Summary

We are exchange students from Norway. Emma wants to learn more about culture.

Oxford is one of the fastest growing cities in the world, and it is filled with many different cultures and people, who makes so much more fun to live, learn and study in Oxford.

The school is different from Norway. You have to wear a School uniform, and the have afternoon tea. That is a nice tradition that Emma enjoyed together with her fellow students.  

"for your best, son" ia a novel that Aus M.J talkes about on the blog.

It is about a boy called Leo who change from a state school to a public school. Leos father went to Baverstock public school and he wants his son to go there to.  He also wanted his son to go to a public school just so he could be part of an upper class.

Sonia is 19 years old, exchange student from Norway. She had an amazing experience at a football game that reminded her of a poem she had read at school. The poem was called Hooliganism, which actually described the behavior of street gangs in London back in the 1890s. Now, the word hooligan is described as a violent young troublemaker often associated with sports fans, particularly football supporters.

Aus tells us that Stereotypes often make the first impression of a person or a country.

People all over the world have stereotyped people and the Britons are no exceptions

Typical for the British are that they are old fashioned. They drink afternoon tea and are acting snobbish

Lucy is 19 years old and an exchange student from Norway. On the blog she tells us about her visit to Buckingham palace. She didn’t get but She got new friends there, and they learned her about the Palace.

It is very big, and is decorated with priceless art. It is the official residence of the Queen. She has many guest visiting the palace every year.

The palace is most famous for the ceremony “Changing the guards” that has been a tradition since 1660 when Charles II ruled. The change takes place in front of the castle and is precisely choreographed.

Emmas secong bloggspot  is about class consciousness in England. She think that a lot of them are very aware of their social status. Probably more than many in most countries. A huge survey was done in Britain, and it reveals that there are seven social classes in the UK today.

Aus has a BlogSpot about the British system.

It is complicated.

The British people will always remember the Magna Carta and Emily because they helped define the modern British democrats.

To understand the British government you have to understand the British parliament. In the British parliament there are two houses. There is the upper house (House of Lords), And the Lower house (House of Commons). While the upper part isn’t that important to know how the government work. The lower part however is a lot more important because that’s where all the power is. There are 650 members of the House of Commons (also called for MP) and the British people elect them.

Winston Churchill , Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair are 3 great Prime Ministers that will be remembered throughout history.

Emma tells us bout English music.

England is filled with all different types of music, and for a very long time, England has been a big exporter of music, and has had a huge impact on several genres over time.
Names like The Beatles, The Spice Girls, Pink Floyd and One Direction have been or still are extremely popular, and it is what most people think when they are supposed to describe English music.

British dress code by Sonia.

the British costume that is most known and common for British people are the school uniforms that most schools in England require children to wear. Require children to wear school uniforms have been a highly debated topic for people in Britain and many other countries,

The children liked wearing uniforms. It made their daily life easier.

 by Lucy 

British Dress-Code

 

School Uniforms

England has always had a place in the fashion industry, but in general the British people are not very interested in fashion. They actually spend less money on clothes than people from many other European countries. But clothes, or costumes as you also may say, have been a part of the British culture for a long time. Policemen`s helmets, bob wigs, Scottish kilts and Royal Ascot outfits are all a part of the British image.

 

However, the British costume that I think is most known and common for British people are the school uniforms that most schools in England require children to wear. The uniforms were first introduced during the reign of King Henry VIII. Ever since then it has been a tradition for students in England to wear these uniforms. Each school has its own color and design, but they all consists of a long, grey or black trouser or shorts, a white shirt, a school tie, a jumper or sweater with the schools logo printed on and a pair of black shoes. This is the normal uniform for both boys and girls, but the girls may also wear skirts and summer school dresses.

 

When it comes to wearing school uniforms, people seem to have many different opinions, even the students at school. Require children to wear school uniforms have been a highly debated topic for people in Britain and many other countries, but I have always wondered what the children themselves thought about the situation.

When I and my friends walked down Oxford Street, I spotted some children wearing school uniforms. This was the perfect opportunity to get some answers. Many different thoughts and opinions came up, which was actually quite interesting. Almost half of all children that I asked meant that the school uniform makes it easier for their daily life. They said that because of the uniforms, they don’t have to worry about what to wear each day, that their parents didn’t need to shop for expensive and varied wardrobes so that they could keep up with or show-off to other children, the uniforms makes everyone equal and it also instills a sense of pride and discipline in students.

