Exploring English: Language and Culture Course - British Council

Improve your English language skills while discovering key aspects of British culture, from Shakespeare to live music, and more.

Discover British culture while improving your English language skills

This ExpertTrack from the British Council will deepen your understanding of the culture and history of the UK and also help you improve your English and give you opportunities to practise at every step.

The three courses in the ExpertTrack look at some aspects of modern British culture as well as looking back to some of the roots of British culture in the work of William Shakespeare and in Magna Carta, the foundation of our modern democracy.

Over the three courses, you will hear authentic English in interviews with people across the UK, you’ll do language activities based on the English you hear and you’ll share your own thoughts, experiences and opinions at every step.

Explore the role of music, literature, and the countryside in British culture

In the first course in this ExpertTrack, Language and Culture, you’ll investigate some central elements of British culture.

First, you’ll consider English as a global language. How did English become the language of business, education and popular culture in many parts of the world?

Next, you’ll look at the role of music in British culture. Who are your favourite British musicians and can listening to songs help you learn a language?

The British countryside is famously green but what do you know about the four countries that make up the United Kingdom? You’ll get a flavour of all four.

Finally, who’s your favourite British author? You’ll look at some famous books and authors and share your own reading experience, from the UK and from your own culture.

Get an introduction to Shakespeare – and study some of his best-known plays

William Shakespeare is Britain’s most famous and best-loved writer. In the second course, you will learn about Shakespeare’s life in Stratford-upon-Avon.

You’ll also look at five of his most famous plays, including Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet. You’ll hear from actors describing their thoughts and experiences of playing Shakespeare’s characters and you’ll learn more about Shakespeare’s lasting influence on the English language. You’ll even get the opportunity to perform a little bit of Shakespeare yourself!

Learn all about Magna Carta

This course will start by looking at the events that led to the signing of ‘the great charter’, Magna Carta in 1215. How did this document, almost forgotten about for hundreds of years, play such an important part in shaping history. You’ll look at its role in forming modern Britain.

You’ll also find out more about other struggles through the centuries – from American independence to the right to vote and from Gandhi to Nelson Mandela.

Key skills you will learn

• Learn about the life and works of William Shakespeare.
• Universal themes in Shakespeare's work
• Shakespeare's influence on the English language
• Find out about contemporary UK culture
• Watch videos and listen to authentic English in use
• English language practice activities
• Find out how Magna Carta influenced the course of history

ExpertTrack course overview

• Language and Culture
  Explore British culture - from music to the countryside - with the British Council to improve your English language skills.
• Shakespeare
  Explore Shakespeare’s life, discover famous Shakespeare plays, and improve your English language skills with the British Council.
• Magna Carta
  Improve your English language skills while exploring the Magna Carta - the 800-year-old "great charter" that shaped the world.

How ExpertTracks work

Join an ExpertTrack to master new skills in your chosen specialist area. Work through a series of topic-focused courses at your own pace, and pass the final assessment to earn a digital certificate award that proves your expertise.

World-class learning with

British Council

The British Council is on the ground in six continents and over 100 countries connecting the best of UK culture with a global audience and providing high-quality English language courses.

Meet your instructors

Start learning today - free 7-day trial

After your free trial you can:

• Pay $39 per month to keep learning online
• Have complete control over your subscription; you can cancel any time
• Work at your own pace and set your own deadlines at every stage
• Only pay while you’re learning; the subscription will cancel automatically when you finish
• Complete online assessments to test your knowledge and prove your skills
• Earn digital course certificates and a final award that you can share online, with potential employers, and your professional network
• Keep access to the content of courses you complete even after your subscription ends

Learning outcomes

By the end of the ExpertTrack, you’ll be able to:

• Investigate British life and culture, including English as a global language, the countryside, music, and literature
• Explore the life and works of William Shakespeare and his enduring popularity
• Investigate Magna Carta - the 800-year-old 'great charter' that shaped the world
• Reflect on English in use and learn how to improve your English language skills