Exploring English: Food and Culture (FutureLearn)

Explore traditional British food
When you think about British food you might think about roast beef or fish and chips, but this course will show you how food from all over the world has also become part of British culture. You’ll even learn how to cook chicken tikka masala, sometimes described as ‘Britain’s national dish’.
You’ll also see the international influence on modern British eating habits by looking at the exciting restaurant culture in the UK and finding out what kind of takeaway food people prefer to order.

Improve your listening skills by listening to authentic British voices
At every point in the course you’ll hear English from British people describing what they eat, who cooks their meals, and where they go to shop for food.
They will also welcome you into their kitchens to show you around and cook with you. The course videos will help you to develop your listening skills as you watch authentic examples of people speaking English.

Discover new trends in British culture
As well as traditional British eating habits, you’ll hear about how things are changing.
You’ll learn about the rise in vegetarianism and veganism and discover that many people are growing their own food in gardens and allotments.

Improve your English and cooking skills
This course gives you a great opportunity to practise your English and improve your ability to talk about food and cooking as well as how to cook some tasty British dishes!

What topics will you cover?
The course looks at the role food plays in UK culture.

• What is ‘traditional’ British food and what do people in contemporary UK actually eat?
• UK restaurant culture. Explore the vibrant UK restaurant scene and look at the link between immigration to the UK and changing food culture.
• Changing eating habits. Healthy eating and the rise in veganism and vegetarianism
• How to cook some traditional British dishes
• Regional variety. Some traditional foods from the different parts of the UK
• Special occasions. What do British people eat at special times of the year?

What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

• Explore contemporary UK food culture
• Experiment with some recipes from the UK and beyond
• Develop your listening skills as you watch authentic examples of people speaking English
• Reflect on language in use
• Develop language skills and practise using new language
• Discuss UK eating habits from traditional dishes, to multicultural influences to veganism