Over the last year or so, Macmillan Dictionary (for whom I write a column on language) published 11 videos and blog posts in a series titled Real World English. I wrote the video scripts, which were then revised by the editors, jazzed up by the graphics team, and presented by Ed Pegg of the London School of English.
Like the dictionary itself, this material is aimed at English-language learners but may be of use or interest to others too. Its focus is on dialect differences in the workplace, mainly UK/US. The entries focus on vocabulary (greetings, education, holidays, etc.) or pragmatics (irony, directness, politeness, etc.). The introductory video gives the gist:
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You can access all 11 videos and blog posts (plus video scripts) on this page, or you can use the playlist above. Each clip is 2–3 minutes long, and the whole series comes in under 30 minutes. Real World English follows the popular Real Grammar and Real Vocabulary series of previous years. I hope you enjoy it.
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Stan, I noticed that the video called “Greetings in English” is different than the others in that it lacks a full screen button, and when the video is complete it immediately starts into the next video in the series. Also, it lacks a button to take to to Youtube. None of the other videos have these problems. Thought I’d pass that on.
Thanks, Charles. I wonder if it has something to do with the browser or device being used to view them, as the problem doesn’t appear on my side. I embedded a playlist rather than a single-video URL above, so each video should automatically cue up the next. I’ll check with others in the meantime.
[…] In US English it extends to higher education, as in Wilson’s line here. The Real World English series I wrote for Macmillan Dictionary discussed this difference […]