Научно-исследовательская работа «Cultural studies in teaching English»
Муниципальное бюджетное общеобразовательное учреждение
средняя общеобразовательная школа № 3 с. Серафимовский
муниципального района Туймазинский район
Исследовательская работа
Cultural studies in teaching English
номинация : лингвистика
( английский язык)
Выполнила: Халиуллина Лилия Шамилевна,
учитель английского языка 1 категории
Туймазы, 2016
Content
Introduction 3
Cultural competence 4
The review of the textbooks 5
Methods of teaching cultures 7
Conclusion 11
The list of used literature 12
Appendices
Introduction
A foreign language is a language of education. That’s why the content of education is important. How can we teach a foreign language without knowledge of spiritual sources and cultural realities of native speakers?
The answer is obvious: we, teachers, can’t do it. Because learning a foreign language has to be related with the culture of foreign countries.
The idea of teaching a language through culture is not new to English teachers. But the world in which we live requires people who can communicate effectively in English and who have related cultural understanding.
That’s why the purpose of my research paper is to define the role and place of cultural studies at the English lessons.
The tasks are :
1.to study the literary sources concerning teaching cultural study;
2.to analyze the textbooks of English;
3.to present the methods of using the materials on cultural study at the English lessons and at out-class work.
The object : the use of cultural study in teaching English.
The subject : methods best suited to the teaching of cultures.
The hypothesis : the use of cultural content will foster learner motivation.
The topicality of the work: Culture study is highly important in teaching English because a language is a part of culture and culture is a part of a language.
The work, dealing with the problem of teaching cultural studies of English- speaking countries, consists of an introduction, two chapters, a conclusion, a list of used literature and appendices.
1 . Cultural competence
The main function of the English language is the formation of communicative
competence . And one of the tasks is the development of sociocultural competence.
Sociocultural competence is the increase of knowledge about sociocultural features of English-speaking countries, the improvement of ability to construct verbal and non- verbal behavior following these features, the formation of the skills to distinguish general and specific facts in the culture of Russia and English- speaking countries.
So, the teachers have following tasks:
to promote learning of sociocultural features about English-speaking countries;
to broad cultural outlook;
to develop social students’ social skills;
to increase the level of understanding the importance of culture;
to increase the level of personal motivation for learning English;
to form psychological readiness to communication with people of English- speaking countries;
to stimulate intellectual development and cognitive activity;
to improve the skills of working with information, media , a computer;
to form speech tact and cultural tolerance.
The teaching of cultural study includes such components :
Lingua -cultural component ( knowledge of realities and ability to use them, knowledge of background information, idioms, proverbs);
General knowledge of the country;
The material of the textbooks.
Cultural study includes way of life, political system, geography, customs , traditions.
The use of cultural materials can help teachers to keep interest for learning English. And it can be a good motivation tool.
2. The review of the textbooks
This year I am working with the textbooks of Kaufman K. ( 8,9,11 forms) and Biboletova M.Z. (6 form).
The main specific character of the textbooks “Happy English.ru” is their sociocultural and educational purpose. The authors K.Kaufman , M.Kaufman consider these two positions as interdependent. They interpret sociocultural competence as the scientists V.V.Safonova and E.N.Sokolova. So, the authors inform the students about English-speaking countries and form a primary idea of these countries.
According to the authors sociocultural competence is considered as the ability :
to find general and specific facts in the models of development of English-speaking countries and a native country during different periods;
to find, compare and generalize cultural information from different sources;
to construct speech in an oral and written form according accepted rules of different cultures and specific features of a spoken situation.
The distinctive features of the textbooks:
-the students don’t only learn cultural study of English-speaking countries but they analyze cultural features of history, way of life and compare them with ones of Russia;
-during reading and listening students develop their skills to analyze, compare, give reasons, sum up information;
-during writing and speaking students learn rules of politeness, writing and speaking rules;
-students are suggested to systematize cultural knowledge.
The main position of the authors is the perception by Russians of cultural knowledge through the culture of English-speaking countries. The abbreviation ru
( from Russia) means that the textbook is of the third millennium, the century of computer technologies. It reflects modern tendencies in learning English. The textbooks are created especially for Russian schools and considerate the mentality of a Russian teacher and student.
The contents of the textbooks was carefully chosen. The material of the textbook “Happy English.ru-8” presents cultural information of Great Britain
( political system, famous people, history, English newspapers, English writers).
The textbook “Happy English.ru-9” gives information about the USA (American cities and states, American presidents , American historical events).