 

Even though their answers made a lot of sense, I still feel like wearing a uniform denies students their right to personal identity and self-expression. This was not only my opinion, but also the other half of the students that I asked. They meant that wearing the same uniform every day is very boring and it would be fun to finally express who they are through their sense of style. One of them actually said that wearing a uniform every single day makes them feel like they are in a prison.

 

Well, I just hope that all children, and not only in England, but all countries does not get required to wear uniforms in the future. All children should have the right to dress up however they want and show their personal identity.

Royal Enclosure

The Royal Ascot is a big part of Britain culture. It is an occasion where both men and women have to dress formally and follow the Royal Ascot dress-codes.  

At the Royal Enclosure, ladies are required to wear formal daywear, which is defined as following:

·   

-     - Dresses and skirts on a modest length, which means falling just above the knee or longer. 

      - Dresses and tops that have straps on one inch or greater. 

      - Jackets and pashminas may be worn, but the dresses and tops underneath should still comply with the Royal Enclosure dress code.

      - Trouser suits are welcome, but they should be full length and of matching material and colour.
      - Hats should be worn

Gentlemen are kindly reminded that it is a requirement to wear black or grey morning dress, which must include:

  - A waistcoat and tie (no cravats). 
  - A black or grey top hat. 
  - A gentleman may remove his hat within a restaurant, a private box, a private club or that facility’s terrace, balcony or garden. Hats may also be removed within any enclosed external seating area within the Royal Enclosure Garden. The customisation of top hats (with, for example, coloured ribbons or bands)  is not permitted in the Royal Enclosure. 
  - Black shoes.

If there is a girl between the ages of 10-16, she would dress to a formal occasion. Smart summer dresses is very popular, and some of them even wears a hat or a headpiece and fascinators, which is not compulsory.  A boy between the ages of 10-16 would rather dress in accordance with the men`s dress-code, or may wear a dark-coloured lounge suit with a shirt and tie, while overseas visitors  are welcome to wear the formal National Dress of their country or Service Dress.

By: Sonia

Sources:

http://www.ehow.com/about_6601045_interesting-school-uniforms.html#ixzz2vAvPDcAF

http://resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/education/uniform.html

http://www.ascot.co.uk/the-dress-code#SilverRing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niOfBjEhJpQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNvjAJTt2IM

Hey. 

I have earlier written about the school that I attend, which is the University of Oxford, and I've also informed you about class consciousness in England. 
Now, I will write a post that will be all about English music! I will inform on different types of genres and what is and has been popular.

England is filled with all different types of music, and for a very long time, England has been a big exporter of music, and has had a huge impact on several genres over time. 
Names like The Beatles, The Spice Girls, Pink Floyd and One Direction have been or still are extremely popular, and it is what most people think when they are supposed to describe English music. I myself would too! But ever since I moved to England, I have discovered that their music style is very similar to the Norwegian, with some exceptions though. They do listen to genres like R&B, rock and pop, and world known artists like Beyonce, Whitney Houston and Kanye West. 
But what I find lovely about England, is that they have preserved their folk music very well. In the early beginning, the English folk music was actually passed down orally, but in later times, has been written down and recorded like most genres are today. The genre has also contributed to to other musical genres.
And it has also led to different folk genres like electric folk, folk punk and folk metal. Electric rock is a combination of folk and rock which was popular in the 1970s. Folk punk was at it's highest during the 1980s, and is a combination of folk and punk. The latest developed genre was folk metal, which was popular in the 1990s, and includes a wide use of instruments combined different singing styles. 

But like I mentioned earlier, the most popular genres today are the more known ones like pop, rock and R&B, and has many popular artist and groups today singing in either these or similar genres. Artists like Coldplay, Adele, The Wanted and Ozzy Osbourne.

by: Emma

Sources:

http://resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/music.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folk_music_of_England

http://www.england.org.za/england-music.php

The British goverment Aus

whatsup peeps. It have been a few month since a have arrived in nice school. But am still not used to the school uniforms, because from where i come from, there are no school uniforms. I guess it’s for the good, at least i don’t have do worry about witch clothes i have to wear to school anymore. But that isn’t what i m going to talk about. Today i will talk about something i learned in school The British government.

