A society is not defined by language alone, but by many other aspects. Learning a foreign language is much more than learning words, expressions and grammar rules. It is learning about the culture too.
Culture embraces a whole range of domains. Think about your own society, community; what links you together?
Language? Food? Art? Religion? Festivities? Clothes? Customs and Habits?
Do you feel you belong to the community you are associated with?
Think about the UK, the USA, or Australia for a few seconds. What do you think about? What do you know about their lifestyle, their customs?
What would you expect to see when you visit London, New York, Sydney?
We might all have a picture in our head of what life is like in another country, even if it's basic, but it might not be quite accurate. Therefore, you should learn more about behaviour, etiquette and traditions.
Learning a foreign language should always include some cultural lessons, in order to prepare students for a possible visit to the country, and be better equipped.
It is very interesting to learn others' ways, what is seen as normal or strange in another society. Just because other societies live differently doesn't make them better or worse, just different.
However, understanding their history could also help us understand some of their ways.
Don't think of it as being simplistic. Culture is never just a simple thing, it is very important to the people who live it.
So, what about the UK? What are some of our customs and habits that might be different from yours?
"Look at me!"
In the UK, when a teacher speaks to a pupil, he or she is expected to look at the teacher in the eyes as a mark of respect, but also to show he or she is listening attentively. Yet, in other cultures, this might be seen as disrespectful. Of course, this applies outside the classroom too. When children are spoken to, they are expected to look at the person in the eyes, to show they are listening.
Eating etiquette
When you are invited for dinner, always wait for the host to serve everybody before you start eating. It is considered very rude to start before others. If in doubt, just wait for the host to start first. You are expected to eat with a knife and fork, unless you are told you can use your fingers.
It is customary to place your cutlery together on the right side of the plate, when you finish eating. This shows that you do not expect to have anything else to eat, and so the plate can be taken away. You are expected to keep your hands on the table, but not your elbows.
In Northern England, many families still drink tea with their dinner.
"Could you take your shoes off, please?"
Some families in the UK ask visitors to take off their shoes when they come through the door. This is to protect the carpet or other types of flooring. It is not a religious ritual or any other type of observance, but simply to ensure that the visitor doesn't bring dirt indoors.
Pelican crossing
If you drive in the UK, you must respect pedestrian crossings at all times. Pedestrians do expect drivers to stop and allow them to cross the road, so be careful because you could cause much damage if you don't.
These are only a few examples. We'll bring you much more on cultural competence later on, as this is such a vast subject.
So, how much do you know about the culture in the UK? Feel free to leave your comments and tell us about your own cultural aspects.
Eva Ruiz
