Our context and point of view are essential in creating

connections throughout evolution, space and time

Read the following text. Once you’ve finished reading it, debate with your groups the
following questions or aspects:

Inquire about grammar:

- Identify in the text how routine is expressed in the past in English
- Identify in the text how being accustomed to sth or doing sth is expressed in English
- Identify in the text how having (be in the process) to become accustomed to sth or
doing sth is expressed in English

Inquire about:
- English culture, therefore, its context and point of view, are essential to understand
who they are. Could you make connections between the culture of England and your
own? Why? or why not?
- Could you point out how the culture of England has changed over time?
- Would you find it difficult to get used to the aspects described in the text or are you
already used to them? Why or why not?

In groups, make a brief summary of all your answers. You will have to tell them orally to the
rest of the class.

English culture

The culture of England is defined by the cultural norms of England and the English people.
Owing to England's influential position within the United Kingdom it can sometimes be
difficult to differentiate English culture from the culture of the United Kingdom as a whole.
However, since Anglo-Saxon times, England has had its own unique culture, apart from
Welsh, Scottish or Northern Irish culture.
Many scientific and technological advancements originated in England, the birthplace
of the Industrial Revolution. England has also played an important role in cinema, literature,
music, art, technology, engineering, democracy, philosophy, music, science, mathematics and
sport.
Regarding literature, early authors used to write in Latin, such as Bede, who wrote the
famous Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum. In the Medieval period, writers would write
about two main types of literature: religious and heroic. At the time, reading was an activity
reserved for those of an upper-class and the clergy. Consequently, people were used to
listening to literature instead of reading it. With the coming of the printing press by Johannes
Gutenberg in 1436, books became more common, and people began to get used to reading
and, therefore, they were used to having access to books.
 Another cultural aspect that tends to catch the attention of people is the fact that, in
the 17th century, men would wear wigs. This used to happen because both men and women
would wear them to avoid lice*. Nevertheless, King Louis XIII of France, who was bald,
became a regular user of wigs. As a matter of fact, they became popular, and people in
England got used to wearing wigs so as to be similar to kings.
About religion, people used to be Catholic since Saint Augustine arrived in England
in 597 ad. Nevertheless, and though people were used to Catholicism for almost a
millennium, King Henry VIII decided to separate the English church from Rome in 1534, as
he wanted to get a divorce from Queen Katherine of Aragon, a Spanish monarch who was not
able to grant him with a male heir*. Indeed, Henry VIII would divorce and marry plenty of
times, and people even got used to his abuses.
When it comes to modern traditions or aspects of the English culture, it is undeniable
that people are used to listening to one of the biggest groups ever: The Beatles as well as they
got used to playing football, despite the fact that Cricket is extremely popular there.
To conclude, English culture has seen countless changes and it still remains one of the
most popular ones around the world. Yet, English people are still getting used to the new
technologies and changes that occur daily, such as their departure from the European Union,
an alliance that some seem to have got used to while others, who became a majority, never
were used to.