The textbook “Happy English.ru-11” gives general information about cultural study of English-speaking countries. ( Higher education in Great Britain and the
USA, choosing a job). Each unit of the book begins with epigraphs and the students have to predict what the units are going to be about.
The textbook “Happy English.ru-8” has got authentic texts on English history: Norman conquest, the fight of Scotland for its independence, Tudor rule.
The textbook “Happy English.ru-9” presents authentic texts on American history : Plymouth colony, the history of Thanksgiving Day.
The textbook “ Enjoy English-5-6” gives information about Great Britain : education in English schools, sights of London, famous people, English food, national parks of England, British holidays. The textbook contain real letters, articles from school newspapers, real questionnaires from children’s newspapers and magazines, extracts from books, poems, advertisements, school timetable , a menu and recipes. This textbook is well illustrated and has got a cultural guide.
I was interested how many proverbs the textbooks contain. The examination of the four textbooks has resulted in 24 findings of proverbs. The textbook “Happy English.ru-8” contains 2 proverbs. The textbook “Happy English.ru-9” has got 4 proverbs. The textbook “Happy English.ru-11” has got 7 proverbs. The textbook “Enjoy English 5-6” contains 11 proverbs. ( See app.1)
3.Methods of teaching cultures
During my work I have noticed that my students don’t know enough about cultural study of English-speaking countries. I’m sure that the success of my students in learning English is related on how they view the culture of the language they are learning. That’s why I try to practice different cultural based tasks and exercises during lessons and out-of- class work. I’d like to present some of these cultural based activities.
1.Use of proverbs.
My first helpers are English proverbs.
For example I use them at the beginning of the lesson to introduce a new topic.
In the 6th form we have a topic “ Talking about famous” ( Unit 5, section 2). I began the lesson with the proverb “ A good name is better than riches”.
In the 8th form I began the lesson “ How to choose a good book” ( Unit 6 , lesson 4) with the proverb “ Tell me what you read and I will tell you what you are”.
So, the proverbs help to lead a discussion at the beginning of the lessons.
The proverbs also help me to improve students’ pronunciation during phonetic activities.
The sound [ w] : Where there is a will there is a way.
The sound [n] : The proof of the pudding is in the eating.
The sounds [ ] ,[ ] : He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth.
The regular use of the proverbs for phonetic exercises gives a positive result in the correction of phonetic skills.
I use proverbs to teach some grammar rules.
In the 6th form we learn Present Perfect. I use the proverb “ Whatever a man has done , a man can do” during the introduction of the tense. And then I suggest my students to do an exercise:
Use the Present Perfect of the verbs in the parentheses and match the English proverbs with Russian equivalents :
The mountain (bring) forth a mouse.
When children stand quiet, they ( do) some harm.
In the 8th form when we study Passive voice I use such proverbs as “Rome was not built in a day”, “ What is done cannot be undone”.
In the 11th form when we study Participles I, II I suggest to do such exercise.
Fill in the missing Participles I,II in the proverbs. Choose from the following:
foreseen, saved, creaking, burnt, broken, drowning and then match English
proverbs with Russian equivalents.
7
A …child dreads the fire.
A ….man will catch at a straw.
A …… friendship may be soldered, but will never be sound.
A danger… is half avoided.
A penny….is a penny gained.
A …..door hangs long on its hinges.
So, proverbs help to illustrate grammar rules at the stage of their presentation and during training exercises.
I use proverbs to get a bigger vocabulary of my students.
In the 11th form when we have the topic “ Living on campus” I usually organize a discussion using such proverbs as “ Between friends all is common”, “ Be slow in choosing a friend, but slower in changing him”, “ Faithful friend is a medicine of life”.
In the 8th form when we have the topic “ Reading books” I suggest my students to do such exercise :
Match the first and the second halves of these proverbs:
1.Don’t judge a book a) as you choose a friend.
2. There is no friend b) what exercise is for the body.
3. Reading is to the mind c) by its cover.
4. A room without books is like d) a body without a soul.
5. Choose an author e) as faithful as a good book.
I also use the activities with proverbs during out-of-class work. Children like to illustrate English proverbs. This year during the decade of the English language we’ve had a competition on the best illustration of proverbs.
So, proverbs play an important role in language teaching as a part of gaining cultural knowledge, communicative competence.
2.Matching activities
The task for the students is to recognize matching items, or to complete pairs or sets.