The British system ( it is complicated.)

To understand the British government we have to go back to 1215 when the Magna Carta (English Carta) was issued to England. It contained the power of the monarchy and gave rights to land owners. In the centuries that came the landowners got more and more power including the power of voting. This formed a law making court parliament. In 1882 the middle class people could also start to vote. This left only one group of people left that doesn’t have rights to vote and that was the woman’s. But thanks to Emily Pankhurst the women was finally allowed to vote on the same teams as the men in 1928.

Furthermore the British people will always remember the Magna Carta and Emily because they helped define the modern British democrats. Speaking of women did you know that although the British government is called our majesty’s government, her majesty haven’t saying in anything? This is very similar to the Norwegian government where our king also isn’t a big part in politics.

To truly understand the British government you have to understand the British parliament. In the British parliament there are two houses. There is the upper house (House of Lords), And the Lower house (House of Commons). While the upper part isn’t that important to know how the government work. The lower part however is a lot more important because that’s where all the power is. There are 650 members of the House of Commons (also called for MP) and they are elected by the British people. The elections happen every five years where the people vote for their favorite political person. And they form in to different political parties. But who are the political parties. we got the conservatives partied they are the right wing, Liberal Democrats they are a bit more left wing than the Conservatives, and Labor who is more left wing than the Liberal Democrats. This remains me of the Norwegian system where we also got a right and a left wing except for the wing part we just say right(Hoyre) and left (Vensre). After the Election Day the leader of the party that got most votes become the Prime Minister (PM) and he starts to govern.

Great political Britons

There are many great britians, but there is three Britons that stod out throughout histori:

Winston Churchill.

Winston Churchill was an officer and writer but he is probablybest known as Prime Minister of Britain during World War II. he was one of the most inspirasjonal leader of the history

                                                                                                         Margaret Thatcher (the iron lady)

Margaret Thatcher was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom  from 1979 to 1990 and the Leader of the Conservative Party from 1975 to 1990. She was the longest-serving British Prime Minister of the 20th century. (she won three elections!)

Tony Blair

Tony Blair is most remembered for his bad teeth (just kidding). He is reamebered for creating a new labor. and for secretly kissing Bush. (not)

Sources

British Politics For Dummies (no date) Red 25.03.2014 British goverment easy explained http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/british-politics-for-dummies-cheat-sheet.html

Exept us from Anonymos (14. jan. 2013) Watched 25.03.2014 How the British goverment is seen by some of the British people.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTHS6oCyu6I

British Political History Condensed (4. mai 2010) a short description on about the british goverment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNvtTAgnzRo

Thanks to
http://en.wikipedia.org/
and
http://www.google.no

Class Consciousness in England

Hello.

It's me, Emma. And in this second blog post, I will focus on class consciousness in England. 

Living in Britain has made me realize how a lot of them are very aware of their social status. Probably more than many in most countries. Oxford is an expensive school to go to, and most students have a hard time making enough money to get all the supplements necessary for the following time. So social classes is definitely an current topic, and it has even been brought up in different classes. The fact that I've become a part of this society where classes matter a great deal, is really interesting to me, and therefor, I will write more about it..

But first, I have to explain what class consciousness is. Class consciousness refers to ones awareness of one's own economic or social place in society, or the fact that you feel a connection with those who belong to the same class as oneself. 

I recently read a paper written by Jack Grove for the Times Higher Education, and he stated that a huge amount of British academics are being sidelined because they have an accent. Therefor, many of them change their entire way of speaking because they are tired of being mocked by their colleges. The reason why other academics discriminate their fellow workers with a wider accent is because there is a great social difference in the work place, and according to Michelle Addison (student at Newcastle), the desire by universities to be "elite", forced the academics with accents to speak in a more civilized or push way, just because talking with an accent makes it seem like you are a part of a lower class.

Not too long ago, a huge survey was done in Britain, and it reveals that there are seven social classes in the UK today (which comes as a shock to some because there only used to be three - upper-, middle- and working-class). Over 160 000 people participated in this survey, and they say it is the largest study of classes in the United Kingdom ever. These classes are from Precariat at the bottom, and all the way up to Elite. The reason why they decided to go through with this, was because survey gave a good sense of classes in the 21st Century Britain. In the survey, there are three different capitals they use to find out which class you belong to - economical, cultural and social. 

