On my hobby horse

[FangFang]

Hi,everyone:
Personally, i think differences between BrE and AmE are not so important . Most of them are about pronounciations and spellings. When i check new words with my Oxford Advanced Learner's English-Chinese Dictionary(Fourth Edition) i 'd like to spend some time noticing those differences. It is helpful , but if you put much into that you may feel tired. In fact, students won't be encouraged to pay much attention to that in classes . They can develop some interests after classes. It is interesting.
I have read something in Torsten 's articles about this topic. Yeah, it is true that we do find these differences. Specially, Bristish people speak english very clearly (better for imitation ) , which is different from the american accent(better for listening) Anyway, i still enjoy this second foreign language, whatever British english, American english , Australian english and Canadian english

[Tamara]

OK, Alan.

P.S.
I’d just like to add that I’m not so much utilitarian and firm-of-purpose learner to focus myself narrowly and become completely uninterested to 'American version' of the language.
I'd like to meet it here, as well as British one.
Together, not in divorce.

Look forward to your responses and comments.
Tamara
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[Torsten]

Well, let's take a look at what we have achieved: we have a growing community of people who share one common interest -- the English language. We all can learn from each other and I think Amy is absolutely right in saying that although both American and British English are very similar there are still some minor differences between them. And it's these differences that make learning English even more attractive and rewarding. One of the strength of the Americans is their ability to create diverse environments and make the best of it.

Did you know that a lot of internationally operating corporations (the vast majority of which are US based) have a diversity department and a diversity policy in place? CNN uses a diverse range of speakers who all have different accents.

If Amy refers to the fact that she is American and therefore speaks American English it makes learners aware of the existence of different versions of English. This is exactly what we want. Raising awareness of our differences and combining them into something new.
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