1) Match holidays and the dates
For example in the 9th form when we study American holidays:
Christmas a)14th March
Flag Day b) 31st October
St.Patrick Day c) 14th February
St.Valentine’s Day d) 4th Thursday of November
Columbus Day e) 31st October
6) Independence Day f) 12th October
8
7) Halloween g) 17th March
8)Thanksgiving Day h) 25th December
2) Match the sights of London
For example in the 6th form when we study London:
1. Bloody a) Palace
2. Westminster b) Square
3. Buckingham c) of Parliament
4. Trafalgar d) Tower
5. The Houses e) London
6. The Tower of f) Abbey
3) Match the actors and actresses with films ( See app.2)
The topic about Hollywood really interested my students and they liked this activity.
Questionnaires or quizzes
A quiz is an effective exercise and moreover it doesn’t take a lot of time.
For example , in the 9th form when we study New York I suggested a quiz on New York. During the topic “ Washington D.C.” I also prepared a quiz. ( See app.3) Quizzes facilitate the work because I can control my students’ knowledge quickly.
Project works
The main idea of this method is based on teaching students through their research activities and stimulating their personal interest. The students present their projects in different variants: tables, crosswords, presentation, written report.
This year we’ve had such projects : “ Famous people of English- speaking countries” ( 8th form), “ American food” ( 9th form), “ The university of my dream” ( 11th form)
During the lesson “ My family tree” we’ve made a family tree of the English Queen.
Use of a supplementary material.
Apart of the material of the textbooks I use a supplementary material : illustrations, texts for reading, pictures, maps, computer presentations.
I use some reference books at my work.
A cultural reference book. “ English- speaking countries “ by A.V.Sheremetyeva. The author introduces in detail the cultural material
(information about geography, history, sights, cultural and social life of English-speaking countries ). The book also has a CD- disc.
9
A cultural reference book “ Pilot one “ by K.B. Vasiliev. This book contains
thematic texts, winged expressions, biographies of famous British people, information on realities , phenomena and political system of the UK.
The textbook “ The world of Britain” for 10-11 forms ( profound learning of English) by V.N. Bogoroditskaya and L.V. Khrustalyova.
The content of this book is very useful for me. Each text is followed by series of exercises.
In addition to the practical part of the work I made two cultural dictionaries for the textbooks “ Happy English.ru-8” and “Happy English.ru-9”. These dictionaries contain background information of the contents of the textbooks and can be used as a reference for the students. ( See app.4,5)
Conclusion
I’ve tried to explain what cultural studies are, I’ve given a review of English textbooks and other material used. So, I think I’ve encouraged other teachers of English to include cultural studies into their work.
The use of cultural material is not an entertainment, it’s a part of educational process. It’s the fact that a language and culture are inseparable. The application of the cultural based activities influences the results of English teaching. We all want to have bright students and the cultural studies will help us. That’s why it’s important to include cultural studies into English teaching.
And at last, understanding another’s traditions and customs and comparing that with one’s own can lead to a better understanding of the world cultures.
The list of used literature
1.Апальков В.Г. Развитие субъекта учебно- воспитательного процесса средствами иностранного языка как цель обучения иностранному языку //Английский язык. 1 сентября.-2009.-№ 17.-С.19-28.
2. Биболетова М.З., Трубанева Н.Н. Книга для учителя к учебнику “ Enjoy English-5-6”- Обнинск: Титул, 2008.-64с.
3. Кауфман К.И., Кауфман М.Ю. Книга для учителя к учебнику “Happy English.ru-9” – Обнинск: Титул, 2008.- 48с.
4. Мирошниченко А.Л. Цели и задачи обучения английскому языку // Английский язык. Все для учителя.-2013.-№ 9.- С.24-29,32.
5.Писаренко Т.И.Использование квиза при работе с текстами страноведческого характера // Иностр. Языки в школе.-1998.-№ 8.-С.35-36.
6.Сафонова В.В.Культуроведение в системе современного языкового образования // Иностр.языки в школе.-2001.-№ 3.-С.17-23.
Appendix 1
Proverbs in the textbooks
“Enjoy English-5-6”
1.Actions speak louder than words.
2.After dinner sleep a while, after supper walk a mile.
3.A good name is better than riches.
4,All work and no play make Jack a dull boy.
5.A man is known by the company he keeps.
6.Appetite comes with eating.
7.East or west home is best.
8.Every country has its customs.
9. He who makes no mistakes, makes nothing.
10.Live and learn.
11. Take care of the pennies and they will take care of themselves.
“ Happy English.ru- 8”
1.Bad news travels fast.
2. No news is good news.
“ Happy English.ru-9”
1.An apple a day keeps a doctor away.
2. Clothes make the man.
3. Good health is above wealth.
4. Never judge a book by its cover.
“ Happy English.ru-11”
1.Don’t take as gold everything that shines like gold.
