Masami and I teach how to communicate in English, although, there are more than one type of English. Whichever English you speak or learn, do people still understand what you truly want to say?
In Japan, American English is taught in schools and universities but that isn't the only English. According to Wikipedia, as of 2019, there were 59 sovereign states and 27 non-sovereign entities where English was an official language. That's 86 different countries and within each country there are countless dialects. Sometimes, people who speak the "same" language can't understand each other.
One of these differences are using alternative words for the same thing, other times the different word means something else in the other English language. Look at the list below the first column
is British English and the second American English.
British English
trainers
jumper
waistcoat
vest
braces
suspenders
trousers
pants
American football
football
American English
sneakers
sweater
vest
undershirt
suspenders
garters
pants
underwear
football
soccer
As you can see, there could be a very confusing conversation:
American woman: "I like your pants."
British man: "Can you see them !?"
British woman: "Why are the goals that shape?"
American man: "That's what football goals look like."
American woman: "Is he wearing suspenders?"
British woman: "Really !? Under his trousers !?"
Being a native English speaker, I am aware of the differences in some English languages and find them quite amusing, interesting and confusing. I like to highlight these differences to my students without bias.
When a student is learning English for travel or to live overseas, I always use the English related to that country and it's cultural differences, too. It's one thing to speak English but another to communicate in it.
Brown's English Language School (BELS) is based in Sano, Tochigi.
We are a private school, here to help you with your English needs and wants.
We offer tailor-made classes just for you, online or in person.
To reach your English goals, contact us!
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