The US and UK share English, but differ significantly in vocabulary, spelling, and usage.
Before Listening Activity
Listen and choose the best answer: (A2+)
What do these words have in common?
- They are all derived from Latin.
- They are American loanwords imported into British English.
- They are British loanwords imported into American English.
Why are some words spelled differently in American English?
In the 1800s, American spelling began to diverge from that of British English.
You are going to hear about the key figure in this change – the lexicographer and teacher Noah Webster.
- Which word do you not expect to hear?
- typesetter
- academy
- teacher
- northern
- laugh
Skim Listening (B1):
- What did Noah Webster do?
- Why did he do it?
Listening comprehension: True or False?
- Noah Webster created the first dictionary.
- Webster wanted more phonetic spelling.
- Some of Webster’s spelling changes did not survive.
- Webster made typesetting more difficult.