GREAT BRITAIN (UNITED KINGDOM)

I. Overview

1.Countries: England, Sotland, Wales, Northern Ireland.

2.The flags: Union Jack (England, Scotland and north Ireland)-adopted on 1, Jan, 1801

The Union Jack is made up of three crosses.( bao gồm các thánh bảo hộ chữ in nghiêng)

• The upright red cross is the cross of St George, the patron saint of England.

• The white diagonal cross is the cross of St Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland.

• The red diagonal cross is the cross of St Patrick, the patron saint of north Ireland

3.Cost of arms (huy hieu): of British monarch, currently Queen Elizabeth II ( goden lion, silver
unicorn, Tudor rose, shamrock, thistle)

+The Royal Arms of England symbolizes and its monarch

4.Total = 244,100 square kilometers

+70% agriculture

+13% urband development

+7% wasteland

+10% forest, woodland

Coastline = 30,000 kilometers long

Main areas of highland in Scotland & Wales

Highest mountain: Ben Nevis with 4,409 feet

Longest river: Severn with 220 miles

5.The weather: greatly variable(mild climate) summer, winter, spring and autumn. The
geographical position of the British Isles within latitudes 50o to 60o N is a basic factor in
determining the main characteristics of the climate.

+In April and May these areas experience refreshing sea breezes as cool dry air from the North Sea
push back the more usual and damper westerly winds.

6.Symbols:

+V-sign is a rude gesture which is made by sticking up your first two fingers in a V shape, with the
palm of your hand facing you

+British Bulldog

+Red Telephone Box

+The Double-decker Bus

7.Religions: A multi-faith in society

+Christianity :main religion,

And Muslim, Sikh, Hindus and Jew,

-Bad luck: Walk under a ladder, Break a mirror, Put a hat on the bed, Put new shoes on a table, see
one magpie, lucky to see two, etc.., spill salt. If you do, you must throw it over your shoulder to
counteract the bad luck, open an umbrella in doors. The number thirteen is unlucky. Friday the
thirteenth

-Good luck : black cat, touch wood, clover plant with four leaves, horseshoe, Catch falling leaves in
Autumn, say "white rabbits, white rabbits white rabbits," before uttering your first word of the day,
Cut your hair when the moon is waxing and you will have good luck, Putting money in the pocket
of new clothes brings good luck.

II. Education in UK

1. Types of school( homeschooling, schooling: state, independent-public)

a. Public school(private school)

◉ For boy only from the age of thirteen onwards

◉ Take fee-paying pupils

◉ Are boarding schools

◉ Make some of the senior boys “prefects”

◉ Emphasis on team sports

◉ Enforce their rules with the use of physical punishment

◉ Have a reputation for a relatively great amount of homosexual activity

◉ Are not at all luxurious or comfortable

 NO LONGER FITS THE FACTS

School: HARROW SCHOOL, WINCHESTER COLLEGE,

b. State school

-Schools that are paid for by the government have to follow the national curriculum.

-The majority of children go to this kind of school.

-There are three terms: (1/1, 1/4, 1/9)

-Có 4 cấp học tương ứng như trong bảng .

2. EXAMS: SIXTH FORM ( >=16 years old)

*GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) dành cho hs muốn vào đại học

-Taken by most fifteen-to-sixteen-year-olds in England, Wales and Northern Ireland

-Marks for each subject separately

-Marks are graded from A to G

( In UK , students takes “O” level examination to get GCSE)

* A Levels = Advanced Levels

- Higher-level academic exams

- Taken mostly by people around the age of 18

- At least in 3 subjects

- A-levels are graded from A to E

*AS-Levels
= Advanced Supplementary Level

-An examination that is taken by students (England and Wales) after finishing GCSE.

- 3 or 4 same subjects after A/S level to complete A level

*SCE = Scottish Certificate of Education.

- The Scottish equivalent of GCSE.

- These exams set by the Scottish Examination Board.

- Grades are awarded in numbers (1 = the best)

=>SCE “Higher”= The Scottish equivalent of A-levels.