2.Every man is the architect of his own fortune.
3.I’ll either find a way or make one.
4. It’s no use crying over spilt milk.
5. Know yourself.
6. There is no goodness in being better than the worst.
7. Through difficulties to the stars.
Appendix 2
Matching activity
Match the names of films and actors
1.Johnny Depp c) “The mask of Zorro”
2.Robert De Niro b) “ Armagedon”
3. Leonardo DiCaprio j) “Rocky”
4.Tom Cruise f) “ Mission impossible”
5. Jim Carrey d) “ The Matrix””
6. Sylvester Stallone k) “ Pretty woman”
7. Antonio Banderas g) “ Pirates of the Caribbean”
8. Richard Gere a) “ Taxi driver”
9. Keanu Reeves h) “ Titanic”
10. Bruce Willis i) “ Bruce Almighty”
Match the names of films and actresses
Julia Roberts a) “ Titanic”
Jessica Alba b) “ The Fifth element”
Cameron Diaz c) “ Pretty woman”
Barbra Streisand d) “ Funny girl”
Kate Winslent e) “ Shakespeare in love”
Nicole Kidman f) “ My best friend’s wedding”
Angelina Jolie g) “ Moulin Rouge”
Milla Jovovich h) “ Dark angel”
Gwyneth Palthrow i) “ Cyborg 2”
Appendix 3
Quiz “ The USA”
1.The capital of the USA is…… New York Washington D.C.
2.Washington D.C. is on…… the Hudson the Potomac
3.Washington D.C. is in ….. the District of Columbia in the state Virginia
4. George Washington was …. President of the USA.
the second the third the first
5.George Washington ….in the White House. lived didn’t live
6.The Washington Monument looks like an……obelisk. American Egyptian
7.The Smithsonian Institution is a group of… monuments museums parks
8.You can see space rockets in .. the Smithsonian American History Museum
the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
9.Abraham Lincoln was …president of the USA.
the first the sixteenth the fifteenth
10.Abraham Lincoln was ….slavery. for against
11.Thomas Jefferson was…. American president. the first the second the third
12.There is Jefferson….. in Washington D.C. Monument Memorial
13…….wrote a big part of the Declaration of Independence.
G.Washington A.Lincoln T.Jefferson
14.The Lincoln Memorial has …columns. thirty -four thirty- six thirty- five
15.The Capitol is on …. Capital Park Capital Hill Capitol Hill
16.The FBI Building is in…. New York Washington D.C.
17.The Museums of the Smithsonian Institution are … free not free
18.Thomas Jefferson was born in … 1943 1743 1746
19.Washington D.C. is…. an industrious not an industrious …. city.
Appendix 4
Cultural dictionary ( “Happy English.ru-9)
|
A(the) Ambassador Theatre |
A Broadway theatre in New York |
|
Alabama |
A state located in the southeastern region of the USA. The nickname of the state is the Yellowhammer state. |
|
Alaska |
A US state situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent. It is the largest US state by area. The USA purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867. It was admitted as the 49th state of the US in 1959. The nicknames of the state are the Last Frontier, the Great Land. |
|
Albany |
The capital of the state New York. |
|
Annapolis |
The capital of the state Maryland. |
|
Arizona |
A state in the southwestern region of the US. It was admitted to the Union in 1959 as the state. The nicknames of the states are The Grand Canyon state, the Copper state. |
|
Arkansas |
A state located in the southern region of the US. It was admitted to the Union in 1836 as the 25th state. The nickname is the land of opportunity. |
|
Atlanta |
The capital of the state Georgia. |
|
Augusta |
The capital of the state Maine. |
|
Austin |
The capital of the state Texas. |
|
B Baton Rouge |
The capital of the state Louisiana. |
|
Battle of Gettysburg |
The battle on July,1813 in and around the town Gettysburg, Pennsylvania between Union and Confederate forces during the American Civil war. |
|
Big Apple |
A nickname of New York City. |
|
Bismarch |
The capital of the state North Dakota. |
|
Beverly Hills |
A city in Los Angeles City , California, United States. |
|
Boise |
The capital of the state Idaho. |
|
Boston |
The capital of the state Massachussets. |
|
Boston Tea Party |
A political protest by the sons of Liberty in Boston, on December 16, 1773. This political event grew into the War of Independence. |
|
Broadway |
The longest street ( over 25 km) in New York City, known worldwide as the heart of the American theatre industry. |
|
(the) Bronx |
The only borough of New York City that is located on the mainland. It is located to the north-east of Manhattan. |
|
Brooklyn |
The most populous of New York City’s five boroughs, with about 2,5 million people |
|
C California |
A state located on the west coast of US. It is most populous US state, home to one out of eight Americans and is the third largest state by area ( after Alaska and Texas). The nickname is the Golden state. |
|
Capitol
|
The place where the American Congress sits. It is the symbol of the American power. |
|
Carnegie Deli |
A restaurant located in Midtown, Manhattan, New York City. |
|
Carson City |
The capital of the state Nevada. |
|
Central Park |
A park in New York. About 37 million people visit it annually. |
|
Charleston |
The capital of West Virginia. |
|
Cheyenne |
The capital of the state Wyoming. |
|
Colorado |
A US state encompassing most of the Southern Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado plateau. The nickname of the state is the Centennial state. It was admitted to the Union in 1876 as the 38th state. |
|
Columbia |
The capital of the state South Carolina. |
|
Columbus |
The capital of the state Ohio. |
|
Columbus, Christopher ( 1450-1506) |
An Italian explorer, navigator. |
|
Concord |
The capital of the state New Hampshire. |
|
Congress |
The bicameral legislature of the federal government of the US consisting of two houses : the House of Representatives and the Senate. Congress has 535 voting members: 435 Representatives and 100 Senators. |
|
Confederacy |
A government set up in 1861 by seven slave states of the Lower South that had declared their secession from the Us following the November 1860 election of Abraham Lincoln. |