Take the test for yourself, and find out which class you belong to online at BBC!

Sources:

http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2013/04/04/british-academics-try-hide-regional-accents-study-finds

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22007058

Hello!

My name is Lucy and i am 19 years old. I am an exchange student a year from Norway. I took the British class test and i became an Emergent service worker. This class group is financially insecure, scoring low for savings and house value, but high for social and cultural factors. According to the Great British Class Survey results, lots of people in this group are young, enjoy a culture social life and rent their home – almost 90 present. I live at the school.

I am going to write little bit about me, so you can get know me better. I am kind, sweet, nice and shy girl. My favorite food is sushi and Indian food. At home I am doing athletics and i like to do it. I am not allergic to nothing.

Today I had a good time. I got new friends and we visited the Buckingham Palace. The weather was fine and it was sun the whole day. We didn’t get in, so we just were outside of the building. Since it was nice weather today, it was fine to be outside to look at the palace. Buckingham palace is very nice building. If you never been in London, then you have to see it. Since I never been in London before, my friends learned me about Buckingham palace. They told me the history of the Palace and how it looks like on the inside. Buckingham Palace has 775 rooms. The building is 108 meters long across the front, 120 meters deep and 24 meters high. The palace is decorated with priceless works of art that is part of the Royal Collections. The royal Residences have functioned as the official London residence since 1837. Today it is  the headquarter of the Monarch and it is used for many official events held by the Queen. They have more than 50 000 people visiting the Palace every year as guests. They come to lunches, dinners, and banquets and to the Royal Garden Parties. The State Room in the Palace is open for guided tours for visitors every year when the Queen stays in Scotland. Still the palace is not a museum or a gallery.

The palace is most famous for the ceremony “Changing the guards” that has been a tradition since 1660 when Charles II ruled. The change takes place in front of the castle and is precisely choreographed. It takes about 45 minutes. We were lucky to see the “Changing the guards” when we looked around outside the palace. It was precisely choreographed just as my new friends told me.

 

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckingham_Palace

 

 

 

stereotypes Aus

If you think of a stereotype, you instantly think about its descriptipon or the imagination you have made of it in your head.The images you create are used to recognize both populations and countries, and the stereotypeis then used to gather information. So, the stereotypes often make the first impression of (exemple) a country. This is both positive and negative,because the population is also exposed, which brings us to the question: How do different stereotypes influence the way we see people in England?

 The british stereotype make us look at the british people in a typical way like i heard that all britions wear bowl hats, but all these dayes i have been there i have never seen someone with a bowl hat. what i want to say is that not all stereotypes are true in fact most of them are just products of our imagination, therfor you should always check out the stereotypes orgin and why they where made. stereotypes is often shown in a typical point of view.People all over the world have stereotyped all kinds of people and the Britons are no expeption. Some of the things the Britons are stereotyped with is that they are old fashioned. All they do is to drink tea and eat crumpets acting all snobby
with their posh and that they worship their beloved queen. I think that the main reason we see the british people as we see them is becues we have made an image in our head about how they look like and so on for instans i have alweys thought that a british man would have a coat and a bowl hat and drink tea. In addition i alweys thought that they hate people from Europe (dont know why) even befour I met a british man. this is all things that through years have made a picture of a typical british man.

No matter how you look at it, stereotypes are practically unavoidable. Where ever you go
in this world people have made up their minds of how a specific social group or
types of individuals behave. Most stereotypes are based on facts from diffrent cultures. However, not every statement about britian are true . Being snobby is a typicalthingn about
the Britons, which is connected with how people find Britons form the media and so on,
but that does not change  how it is in the reality. Furthermore could having
bad teeth just be a myth, but the fact that they’re old fashioned and cultural could be true
However, as the Briton Harold Evans once said“Attempting to get at truth means
rejecting stereotypes and clichés” (source is in the bottom of the page)

sources

Stereotype Examples Red 10.03.2014 an exemple of steriotypes in Britain http://examples.yourdictionary.com/stereotype-examples.html

 Red 09.03.2014 the quote http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/stereotypes.html

Aus