It is often said that the US and Britain are two countries separated by a common language, and this separation can cause confusion for young learners in English speaking nations.<\/p>” content_phone=”
It is often said that the US and Britain are two countries separated by a common language, and this separation can cause confusion for young learners in English speaking nations.<\/p>” content_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ header_text_align=”left” header_text_color=”#000000″ width=”70%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”37px||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” hover_enabled=”0″ header_text_align_tablet=”center” header_text_align_phone=”center” header_text_align_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_orientation_tablet=”center” text_orientation_phone=”” text_orientation_last_edited=”on|phone” sticky_enabled=”0″ header_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_font_size_phone=”38px” header_font_size_tablet=”38px”]
It is often said that the US and Britain are two countries separated \nby a common language, and this separation can cause confusion \nfor young learners in English speaking nations.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Letters and phonics” _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”50px||0px||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ collapsed=”on” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default” width=”95%” max_width=”1200px” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|10px||10px|false|false”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ custom_padding=”||||false|false” locked=”off”]American English and British English differ in several ways and these differences can prove difficult for young learners struggling to master the art of writing. In Singapore, British English is the standard but problems are caused by the enormous cultural influence of the United States. Every time a child watches \u2018Frozen\u2019 or \u2018The Avengers\u2019 they are exposed to American English. This can lead to difficulty with spelling, grammar and even vocabulary as the British and the Americans disagree on the names of many everyday objects.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”What is phonics” _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”50px||0px||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ collapsed=”on” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default” width=”95%” max_width=”1200px” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|10px||10px|false|false”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/fromapixel.com\/lcentralold\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/LCentral-English-Enrichment-Tuition-Singapore-Blog-American-English-Versus-British-English_Common-Americaisms.jpg” title_text=”LCentral English Enrichment Tuition Singapore Blog American English Versus British English_Common Americaisms” _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||||false|false” locked=”off”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_line_height=”1.8em” custom_padding=”20px||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” sticky_enabled=”0″]
Sometimes the Americans call something one thing and the British call it something else. Often the American name for things is more familiar as it is the one that people hear more often on television and in movies. However, since British English is the standard adopted here, Singaporean students need to be aware of the British nouns and to use them wherever possible.<\/p>\n
Below is a list of some of the more common Americanisms used in Singapore and their British English counterparts.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Challenge #1: So Many Sounds” _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”30px||0px||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ collapsed=”on” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default” width=”95%” max_width=”1200px” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|10px||10px|false|false”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#f7b70b” locked=”off”]
At the end of a meal in Britain, diners at restaurants ask for the bill.<\/p>\n
Both countries have specially printed forms written on to order a bank to pay a stated sum from the drawer\u2019s account. In America, this is a check (as above) whereas in Britain it is a cheque<\/span> – same pronunciation but different spelling.<\/p>\n Speaking of spelling, that\u2019s a whole other topic! We\u2019ll save that for another article.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Challenge #1: So Many Sounds” _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”30px||0px||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ collapsed=”on” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default” width=”95%” max_width=”1200px” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|10px||10px|false|false”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#f7b70b” locked=”off”] Technically, MOE permits students to use American English. However, this is only on the condition that its use is totally consistent, which means no British English. This effectively reverses the problem, and presents an even greater challenge for students.<\/p>\n Students should, therefore, strive to use British English wherever possible when speaking and writing. While the occasional use of certain American words may go unnoticed by examiners, errors in spelling and grammar will be penalised – even if the spelling is correct in American English. It is a good idea for students to have some British influence in the media they consume as this will sharpen their focus and help them to differentiate between British and American English.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Navigation” _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||80px||false|false” collapsed=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default” width=”95%” max_width=”1200px”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|10px||10px|false|false”][et_pb_post_nav in_same_term=”on” prev_text=”Previous Blog Post” next_text=”Next Blog Post” _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” title_font_size=”19px”][\/et_pb_post_nav][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Author” module_id=”Head-of-Curriculum” _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#ffe36a” custom_padding=”1px||0px|||” locked=”off” collapsed=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”95%” max_width=”1200px” custom_padding=”0px|10px||10px|false|false”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ admin_label=”image” _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”50px||50px||false|false” custom_css_main_element=”margin: 23px auto;”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/fromapixel.com\/lcentralold\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/LCentral-English-Enrichment-Tuition-Singapore-Blog-American-English-Versus-British-English_English-Specialist.jpg” title_text=”LCentral English Enrichment Tuition Singapore Blog American English Versus British English_English Specialist” _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ admin_label=”text” _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”69px||50px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”50px||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_orientation=”justified” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”-56px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet”]James Patterson has been working as an educator in Singapore since 2014 and teaches at LCentral\u2019s Bukit Timah. He has a sound understanding of phonics, and over the years he has helped many children on their journey to becoming independent readers. James understands the pressures and difficulties of the MOE English syllabus and strives to inspire each of his students to reach their potential. He is passionate about the importance of regular reading and the role it can play in the development of young learners\u2019 vocabulary, grammar and writing skills.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It is often said that the US and Britain are two countries separated by a common language, and this separation can cause confusion for young learners in English speaking nations.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4552,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","content-type":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"table_tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nLearn the Differences<\/h1>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ custom_padding=”20px||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” sticky_enabled=”0″]