On the weekend vs. At the weekend

[Mariposa]

Hello,

as all of you already stated there is a difference between the AE and BE version. However, as an English teacher of the little ones (5th and 6th graders) one should stick to either the AE or BE version. In Europe it is still a lot more common to teach the BE version. With the third year of English pupils will get to know the different varieties of English. From than on they need to stick to either the AE or BE version. It is not correct (from a teacher's point of view) to swith between the British and American version (at least not in one and the same text). Also, in a CV it would be very badly regarded to sometimes use the AE version and then swith to the BE version. Just an explanation from a teacher's point of view. Have fun on the weekend, at the weekend and all coming weekends

[Torsten]

Hi Mariposa,

Many thanks for joining our forum and sharing your experiences with us. I agree with you when you say that from a teacher's point of view it might make sense to stick to just one 'version of English'. This can be Canadian, American, British, Irish, Australian, etc. English depending on where you grew up. However, I think learning English is much more effective than trying to teach it. And learning English means to get exposed to all kinds of "Englishes" and enjoying it.

Is that a piece of advice you would give your students?

Speak to you soon,
Torsten
_________________
Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[Mariposa]

@Torsten: I do agree and I always try to make my students aware of the diversity of the English language. However, beginners should stick to one version (whatever that might be). In general, schools already start in the second year of English to contrast AE with BE. And later pupils will also get to know other varieties.
To all a holiday...

[Inga]

Hi, everybody.
I want to tell you what we agreed on. I am from Belarus (you know this) . Our students learn British English, and we want them to speak BrE (including pronunciation), but keep in mind Am equivalents of the words, because lots of students go to the USA on their holidays.
_________________
I am an incurable optimist.

[Lephuoc]

We use "at the weekend", but "on weekends", and both are the same?

[Alan]

Hi,

Yes, they are the same in meaning. It depends very much on which side of the Atlantic you sit.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story A day in the life of a parliamentary candidate

[Lephuoc]

Hi Alan,
Can we use "at weekends" or "on the weekend"?

[Alan]

Hi,

Yes, again remembering the Atlantic position.

Alan
_________________
English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Read all about it

[Password]

The truth is "at the weekend" = "at weekends" in BrE and "on the weekend" = "on weekends" in AmE. That's it.

[Alan]

Hi,

Haven't I just said that?

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Are you a Persuader?

[Cabbage]

Hi
Atlantic crossings are one thing, but how about crossing the equator.

In NZ "in the weekend" is extremely common, but "at the weekend" and "on the weekend" sound OK to us also.

When I was teaching English in Asia, this always caused a debate. After reading all the grammar books, I realised I spoke funny. On returning home, I found that I wasn't the only one who spoke funny. So grammar for a test / exam - use "at" or "on", because chances are the examiner is not a Kiwi.