*GNVQ = General National Vocational Qualification

- Courses and exams in job-related subjects

-They are divided into five levels:

 + the lowest: equivalent to GCSE/ SCE

+ the third: equivalent to A-Levels/ SCE ‘Higher’

3.QUALIFICATION

DEGREE- A qualification from a university ( other qualifications obtained after secondary

education) are usually called “certificate” or “diploma”

DOCTORATE

- The highest academic qualification

-Carry the title PhD ( = Doctor of Philosophy)

-The time taken to complete a doctorate varies

* Chính trị nước Anh

+ Thể chế chính trị nước Anh
THE UNITED KINGDOM- A CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY
 A monarchy (with wueen Elizabeth II as head of state)
 A parliamentary democracy (with parliament as the legislative organ)
+ Vai trò của Thủ tướng VÀ Nhà vua/ nữ hoàng
The Queen coronation was on the 2nd June 1953
 The role of monarchy:
+ limited power
+ focus on national unity
+ to be consulted and give “advise and warn” to ministers
+ politically neutral
+ symbolic than practical
 The role of parliament: (The British Parliament works in Palace of Westminster ( The
Houses of Parliament). It is divided into two “houses”: The House of Commons and the
House of Lords)
+ The role of the House of Commons:
 Debate on a particular proposal (framing a new law, approving government plans to raise
taxes…)
 Take vote for or against that proposal or sometimes express viewpoint
 Examine particular proposals for laws, investigate the activities of government
+ The role of the House of Lords:
  Legislation
Introducing legislation
Defeating and delaying legislation:
- To become law the text of a Bill must be agreed by both House.
Royal Assent:
- when a Bill is given Royal Assent, it becomes an Act of Parliament
 CHECKING THE WORK OF THE GOVERNMENT
Questions:
- Questions to government ministers may be answered orally of in writing.
- The Prime Minister answers questions every Wednesday.
Debate:
- Debates in the Commons look at national and international issues and can be on any subject.
Brexit : 52 % ủng hộ
- Năm bắt đầu: từ 2016
- Nguyên nhân:
Pay high contribution, refugee crisis, …
- Hậu quả
The UK economy is expected to decline in the next 5 years. Great Britain may suffer losses of up to
£ 100 billion (5% GDP), a 20% depreciation of the pound, loss of commercial finance, millions of
job losses due to businesses leaving the UK.
- Một số nét tiêu biểu của nước Anh
+ Gia đình (Family)
Family type Family Member
Nuclear/ Conventional Mum, Dad, Brothers, Sisters
Lone Parent One parent and children
Extended Grandparents/ Aunts…
Couple No children
Reconstituted Lone parent family + new
Same-sex couples/ families Gay couple/ with children

+ Tính cách/ thái độ sống người dân Anh (Attitudes)

Changes because the results of changes society
 Increase in divorce
 People living longer
  Society more acceptable
 Increase in lone parent family
 More women working
 Attitudes changed toward mariage
 Religion less important
Ex: Women are seen as equal to men, and therefore be treated fairly.
- Independent
- Puntuality
- Avoid asking private questions
- Often say: excuse me, please, thank you, sorry
+ Tình yêu động vật (Love for animals)
Britain is a nation of animal lovers
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Great Britain (Royal SPCA)
 the world’s oldest western-style animal advocacy organization (1824)
 Animal Laws
Ex: British pet owners spend around 3.5 billion pounds a year on pet care and products.
Wildlife programs are by far the most popular kinds of television documentary.
+ Ẩm thực (Food/ Cuisine)
Usual breafast

 Milk and cereal

 Toast with jam or marmalade
 Fruit juice, coffee
 Bacon, egg, sausage , tomato and fried bread
Lunch: 12:00 – 1p.m

 Sandwich
 Snack
Dinner

 Meat or fish
 Vegetables
 Pizza
 Pasta
 ĐỀ CƯƠNG: VĂN HÓA MỸ

1. Quốc kì, quốc huy

1.1. Quốc kì

- the 13 stripes represent the thirteen original colonies, thirteen equal horizontal stripes: 7 red
bars (brave and enthusiasm) and 6 white ones (hope).
- The 50 stars on the flag on the top left-hand corner represent the 50 states of the United
States of America - in the blue background (heaven, god, justice)
- The flag of the United States of America is called “ The Stars and Stripes”
1.2. Quốc huy (Coast of arms): Great Seal of the US-Federal government of the US
- On the top of the eagle is a jewelry ring that symbolizes the prosperity of America + 13 stars
- In front of the eagle's chest are 13 alternating red and white stripes representing the first 13
states of the US.
- The right foot is 13 arrows to symbolize the heroic spirit to overcome all enemies.
- The prominent symbol on the national emblem of the United States is a white-headed eagle
that wants to fly.
- The left foot is laurel wreath symbolizing peace and triumph.
- The coat of arms was formally approved by Congress in 1782.
2. Geographical (Địa lí)
- Tổng S: 10.8 million, trong đó diện tích của đất liền là trên 3 million
- Border with Canada, Mexico
- 50 states:
+ 48 contiguous states (48 bang lục địa)
+ Alaska is in the far northwestern part of North America (the largest state of the US -
1.723.337 km2)
+ Hawaii is an archipelago in the mid-Pacific (the youngest state-was established 21/8/1959)
+ Delaware is the oldest state (07/12/1787)
+ Rhode Island is the smallest state: 400 km2
- Longest river: Missouri (3767 km)
- Highest mountain: Denali (9140m)
- 5 Great lakes: Superior, Michigan, Oranto, Huron, Erie
- Climate diverse:
+ sub-tropical: in the southern of the US
+ tropical: in Hawaii and Florida
 + polar jet stream
3. Outstanding historical events
3.1. Assimilation and Immigrant process
a. Assimilation process (quá trình đồng hóa): assimilated into America society
- 1st generation: were not willing to give up their language and culture
- 2nd generation: they spole English and practiced fewer ethnic tradition
- 3rd: not able to speak the language of their grandparent.
- 4th or 5th generation: inter marriage

