Made by Tessa van den Hatert
Lesson 10: The Australian Culture
This lesson is about everything that Australian culture has to offer. To learn more about this topics, we are researching what you already know about Australia, getting familiar with some of the most well known Australian words and slang, as well as reading and writing about what makes the culture of Australia so unique in comparison to your own culture.
Lesson planning:
- What do we already know? - Introduction to Aussie Slang | Vocabulary exercise - Recognising Aussie Slang | Reading exercise - Make something using Aussie Slang | Writing exercise |
At the end of the lesson:
- I have refreshed my memory on my current australian culture knowledge. - I can recognise Australian slang, and know what it means. - I can use Australian slang in my own writing correctly. |
Fill in any Australian pop culture references you might already know in the padlet below!
Do you see any things you recognise on the padlet board?
Discuss with someone any concepts you might know or look interesting!
Discuss with someone any concepts you might know or look interesting!
Please read the text below about Australian slang:
Many international students say that one of the most confounding aspects of Australian culture is the constant use of slang. This isn’t surprising, as Australians use slang – in particular, ‘diminutives’ (shortened words) – more than any other English-speakers. In fact, there are more than 4300 shortened words recorded in Australia’s lexicon.
In 2013 Australians’ use of ‘Macca’s’ instead of ‘McDonald’s’ was so common that the restaurant chain officially changed the name of some of its stores, making Australian the only country in the world where McDonald’s sometimes goes under a different name.
Australians also really like to shorten words by adding an ‘ie’ or an ‘o’ at the end, such as in 'postie' for a postal worker and 'ambo' for an ambulance.
All this chopping and changing is particularly challenging for students for whom English is a second language.
While there are plenty of Australian slang dictionaries around, they tend to focus on older slang that most Australians don’t use anymore (unless they’re being sarcastic). And, some Aussie lingo is just a plain myth. For example, an Australian would never say “throw a shrimp on the barbie” (not least because we call shrimp ‘prawns’!).
In 2013 Australians’ use of ‘Macca’s’ instead of ‘McDonald’s’ was so common that the restaurant chain officially changed the name of some of its stores, making Australian the only country in the world where McDonald’s sometimes goes under a different name.
Australians also really like to shorten words by adding an ‘ie’ or an ‘o’ at the end, such as in 'postie' for a postal worker and 'ambo' for an ambulance.
All this chopping and changing is particularly challenging for students for whom English is a second language.
While there are plenty of Australian slang dictionaries around, they tend to focus on older slang that most Australians don’t use anymore (unless they’re being sarcastic). And, some Aussie lingo is just a plain myth. For example, an Australian would never say “throw a shrimp on the barbie” (not least because we call shrimp ‘prawns’!).
Insider Guides. (2023, July 24). Essential Aussie Slang for International Students. https://insiderguides.com.au/essential-aussie-slang-international-students/
In the match game below you will find some typical Aussie (Australian) slang that is used often by locals. Try to match the vocabulary to the right description!
For the last assignment of this class you will utilise all of the slang and cultural references you have learned about Australia.
For this assignment, you have been living in Australia for a month, and are getting used to all the quirks and customs that Australia and its people have. You will write a postcard to your friend back home, talking about your adventures in Australia, possibly using the slang that you have picked up in the past few weeks! The postcard must include: - One story typical of Australia - feel free to use the slang provided above in the vocabulary, or find your own! - between 50-100 words Make the assignment and hand it in to teams! Good luck! |
That concludes lesson 10! Next class we will also focus on Australia, and then specifically the wildlife you can find Down under!