English · Stage 5

Many Accents

Oracy — the same English has many accents and varieties; listen for the meaning, and respect every one.

✦ English📘 Stage 5 · S5⏱ ~12 min🧒 Ages 9–10★ Free to start

I can listen to and understand English spoken in different accents and varieties.

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Kavi Listens Around the World

"English is spoken all over the world," said Kavi, "and it does not always sound the same! A friend in London says lift; a friend in New York says elevator — but it is the same box that carries you up. Some friends have an accent that sounds new to me. I never say anyone is 'wrong' — I listen for the meaning, and I respect every variety. Same English, many voices!"

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What your child will learn

1Three friends, one meaningTap each line to hear it. Three friends from different places say the same idea — but some use a different word or a different accent. Listen for the meaning: it stays the same.

2Same English → different word → same meaningAround the world, people speak the same English in different varieties. Often there are two words for one thing. The word changes — the meaning stays. Tap a pair to hear the second word.

3A different sound, or a different word?English can vary in two ways. Sometimes the same word just sounds different — that is an accent. Sometimes a different word is used for the same thing — that is a variety's vocabulary. Tap each card.

4Which responses show a good listener?

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A peek inside

Watch me understand a new word. A friend says: "Put your rubbish in the bin." I have always said "trash can," not "bin." How do I understand it?

listen for the meaning, use the other words → "rubbish" goes in the "bin"

Try this at home: English is spoken all over the world. What do we call its different forms, like UK English and US English?

Ready to play and learn?

Start the free interactive lesson, or print the handout for screen-free play.

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Part of English · Stage 5 · S5 on KAVI Academy — a secular, whole-child learning platform for ages 5–12.