Expat Mums Blog

Anglophiles

When I was growing up, history, especially British history (Russian history came in a close second) fascinated me. The Kings and Queens, lines of succession, the customs, the pagentry, the castles, I wanted to know about it all. I had an old book from the 60s or 70s that listed the British Monarchs and gave details about each of their reigns. I read it cover to cover more than once. I did a research paper in 10th grade about Elenore of Aquitaine and was immediately smitten by her. Then I delved into more recent history, Churchill, Thatcher. Oh and Monty Python and Black Adder? Of course! I was a complete Anglophile.

Learning languages

ONE of the things our break back in the UK allowed me to do was to see how much learning a second language has affected the boys ability to speak English. We spent a lot of time with friends who have similar age children and it was interesting for me to compare their English linguistic developments.

Luke appears to have been the most affected. Aged 18 months when we arrived he is now 2 1/2. I've never really heard him say much in Bosnian, but understand from his teachers at nursery that it is at a basic level: Yes, no, won't, don't, mine. In other words all the most useful words for a toddler. His English isn't bad at all, but there is a definite difference between him and his English peers. Having said that, after 5 weeks in the UK where he only heard English led to the most remarkable advances in his language skills. Who knows whether this jump was due to occur anyway, or whether being back in England encouraged it.

Little differences

On Friday I had many inquiries into what English mum's wear to drop off their kids at school.  It would be simple enough to just answer the question.  I think it needs more than that though.  It needs more explaining.  It is a cultural difference that is very subtle yet when it stares you in the face daily it becomes glaringly obvious.

First I should start at the beginning.  American school children go to school generally without uniforms (this is slowly changing throughout the country).  They can wear whatever their parents deem appropriate.  When I was growing up, it was generally a pair of clean jeans, a t-shirt, and a pair of sneakers (trainers).  Here in England, all kids wear uniforms to school.  The uniform consists of a pair of neutral colored trousers (or skirts), a white blouse or polo shirt, and a school jumper (sweatshirt), or school cardigan.

Social invitations in the UK -- how different can it be?

I know what you were thinking. In fact I did it myself almost two decades ago.

"Sure – I’ll relocate. After all they speak the same language don’t they? How different can it be?”

If you’re an American in the UK, you’ll know by now. If you’re an American about to make the leap, take note. Or “Nota Bene”, as the Brits love to say. 

Hopefully, one of the first things you’ll come across are invitations and, as with most things, there are a hundred and one informal “rules”, which also means a hundred and one ways to put your foot in your mouth or cause offence.