|
Connecticut |
The southernmost state in the northeastern region of the US known as New England. It was admitted to the Union in 1788 as the 5th state. The nicknames of the state are the Constitution state, the Nutmeg state, the Provisions state. |
|
D Declaration of Independence |
A statement adopted by the Continental Congress on July,4,1836, which was announced that the 13 American colonies regarded themselves as independent states and no longer as a part of the British Empire. |
|
Delaware |
A US state located on the Atlantic coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the US. The state was one of the 13 colonies participating in the American Revolution and in 1787 became the first state of the USA. The nicknames of the state are the First state, Blue Hen state, the Small wonder, the Diamond state. |
|
Denver |
The capital of the state Colorado. |
|
Des Moines |
The capital of the state Iowa. |
|
Disney, Walt |
An American business magnat, animator,cartoonist. Along with his brother Roy O.Disney co- founded Walt Disney Company. |
|
Dover |
The capital of the state Delaware. |
|
E Empire State Building |
A 103 story skyscraper located in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. It’s the tallest building in New York. |
|
F FBI |
Federal bureau of investigation, a governmental agency belonging to the United States Department of Justice. |
|
Fifth avenue |
A street with expensive houses and historical mansions. It’s a symbol of wealthy New York. |
|
Flag Day |
This holiday is on June 14th. It is the commemoration of the American Flag. |
|
Florida |
A state in the southeastern region of the US. It is known for its amusement parks , the production of oranges. It was admitted to the Union in 1845 as the 15th state. The nickname of the state is the sunshine state. |
|
G Georgia |
A state in the southern region of the US. It was the fourth state to ratify the US Constitution in 1788. The nicknames are Peach State, Empire State of the South |
|
Great Depression |
A global economic depression, which in America lasted from 1929 to 1940. |
|
( the) Guggenheim Museum |
A modern art museum, one of best –known in New York City. |
|
Guggenheim R.Solomon (1861-1949) |
An American businessman, art collector.He is best known for establishing the Solomon R.Guggenheim Museum in New York City. |
|
H Harrisburg |
The capital of the state Pennsylvania. |
|
Hartford |
The capital of the state Connecticut. |
|
Hawaii |
The most recent of the 50 US states and is the only US state made up entirely of islands. The nicknames are the Aloha State, Paradise, The Island of Aloha. |
|
Helena |
The capital of the state Montana. |
|
Honolulu |
The capital of the state Hawaii. |
|
Hollywood Boulevard |
A street in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. |
|
( the ) Hope Diamond |
A large deep-blue diamond, housed in Smithsonian Natural History Museum in Washington D.C. |
|
( the) House of Representatives |
One of the two houses of the United States Congress. |
|
( the) Hudson River |
A 315-mile (507 km) watercourse. New York City is on the Hudson River. |
|
I Idaho |
A state in the northwestern region of the USA. It was admitted to the Union in 1890 as the 43th state. The nickname is the Gem state. |
|
Illinois |
A state in the Midwestern region of the USA. It was admitted to the Union in 1818 as the 21st state. Three Us presidents have been elected while living in Illinois : Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S.Grant, Barack Obama. The nicknames are land of Lincoln, the prairie state. |
|
Indiana |
A US state located in the Midwestern and Great Lakes of North America. It was admitted to the Union in 1816 as the 19th state. The nickname is the hoosier state. |
|
Indianapolis |
The capital of the state Indiana. |
|
Iowa |
A US state in the Midwestern United States, a region sometimes called the American Heartland. It was admitted to the Union in 1846 as the 29th state. The nicknames are the tall corn state, the hawkeye state. |
|
J Jackson |
The capital of the state Mississippi. |
|
Jefferson, Thomas ( 1743-1836) |
The third president of the states. He wrote a big part of the Declaration of Independence. |
|
Jefferson City |
The capital of the state Missouri. |
|
Jefferson Memorial |
The memorial was built in memory of Thomas Jefferson, the third American president. |
|
Juneau |
The capital of the state Alaska. |
|
K Kansas |
A US state located in the Midwestern United States, one of the most productive agricultural states. It was admitted to the Union in 1861 as the 34th state. |
|
Kentucky |
A state located in the east- central region of the USA. In 1972 it became the 15th state to join the Union. The nickname is the bluegrass state. |
|
Klein, Calvin |
An American fashion designer. |
|
Kodak Theatre |
A live-performance auditorium in the Hollywood and Highland shopping mall and entertainment complex. Since its opening in 2001, the theatre has hosted the Academy Awards ceremonies. |
|
L Lansing |
The capital of the state Michigan. |
|
Lauren, Ralf ( 1939) |
An American fashion designer, best known for his Polo Ralph Lauren clothing brand. |
|
Lincoln |
The capital of the state Nebraska. |
|
Lincoln, Abraham ( 1809-1865) |
The 16th president of the US, known for fighting against slavery. |
|
Little Rock |
The capital of the state Arkansas. |
|
Louisiana |
A state located in the southern region of the US. It was admitted to the Union in 1812 as the 18th state. The nicknames are the pelican state, sugar state, sportsman’s paradise. |
|
M Madison |
The capital of the state Wisconsin. |
|
Madonna Louise Ciccone (1958) |
An American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. |
|
Maine |
A state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south. It was admitted to the Union in 1820 as the 23rd state. The nickname is the pine tree state. |
|
Malibu |
An affluent beach in Los Angeles, California, United States. Malibu consists of a 21-mile (34 km) strip of prime Pacific coastline. |
