Transcript
This is Southall Broadway in West London. This area has one of the largest Asian populations in London. The United Kingdom is an ethnically diverse country with many different communities that reflects the multicultural nature of Britain. Many British people’s families originally come from overseas. Over the centuries, people from around the world have come to live here.
The first significant wave of immigrants arrived by ship from Jamaica in 1948. The Notting Hill Carnival celebrates this Caribbean culture.
In the 1950s and 60s, Indian, Bangladeshi and Pakistani families made Britain their home. Asian Ugandan refugees fled here in the 1970s. Followed by Somalis in the 90s. And in recent years, Eastern European citizens have arrived in search of work.
This cultural variety makes Britain a vibrant place to be, but it’s not without its problems. Conflicts can arise between cultures and generations. Young people whose parents or grandparents settled here have a very different experience of growing up to their parents.
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Sunny Grewel and his father Avinda live in Southall. Avinda came here from Kenya in the 70’s. Sunny was born here.
Nick: Avinda, what was life like when you first came here?
Avinda: It was hard. There was no jobs for, for people like us.
Nick: And what’s life like now, for young people, Sunny?
Avinda: I think we’re very much a part of the communities and government and everything, so it’s a lot more equal for everyone.
Nick: What are the main arguments between the younger and older generations?
Avinda: When they were small, I wouldn’t let him wear these earrings and have a long ponytail. They have to look smart.
Nick: And what’s the best thing about living here, Sunny?
Sunny: The food, the different cultures that come in and bring their spices, their experiences and even their rituals, so you get a taste of the world within this small community.
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In the past, differences between communities have led to violence. But new community-based projects have brought different generations and cultures together.
Here at St Mary’s School in Cardiff in Wales, more than 20 languages are spoken. It’s one of the most multicultural schools in Wales. The school was involved with a project called 'Open Cities'. It helps migrants, people from other countries, become part of the community. The school children took pictures of people and places to show what it's like to live in Cardiff.
Some of the kids are featured in an exhibition called Open Cities Faces.
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Mercy and Joy and their father Derek are originally from Zambia. They have lived here for six years.
Nick: Derek, tell me why you came to Cardiff and why you took part in this project.
Derek: I am an Engineering Consultant. I came to Cardiff because I was offered a job here. This project was a good thing because it was trying to show something positive about migration and integration.
Nick: Why is Mercy photographed by a window?
Derek: Because the photographer wanted to find a way to show the hopes for our future – the better life that we look towards.
Nick: But there’s a lot of shadow in that photograph, as well.
Derek: Yes, the shadow is deliberate to try to show our past, where we’ve come from.
Nick: And do you consider Cardiff to be your home now?
Derek: Yes. We are part of the local community, we have settled down and we think Cardiff is great.
Projects like ‘Open Cities’ can bring people in the community together and give young people hope for the future.
Comments
Hello. Could you please help me?
Which word is correct in the following sentence? Why?
- Accountants help people with their (finances - finance).
I think both of them are correct here, right?
Thank you.
Hello Ahmed Imam,
I'd say 'finances' here, and not 'finance'. 'finances' usually refers to money, but it can also refer to the way someone manages money. 'finance' usually refers to the management of money more than the money itself. In one dictionary entry I saw that 'finance' can also refer to money, but this usage sounds a little odd to me.
All the best,
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team
Hi, team. I'm confused about the difference between "gap" and "hole". For example: - We can see the sky through a (gap - hole) in the roof.
What is the correct word in such a context?
Thank you all in advance
Hello Ahmed Imam,
In general, a gap is a space between two larger objects -- think of, for example, the space between a train and the platform. That space runs the whole length of the train and is the separation between the two objects.
A hole is usually the space inside a single object. A window, for example, is essentially a hole in a wall.
In the case of your sentence, 'hole' is probably the best choice.
Hope this helps.
All the best,
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello. Could you please help me?
What's wrong with the following sentence? Why?
- Before trying on shoes, you should always wear socks.
Thank you.
Hello Ahmed Imam,
I think you need to use the verb 'put on' rather than 'wear'.
When you have a time reference like 'before' you need to refer to a particular action which you could take. You could use 'wear' if the sentence referred to a general state rather than an action:
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello. Could you please help me? Which adjective is correct in the following sentence? How can I use them correctly?
- The Clarence Hotel in Exeter is a (historic - historical) one in England.
Thank you.
Hello Ahmed Imam
There is an explanation of the difference between 'historic' and 'historical' on this Cambridge Dictionary page. Unless I've misunderstood what you mean, 'historic' would be the correct choice here.
All the best
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team
Could you please help me?
I looked up the words "mark" and "stain". However, in the following sentence, I can't decide the difference in usage.
- The bark of the tree had made black (stains - marks) on his trousers.
I appreciate your helping me. Thank you so much.
Hello Ahmed Imam,
'Mark' is a very general word. You can make marks on a page with a pen or on a wall with a stone. The weather can leave marks on clothes and time leaves marks on your face.
'Stain' is more specific. It is usually negative (something you do not want) and it is not just on the outside, but in some way has combined with the material so it is hard to remove. Paint leaves stains on your clothes, for example.
In your example I think 'stain' is probably the best choice.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
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