- National anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner (1931-adopted)

- National language: English
- Second language: Tây Ban Nha
- No official language
- The largest city: New York
- Capital: Washing ton D.C
4. Politics

a, (US Political Institutions)Thể chế chính trị của nước mỹ: The United States is a federal
republic in which the president, Congress and federal courts share powers reserved to the national
government, according to its Constitution.

b, Form of goverment: The US is a representative democracy ( Uk: Constitutional of monarchy)

c, Polictical system:
-the number of the House of Representatives (ha vien) 435 people

+ Nancy Patricia Pelosi - 52nd Speaker of the United States House of Representatives.

- the US Senate includes

+ head : Michael Richard Pence - 48th Vice President of the United States

+100 people (2 from each of 50 states)

d, The role of president:

- The head of state and head of government of USA

- Appoint members of the Cabinet, Supreme Court justices and federal judges.
- Oversee foreign policy and domestic policy
- -Direct the executive branch
- The commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces
- Make sure that all U.S. laws are carried out & the federal government is run effectively
e, Các đảng cầm quyền:

- Republican:

started in 1854

hold a majority in the senate.

Abraham Lincoln, Richard Nixon, Donald Trump

 is identified as conservative

- Democratic

• Founded in 1792

• has the most seats in the  House of Representatives( 235/435)

• John F. Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama

• modern liberalism advocates social and economic equality, along with the welfare state.

5. Holidays
a. New Year’s day,
+ New Year Eve : fire work displays, The ball drop at Times Square in NY city,
Countdown to New Year, Parties
+ New Year tradition: eat Hoppin’ John; “Ano Viejo” in South America
b. Martin Luther King day “I have a dream”: third Monday of January (15/1)
c. President’s day: Third Monday in February ( February 12& February 22)
Celebrate to honor the United States presidents:
+ George Washington’s birthday ( 12th February)
+ Abraham Lincoln’s birthday (22nd February)
- Many stores have major sales on this day.
d. Memorial day: Last Monday in May (30/5)
+ It is the first holiday in the year after
New Year’s Day.
+ In many northern states, swimming pool
open in this day (before that it is too cold to swim).
+ Memorial Day commemorates Americans who fought for the country and died in
wars.
 + The famous “Indianapolis 500” auto race is held on Memorial Day in Indianapolis.
+ Many people travel on this long weekend.
e. Columbus day:
+ the second Monday of October. (12/10)
+ Columbus Day is celebrated in the United States to honor Christopher Columbus’s
first voyage to America in 1492.
+ Columbus actually discovered America on October 12th, 1942
f. Veteran’s day:
+ November 11
+ It honor the veterans who fought for America in various wars.
g. Thanksgiving: The fourth Thursday of November. (28/11)
- It originated as a harvest festival.
- Thanksgiving has been celebrated nationally on and off since 1789, with a proclamation by
George Washington
- Families and friends get together for a meal
- Traditional meals include a roast turkey, stuffing, potatoes, vegetables, cranberry sauce,
gravy, and pumpkin pie.
h. Christmas day: December 25
- The festive season traditionally begins on the fourth Thursday in November, just after the
Thanksgiving holiday.
- Kids of American families love to treat Santa with the foods they like a lot, that is; milk and
some cookies. They may even leave some carrots for the reindeer
6. The Educational System
- System :Elementary school, Middle school, High school, Post-secondary
Education
- Types: public school, private-school,home schooling.
- Funding from the state, local and federal goverment
- Compulsory: start 5-8 age, end 16-18age depending on the state