|
Manhattan |
The heart of New York City, the home to most New York’s sky-scrapers. |
|
Mann’s Chinese Theatre |
A cinema on the historic Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6925 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California. |
|
Maryland |
A US state located in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It was the seventh state to ratify the United States Constitution ( 1788) and has three used nicknames :The Old Line State, the Free State and the Chesapeake Bay State.The nickname is the sunflower state. |
|
Massachussets |
A state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It was admitted to the Union in 1788 as the 6th state. The nickname of the state is Bay State. |
|
Medison Avenue |
A north- south avenue in the borough of Manhattan in New York City. Since the 1920s the street’s name has been synonymous with the American advertising industry. |
|
MGM ( Metro- Goldwin- Mayer Studios) |
An American media company, involved primarily in the production and distribution of films and television programs. |
|
Michigan |
A state in the Great Lakes region of the Midwestern United States. It was admitted to the Union in 1837 as the 26th state. The nicknames of the state are the wolverine state, the Great Lakes state, water wonderland. |
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Minnesota |
A US state in the Midwestern United States. It was admitted to the Union in 1858 as the 32nd state. The nicknames of the states are the north star state, the Bread and butter state, the wheat state, land of 10000 lakes. |
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Missouri |
A US state located in the Midwestern United States. It was admitted to the Union in 1821 as the 24th state. The nickname of the state is the show-me state. |
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Mississippi |
A US state located in the Southern United States. It was admitted to the Union in 1817 as the 20th state. The nickname of the state is the Magnolia state. |
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Montpelier |
The capital of the state Vermont. |
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Montana |
A state in the Western United States. It was admitted to the Union in 1889 as the 41st state. The nicknames of the state are the treasure state, Big Sky Country. |
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Montgomery |
The capital of the state Alabama. |
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Mount Rushmore |
A monumental granite sculpture in South Dakota, the USA. It represents the first 150 years of the history of the USA and is 18-metre sculptures of the heads of former US presidents ( George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln). |
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Mount Vernon |
The plantation home ( in Virginia) of George Washington. |
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N Nashville |
The capital of the state Tennessee. |
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Nebraska |
A state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. It was admitted to the Union as the 37th state in 1867.The nicknames of the state are the black water state, the Tree-planter state, cornhusker state. |
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Nevada |
A state in the western, mountain west and southwestern region of the United States. It became the 36th state in 1864. The nicknames of the state are the silver statue, the sagebrush state. |
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New Hampshire |
A state in New England region of the northeastern United States . In 1788 it became the 9th state to ratify the United States Constitution. The nicknames of the state are the granite state, the white mountain state. |
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New Jersey |
A state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. It was admitted to the Union in 1787 as the 3rd state. The nickname of the state is the garden state. |
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New Mexico |
A state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. It was admitted to the Union in 1912 as the 47th state. The nickname of the state is the land of enchantment. |
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New York |
One of the largest cities in the world and the biggest in the US. |
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New York |
A state in the Northeastern and Mid- Atlantic regions of the United States. It became the 11th state to ratify the US Constitution in 1788.The nickname of the state is the Empire state. |
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Nicholson, Jack (1937) |
An American actor, film director, producer. |
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North Carolina |
A state in Southeastern United States. It was admitted to the Union in 1789 as the 12th state. The nicknames of the state are Tar Heel state, Old North State. |
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North Dakota |
The 39th state of the United States , having been admitted to the union in 1889.it is located in the Upper Midwestern region of the USA.The nicknames of the state are the Flickertail state, Peace Garden state. |
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O Ohio |
A state in the Midwestern United States. It was admitted to the Union as the 17th state in 1803. The nicknames of the state are the buckeye state, the Mother of Presidents. |
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Oklahoma |
A state located in the South Central United States. It was admitted to the Union in 1907 as the 46th state. The nickname of the state is the sooner state. |
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Oklahoma City |
The capital of the state Oklahoma. |
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Olympia |
The capital of the state Washington. |
