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Although English is spoken in both Great Britain and the United States, the great distance between the two countries has resulted in an evolution of the two languages, complete with many differences. Not only is the accent slightly different, English in Great Britain is peppered with phrases that don't exist in the U.S., and vice versa. Thanks to Internet offerings, audio books and textbooks, there is no need to cross the "pond" to learn English as it is spoken in Great Britain.
Purchase or check out books that teach British phrasing and grammar structure. Popular phrases or terms used in Great Britain that do not exist here include "cheers" or "cheerio" for hello or goodbye, "loo" for bathroom, "queue" for line and "chemist" for pharmacy. The popular "Teach Yourself" series features a book to learn British English.
Take an online class to teach you the nuances in British phrasing and terminology. Some courses are geared more toward professionals who need to conduct business in the UK, while others are ideal for those who plan to travel purely for pleasure. The British Council frequently updates its website at www.learnenglish.org.uk with online grammar games and themed lessons.
Purchase CD-ROMs or Audio CDs to teach you British English at your own pace. Rosetta Stone three-level CD-ROM features an audio companion CD to listen to in the car. Rosetta Stone's website states users will develop the British language skills to enjoy social interactions such as travel and shopping,
Master the British accent, which includes dropping the "r" sound and changing the way your mouth forms many vowels, with CDs and videos available for free and for purchase online.
Keep reference books on hand to help you readily translate British and American sayings. Titles worth adding to your collection include "Divided by a Common Language: A British/American Dictionary" by Christopher Davies and "British Slang Dictionary" by Ewart James.
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