Multicultural Britain

Notting Hill Carnival grew out of Caribbean traditions. Today, it is an event where all cultures come together. As Nick’s been finding out, the UK truly is multicultural.

Do the Preparation task first. Then watch the video. Next go to Task and do the activity. If you need help, you can read the Transcript at any time.

Preparation

Before you watch

Think about the following questions:

  • Have you ever visited or lived somewhere with a different culture?
  • How multicultural is the place where you live?
  • Is there more immigration to or emigration from your country?

Now, watch the video to find out more about multicultural Britain.

Transcript

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.

.....

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.

.....

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.

.....

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. 

Task 1

Vocabulary Task

Match the words in the box with the descriptions underneath.

Exercise

Task 2

Vocabulary Task

Read the questions and select the correct answers.

Exercise

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Language level

Average: 2.2 (6 votes)
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Profile picture for user Ahmed Imam

Submitted by Ahmed Imam on Mon, 06/12/2021 - 20:33

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Hello. Could you please help me? I have been reading about the difference between "bias", "prejudice", "discrimination" and "stereotype", but I can't tell the difference? For example, I can't choose the correct answer in the following sentence. I think both words are OK, right?
- It is a (prejudice - stereotype) to think that women always do housework.
Please, some clear explanations as you are my reliable source.
Thank you.

Thank you.

Hello Ahmed Imam,

There are some differences.
'Bias' is a preference for one or more options. It's often used to suggest that a person is not being objective but it can simply mean that a person has a preference:
> You gave her a better mark in the exam because she's your sister's friend and you're biased!
> I always choose Italian food if I can. I guess I'm biased because I lived in Bologna for a few years.

'Prejudice' usually means a negative feeling or opinion towards a particular group or type which is not exists outside of any specific situation. For example, someone who hates people of a particular ethnicity, religion or gender is prejudiced.

'Discrimination' is the act of treating one person or group worse than others because of who they are and not giving them a fair chance. If a person is unable to get a job because they live on a particular street with a bad reputation then they are being discriminated against. Discrimination is an act which is caused by some form of prejudice.

A stereotype is an oversimplified image of a particular group which takes certain perceived characteristics and exaggerates them. Stereotypes are often negative and used for mockery. When people use stereotypes they are not treating people as individuals.

In your sentence, I think 'prejudice' is the best choice because you are describing a belief. Strictly speaking, 'stereotype' would describe the view of women itself, not the process of thinking:
> It is a stereotype that women always do housework.

However, people often use these words in ways which blur the boundaries between thought, action and image.

Peter
The LearnEnglish Team

Profile picture for user Ahmed Imam

Submitted by Ahmed Imam on Sat, 05/06/2021 - 21:33

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Hello. Could you please help me with the following question: - The printer has been broken for a week so she couldn't have printed out the report. That means..... a- we draw the conclusion that she did not do it b- perhaps she had the possibility but she didn't do c- we know it was impossible for her to do it. d- she didn't think about printing the report. Thank you.

Hello Ahmed Imam,

I think both (a) and (c) are accurate here. Couldn't have in the original sentence tells us that it was not possible for her to print the report, so (c) is clearly true. Once we know that, (a) becomes also true as it is the only logical conclusion.

 

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

Profile picture for user Ahmed Imam

Submitted by Ahmed Imam on Wed, 02/06/2021 - 10:06

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Hello. Could you please explain the difference between the following two sentences? - Tomorrow, you can eat free. - Tomorrow you can eat freely. Thank you.

Hello Ahmed Imam,

Meaning is highly context-dependent, but in general the first one means you can eat without paying for the food and the second one means you can eat whatever you want (for example, if you're following a diet that restricts what you can eat most of the time, but not tomorrow).

All the best,

Kirk

The LearnEnglish Team

Profile picture for user Ahmed Imam

Submitted by Ahmed Imam on Sat, 22/05/2021 - 18:02

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Hello. Could you please help me? Which one is correct or both are? Why? - Bring me something to drink (other - rather) than coffee, please? Thank you.

Hello Ahmed Imam,

Both are grammatically possible, but something other than is a frequent collocation and this is the best (most natural-sounding) option for this context.

 

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

Profile picture for user Ahmed Imam

Submitted by Ahmed Imam on Wed, 12/05/2021 - 10:22

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Hello. Is the following sentence has the correct preposition? - Pancakes are always made of flour, egg and milk. Thank you.