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Oregon |
A state in the Pacific Northwest of the USA. It became the 33th state in 1859. The nickname of the state is the beaver state. |
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Oscars( the) |
An annual Academy Awards ceremony honoring achievements in the film industry. |
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Oscar Night |
The most important annual celebrity event in Show biz which takes place in Los Angeles. |
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P Pan American Building |
The headquarters for the Organization of American States. |
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Paramount |
A film and television production studio (commonly known as Paramount Pictures) |
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Park Avenue |
A wide boulevard that carries north- and southbound traffic in the New York City borough of Manhattan. |
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Pennsylvania |
A US state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid- Atlantic regions of the USA, The state is one of the 13 original states of the USA. It became the second state to ratify the US Constitution in 1787. The nicknames of the state are the Keystone state, state of independence. |
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Phoenix |
The capital of the state Arizona. |
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Pierre |
The capital of the state South Dakota. |
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( the) Potomac |
A river in the USA. Washington D.C. is on it. |
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Providence |
The capital of the state Rhode Island. |
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Q Queens |
The easternmost of five boroughs of New York City , the largest in area and the second largest in population. |
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R Raleigh |
The capital of the state North Carolina. |
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Rhode Island |
A state in the New England region of the USA. It was admitted to the Union in 1790 as the 13th state. The nicknames of the state are Little Rhody, the Ocean state. |
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Richmond |
The capital of Virginia. |
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Roberts, Julia (1967) |
An American actress and producer, a Hollywood star. |
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Rockfeller, John Davison (1839-1937) |
An American business magnate and philanthropist. |
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(the ) Rockfeller Center |
A complex of 19 commercial buildings in New York City. Built by the Rockfeller family , it is located in the center of Midtown Manhattan. It was declared a National Historic Landmark. |
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Ross Betsy (1752-1836) |
The maker of the first American flag. She has become one of the most cherished figures of American history. |
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Rowling, Joanne (1965) |
A British novelist , best known as the author of the Harry Potter fantasy series. |
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S Sacramento |
The capital of the state California. |
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Salem |
The capital of the state Oregon. |
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Salt Lake City |
The capital of the state Utah. |
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Santa Fe |
The capital of the state New Mexico. |
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Senate |
A legislative chamber in the bicameral legislature of the USA , together with the House of Representatives makes up the US Congress. |
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(the) Smithsonian Air and Space Achievement Museum (NASA) |
The most popular of the Smithsonian museums. It has the largest collection of aircraft and spacecraft in the world. |
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(the) Smithsonian American History Museum |
The museum collects , preserves and displays the heritage of the USA in the areas of social, political, cultural, scientific and military history. The museum is a part of the Smithsonian Institution. |
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( the) Smithsonian Institution |
The world’s largest museum complex and research organization which consists of 19 museums and eight research centers. |
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( the) Smithsonian Natural History Museum |
A natural history museum administered by the Smithsonian Institution. The museum’s collections total over 126 million specimens of plants, animals, fossils, minerals, rocks, meteorites and human cultural artifacts. |
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St.Patrick’s Day |
An Irish national holiday celebrated in the US. The main activity on this day is simply wearing green clothes. |
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Staten Island |
One of five boroughs of New York, located in the southwest part of the city. |
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( the) Statue of Liberty |
The statue is on Liberty Island , New York City. It’s a symbol of freedom. The Statue is a present from France to the American people. It was designed by Frederic Bartholdi as a monument to a great hundred-year international friendship between America and France during the American revolutionary war. |
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South Carolina |
The nickname of the state is the Palmetto state. |
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South Dakota |
A state located in the Midwestern region of the USA. It was admitted to the Union in 1889 as the 40th state. The nicknames of the state are the Coyote state and the Mount Rushmore state. |
