP TASK: MY FAVOURITE WORDS

In your study group this week youre going to talk about your favourite words in English. Are there any
English words you really like? Why do you like them? Later in the week your group will share its
choices with the other groups and then all the learners on the course will have the chance to vote for
their favourites.
Before you discuss your favourite words, look at this list:
In 2004, for its 70th anniversary, the British Council asked more than 40,000 people in 102 countries
to vote for their favourite English word.
Here are the top 70 words in the poll:

1 Mother
2 Passion
3 Smile
4 Love
5 Eternity
6 Fantastic
7 Destiny
8 Freedom
9 Liberty
10 Tranquility
11 Peace
12 Blossom
13 Sunshine
14 Sweetheart
15 Gorgeous
16 Cherish
17 Enthusiasm
18 Hope
19 Grace
20 Rainbow
21 Blue
22 Sunflower
23 Twinkle
24 Serendipity
25 Bliss
26 Lullaby
27 Sophisticated
28 Renaissance
29 Cute
30 Cosy
31 Butterfly
32 Galaxy
33 Hilarious
34 Moment
35 Extravaganza

British Council 2016

36 Aqua
37 Sentiment
38 Cosmopolitan
39 Bubble
40 Pumpkin
41 Banana
42 Lollipop
43 If
44 Bumblebee
45 Giggle
46 Paradox
47 Delicacy
48 Peekaboo
49 Umbrella
50 Kangaroo
51 Flabbergasted
52 Hippopotamus
53 Gothic
54 Coconut
55 Smashing
56 Whoops
57 Tickle
58 Loquacious
59 Flip-flop
60 Smithereens
61 Oi
62 Gazebo
63 Hiccup
64 Hodgepodge
65 Shipshape
66 Explosion
67 Fuselage
68 Zing
69 Gum
70 Hen night

Exploring English: Language and Culture

TASK 1: SHARE WHAT YOU KNOW

Look at the words in the list. Is your favourite English word there? Are there any words there that you
dont know?
In your study group, talk about this list. Tell the other members of your group which words are new to
you. Find the meaning of the words you dont know.
TASK 2: YOUR FAVOURITE WORD
At the end of this week of the course, you are going to vote on your favourite words in English. Youll
have the chance to vote in a poll on Step 1.18. Before that though, you need to make a list of the
favourite English words in your group.

First, decide who will be your reporter. The reporters job will be to make a list of the words
from your group and to share the list with the educator team by posting it on Step 1.5.
Think about your own favourite word in English. Why do you like it? Is it because of the sound of
the word? Or the meaning of the word? What does it make you think of? How does it make you
feel?
Share your word with the other members of the group and explain why you have chosen that
word.
You can choose words from the list of 70 words or you can choose your own word.
Reporter. You need to make a list of the words your group has chosen. One word from each
person. You need to share it on Step 1.5 by the end of Wednesday 8 June.
Everyone will then be able to vote for their favourite three words from the lists made by the
groups. You can vote on Step 1.18.
Well announce the favourite word for the course in our end of week video and emails.

If you are not sure what you have to do, you can ask the educators for help on Step 1.5.

If you want to read more about the British Council survey you can read these articles:
http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2004/nov/25/books.britishidentity
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4039185.stm

British Council 2016