Your Journey Starts Here: The World in Your Pocket!
Hi there, young traveller! Have you ever thought about how big and exciting our world is? Even if you are at home right now, English is like a magic key that can take you anywhere.
Today, we are starting a new adventure. We are going to learn about Countries.
Today, we are starting a new adventure. We are going to learn about Countries.
1. Why learn about countries?
Imagine you are in London. You meet a new friend near Big Ben. They smile and say: "Hi! I'm from Japan. How about you?" To have a great conversation, you need to know the names of places and, more importantly, how to be polite. In the UK, being polite is like a national sport!
Imagine you are in London. You meet a new friend near Big Ben. They smile and say: "Hi! I'm from Japan. How about you?" To have a great conversation, you need to know the names of places and, more importantly, how to be polite. In the UK, being polite is like a national sport!
2. The British Secret: "Whereabouts?"
When British people ask where you are from, they don't just want to know the country. They want to be friendly. Instead of only saying "Where are you from?", they often use this cool word:
Whereabouts in Latvia are you from? (It means: "Where exactly in Latvia do you live?")
Using "whereabouts" makes you sound very natural and kind. It shows you are interested in the other person!
Using "whereabouts" makes you sound very natural and kind. It shows you are interested in the other person!
3. Top Tips to Remember
When you study the names of countries, remember these two British English rules:
When you study the names of countries, remember these two British English rules:
- The "The" Rule: Most countries don't need the article "the". We say "I live in France". But some special places always need it, like the UK, the USA, and the Netherlands.
- Listen to the Stress: In English, we often say names louder at the beginning. For example, it's Italy, not Ita-ly.
Before you start learning new words, review what you already know from 4th grade.
Let's start with some European countries.
Sāksim ar dažu Eiropas valstu nosaukumiem!
Sāksim ar dažu Eiropas valstu nosaukumiem!
Europe — [ˈjʊə.rəp] — Eiropa
Austria — [ˈɒs.tri.ə] — Austrija
Ievēro! Austrijas karogs ir ļoti līdzīgs Latvijas karogam, tikai sarkanai tonis ir spilgtāks.
Bulgaria — [bʌlˈɡeə.ri.ə] — Bulgārija
the Czech Republic — [ˌtʃek rɪˈpʌblɪk] — Čehija
Denmark — [ˈden.mɑːk] — Dānija
Greece — [ɡriːs] — Grieķija
Hungary — [ˈhʌŋ.ɡər.i] — Ungārija
Iceland — [ˈaɪs.lənd] — Islande
Ireland — [ˌlɪθ.juˈeɪ.ni.ə] — Īrija
Norway — [ˈpəʊ.lənd] — Norvēģija
Romania — [ruˈmeɪ.ni.ə] — Rumānija
Switzerland — [ˈswɪt.sə.lənd] — Šveice
Turkey — [ˈtɜː.ki] — Turcija
the UK — [ˌjuːˈkeɪ] — AK (saīsinājums)
the United Kingdom — [jʊˌnaɪ.tɪd ˈkɪŋ.dəm] — Apvienotā Karaliste
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — Lielbritānijas un Ziemeļīrijas Apvienotā Karaliste
Piemērs:
The United Kingdom is the country that consists of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. — Apvienotā Karaliste ir valsts, kuras sastāvā ietilpst Anglija, Skotija, Velsa un Ziemeļīrija.