The document discusses the cultural and geographic frameworks of English-speaking countries. It provides historical overviews of the United Kingdom and United States, noting key events and developments. It also outlines some of the major cultural aspects of each country, including influential inventions. The document emphasizes that language learning should involve understanding the cultural contexts where the language is used. It proposes using cultural elements from English-speaking countries, like holidays and festivals, in language instruction.

1. TOPIC 5. CULTURAL AND
GEOGRAPHIC FRAMEWORK OF
ENGLISH SPEAKING COUNTRIES.
DIDACTIC APPLICATIONS OF
GEGRAPHIC, HISTORICAL, AND
CULTURAL ASPECTS.

2. INTRODUCTION
Nowadays, English is the most widespread
language in the world. English is the dominant
language in the United Kingdom, and as former
British colonies in the United States, Canada,
Australia, New Zealand and Ireland among others.
In other countries/ regions, English is widely used,
even though it is not the dominant language, for
example Hong Kong, Singapore, Nigeria, The
Philippines, and Malaysia.
Language learning can not simply focus on the
development of communicative skills, but must also
foment an understanding of the cultural, historical,
sociological, geographical context in which that
language is used.

4. Historical Framework of the
United Kingdom
• By the year 1000, England and Scotland had
consolidated themselves from many small kingdoms.
• In 1066, Harold II, the last Anglo –Saxon monarch, was
defeated and killed by the Norman conquerors.
• In the 13th century, the principality of Wales became a
part of England.
• From 1649 to 1660, following the War of the Three
Kingdoms, the traditional monarchy was briefly
interrupted by the republican Commonwealth of England.
• In 1707, the kingdom of England and Scotland were
merged to create the Kingdom of Great Britain and, in
1801, the Kingdom of Ireland joined to create the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.
• After World War II, former colonies separated from
Britain and the monarch became “Head of the
Commonwealth”.

5. Cultural Framework of the United
Kingdom
Inventions: the telephone, the internal combustion engine, the jet
engine, television and vaccinations among others.

7. Historical Framework of the United States
• 1607: English settlement established in Jamestown, Virginia.
• 1620: The Pilgrims settled in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
• 1776: The original colonies declared their independence on
July 4th.
• 1787: The United States Constitution.
• 1861 -1865: The Civil War ratified the abolishment of slavery.
• 1898: The Spanish –American War.
• 1917: The US entered in the First World War.
• 1929: The Great Depression started.
• 1941: The Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor. US entered in the
World War II.
• 1947 -1991: The Cold War.
• 1960s: Civil Rights and equal opportunities for African
Americans Movement. Leader: Martin Luther King.
• 2001: Terrorist Attacks of September 11.
• 2008: Barak Obama, the first African American president.

8. Cultural Framework of the United States
The United States of America is one of the world’s most ethnically diverse
and multicultural nations by the waves of immigrants from Europe and Africa,
then Asia and Latin America.
Inventions: the coke and the jeans, the light bulb, the
refrigerator, the microwave oven, the airplane, the
personal computer and the Internet among others.

9. DIDACTIC APPLICATION
• Books, newspapers, handouts, magazine
articles, web pages, holidays, festivities, foods,
music, movies, cartoons, comics, games, radio
or TV shows, commercials, pen pals, etc. involve
cultural components.
• Festivals celebrated in English speaking
countries: Easter, Christmas, Halloween,
Thanksgiving, Guy Fawkes Day, Pancake Day,
July 4th, etc.

10. CONCLUSION
The teaching of sociocultural aspects is
related to cross –curricular elements such
as respect for other cultures, tolerance of
diversity and co-existence.