English speaking countries and
Commonwealth –
an introduction
Simonetta Gatto
Istituto Comprensivo di Casella (GE)
The Commonwealth of Nations
What is it?
The Commonwealth of Nations, usually
known as the Commonwealth, is a
voluntary association of 54 independent
states, most of which are ex British
colonies (except for the United Kingdom
itself, Mozambique and Rwanda).
Its objectives
The Commonwealth is an international
organisation of countries which have
diverse social, political, and economic
backgrounds. They cooperate to
promote democracy, human rights,
individual liberty and world peace.
The Head of the Commonwealth
 Queen Elizabeth II
The first head of the
Commonwealth was her
father George IV.
The title was devised
in 1949.
The headquarters
The headquarters
is Malboughrough
House and it is in
Westminster,
London.
The language of the Commonwealth
The Commonwealth Games
Every four years
the Commonwealth
of Nations organize
a multisport
international event:
the Commonwealth
Games.
Last and next Games
Some sports are not played at the
Olympic games
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Squash
Lawn Bowls
Rugby seven
Netball
Cricket
Seventeen sports
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Aquatics
Athletics
Badminton
Boxing
Cycling
Gymnastics
Hockey
Judo
Lawn Bowls
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Netball
Rugby Sevens
Shooting
Squash
Table Tennis
Triathlon
Weightlifting
Wrestling
The English speaking countries do not
concide with the Commonwealth
How many “Englishes”?
English is one language, but there are
several varieties: the two most
important are:
• BE = British English
• AE = American English
How do British English and
American English differ?
• Vocabulary
• Pronunciation
• Grammar
• Spelling
Vocabulary
Italian
British English
American English
appartamento
ascensore
biscotto
caramella
flat
lift
biscuit
sweet
apartment
elevator
cookie
candy
patatine fritte
patatine (sacchetto)
camion
autostrada
chips
crisps
lorry
motorway
French fries
chips
truck
highway
benzina
metropolitana
film
petrol
underground
film
gasoline
subway
movie
Grammar
BE
AE
Have you got any brothers?
Do you have any brothers?
Spelling
BE
AE
centre
colour
favourite
program
center
color
favorite
programme