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Spingfield |
The capital of the state Illinois. |
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Stallone, Sylvester (1946) |
An American actor, screenwriter and film director. |
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St.Paul |
The capital of the state Minnesota. |
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Streisand, Barbara ( 1942) |
An American singer- songwriter, actress, film producer and director. |
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Supreme Court |
The highest federal court in the USA. |
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T Tallahassee |
The capital of the state Florida. |
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Tennessee |
A US state located in the Southeastern United States. It was admitted to the Union in 1796 as the 16th state. The nickname of the state is the volunteer state. |
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Texas |
The second most populous ( after California) and the second largest of the 50 states ( after Alaska) in the USA. It was admitted to the Union in 1845 as the 28th state. The nickname of the state the lone star state. |
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Thanksgiving Day |
This holiday is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. It started in 1620 when British colonists gave a feast of thanksgiving for a good harvest and also to thank the Indians for their help. |
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Topeka |
The capital of the state Kansas. |
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Trenton |
The capital of the state New Jersey. |
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U UN Headquarters |
A complex in New York City. The complex has served as the official headquarters of the United Nations since its completion in 1952. |
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Union Army |
The land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. |
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Universal |
( also known as Universal Pictures) an American motion picture studio. |
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Utah |
A state in the USA. It became the 45th state admitted to the Union in 1896. The nicknames of the state are the Salt Lake state, the beehive state. |
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V Vermont |
A state in the New England region in the northeastern United States. It was admitted to the Union in 1791 as the 14th state. The nickname of the state the Green mountain state. |
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Virginia |
A US state located in the South Atlantic region of the United States.it was admitted to the Union in 1788 as the 10th state. The nicknames of the state are Mother of Presidents, the Old Dominion. |
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W Walk of Fame |
A sidewalk attraction with embedded stars along Hollywood Boulevard. The stars are permanent public monuments to achievements in the entertainment industry , bearing the names of actors, musicians, directors, producers, fictional characters. It is a popular tourist destination. |
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War of Independence ( 1775-1783) |
The American Revolutionary War began as rebellion of 13 North American colonies against Great Britain. |
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Warner Bros |
An American producer of film, television, and music entertainment. It’s one of the major film studios. |
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Washington |
A state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It was admitted to the Union in 1889 as the 42nd state. The nickname of the state is the Evergreen state. |
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Washington,D.C. |
The capital of the USA. It’s the home of the federal government of the United States. |
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Washington,George ( 1732-1799) |
The first president of the US. He is often called one of the Founding Fathers of the American nation. |
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(the) Washington Monument |
The monument commemorates the first President of the USA. It looks like a huge pencil and it is called “ The Pencil”. |
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West Virginia |
A US state located in the Appalachian region of the Southern United States. It was admitted to the Union in 1863 as the 35th state. The nickname of the state is the mountain state. |
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(the) White House |
The official Presidential residence.It is a two-storeyed white building , which consists of 132 rooms. |
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Whitehall street |
A street in the New York City borough of Manhattan, about four blocks long. |
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Wisconsin |
AUS state located in the north- central United States. It was admitted to the Union in 1848 as the 30th state. The nicknames of the state are the badger state and America’s Dairyland. |
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Wright, Frank Lloyd (1867-1959) |
An American architect who designed more than 1000 structures and completed 532 works. He was recognized in 1991 by the American Institute of Architects as “the greatest American architect of all times”. |
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Wyoming |
A state in the mountain region of the Western United States. It is the 10th most extensive, but the least populous and the second least densely populated of the 50 United States. It was admitted to the Union in 1890 as the 44th state. The nicknames of the state are the Equality state and Cowboy state. |
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Y Yosemite National Park |
A United States National Park in the state of California. |
