My host family has been great about teaching me true English culture. After dinner we usually spend two hours talking. My brothers will be excited to know that in order to introduce me to English culture my host family has me watching Monty Python. This is also helpful in understanding inside jokes in the faculty lounge.
My family had me watch the movie Calendar Girls about a group of middle aged woman, belonging to the Women’s League, who pose nude but behind objects for a calender in order to raise charity funds. (Like the scenes in Austin Powers). Apparently the movie was a big hit and the idea of posing nude behind objects caught on to different companies. There were even schools in which the faculty made a similar calender. I don’t think that would ever fly in a US school!!
I have joined the town running club which has been great. It gets dark here around 3:45pm so the large group of us run around town in the dark. At school I have been helping out with the table tennis club. There is nothing better than beating a 13 year old who has given you grief during the day in a ping pong match. On Tuesdays during lunch I have started a basketball club. The first club meeting had a large turn out; it’s a great break during the day.
My favorite English adjectives:
wonky, fancy, saucy, lovely, smashing, crackling, posh