Ноябрьским субботним утром за окном моросил дождь, и небо было затянуто серыми низкими облаками (совсем как в Ирландии). Но miserable weather не омрачила очередное заседание в нашем Разговорном Клубе. Мы снова встретились, чтобы в этот раз окунуться в историю и культуру двух англоязычных стран – Ирландии и Шотландии.

When thinking about Ireland or “the Emerald Isle”, several associations immediately come to mind: the shamrock (a three-leaf clover), the Celtic harp, leprechauns, St Patrick’s Day…

Scotland is usually associated with the thistle, bagpipes, kilts, the Loch Ness Monster, Irish dances, the Highland Games…

Many English textbooks contain the information about these countries. But our “tour guide” offered us an unusual trip to the history and culture of Ireland and Scotland.

At first the club members had a look at the map of the British Isles, emphasizing the differences between The UK, Britain and Great Britain; Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Ireland.

Fyodor highlighted some key periods and events in Ireland’s history.

Then there was the most exciting part of the meeting – Irish songs. They are renowned for their melodic beauty, emotional depth, and unique charm.

There is nowhere like Scotland – a magical country, a land of misty mountains…Scotland combines stunning picturesque scenery, deep-rooted traditions, gastronomic delights, and adventurous possibilities. Its diverse natural beauty (breathtaking highlands, lochs (lakes), rolling hills, and rugged coastlines), its rich history and culture (ancient castles and fortresses, numerous festivals), a great number of open-air activities all year round make Scotland special and appealing for visitors.

Have you ever heard about “tartan” or “haggis”? Tartan is the name of the typical coloured pattern; different tartans are connected with different Scottish families or clans. Haggis is the most famous Scottish food, it consists of a sheep’s stomach which is packed with bits of meat, onion, oats, spices and salt.

At the end of the meeting the members were offered to take part in a tricky Ireland / Scotland Quiz to test their knowledge of the countries and discover fascinating facts about them.

Our English Speaking Club offers a pleasant and relaxed environment where the participants can practise their speaking skills, build friendships, and learn about cultural diversity. Enjoy speaking English feeling less awkward and more at ease, having access to more interesting information!

The topic of our next meeting in December is British, American and Australian slang. Slang is not just for fun – it is a gateway to understanding culture, humour and social trends. You will find out what slang words people use to describe the same things across UK, US and Australia.

P.S. to be continued…