Working with British colleagues exhausted me. I was quick to learn that there were many differences in teaching my English and the Cambridge English--which of course, according to the British, was the only correct way. God forbid if you spell color without a “u”. They go all-out superior on you. It was usually best to just keep my mouth shut and not point out things like if you spell colour with a “u” a red squiggly line points out that you’ve spelled (spelt) it incorrectly (see, it's there).
Many misplaced words and different customs warranted half hour "discussions" in the teacher training room. "Discussions" usually consisted of the British enlightening us lesser Americans and if we tried to explain "our way" it just brought on a much louder explanation of the British way.
Just a few of the things I had to learn: British put their groceries in the boot, not the trunk. Americans wouldn’t be caught dead wearing a jumper; but a sweater is fine. The mention of a fanny pack warrants a good British laugh. Chips are fries; but fries are called chips—they’re the same damn thing; except Americans eat them with ketchup. A tray of biscuits are scones. Flap-jacks are granola bars and not a pancake at all—when our colleague mentioned bringing flap-jacks in for breakfast I brought syrup. Yes, co-workers are colleagues. Fancy, eh? And getting pissed is not being upset at all, but you probably shouldn’t drink anymore. In America, you proctor; in Britain you invigilate. The first time I heard we had to invigilate, I wasn't sure I wanted to be a part of it. Until I realized they just meant proctor.
And this was all just the first day!
Many misplaced words and different customs warranted half hour "discussions" in the teacher training room. "Discussions" usually consisted of the British enlightening us lesser Americans and if we tried to explain "our way" it just brought on a much louder explanation of the British way.
Just a few of the things I had to learn: British put their groceries in the boot, not the trunk. Americans wouldn’t be caught dead wearing a jumper; but a sweater is fine. The mention of a fanny pack warrants a good British laugh. Chips are fries; but fries are called chips—they’re the same damn thing; except Americans eat them with ketchup. A tray of biscuits are scones. Flap-jacks are granola bars and not a pancake at all—when our colleague mentioned bringing flap-jacks in for breakfast I brought syrup. Yes, co-workers are colleagues. Fancy, eh? And getting pissed is not being upset at all, but you probably shouldn’t drink anymore. In America, you proctor; in Britain you invigilate. The first time I heard we had to invigilate, I wasn't sure I wanted to be a part of it. Until I realized they just meant proctor.
And this was all just the first day!
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