The United Kingdom

Explore London, Wales and the history of the British Empire through videos and games.

For each video, start with the drop-down version, then try typing the words.

The Royal Portrait Gallery (A2)

Crowns, robes and curtains: learn to read the portraits of kings and queens.

Visit the gallery Why do kings never wear their crown in their portraits? Find out, then paint your own!

Tea, bowler hats and umbrellas: are the English really like that?

Stereotypes of the English Two Londoners check the classic clichés with a lot of humour. Which ones are true?
Every British stereotype explained (B1/B2) Tea, teeth, queues and rain: a Brit tells you where the clichés come from.

Singers, actors, writers, scientists... all born in London. How many do you know?

Match the names and the descriptions Who wrote Oliver Twist? Who sang Back to Black? Match each star with their story.
Match the photos and the names Can you recognise these famous faces?
Who is it? Photos and clues Look at the face, read the clue and pick the right name among three.
Famous fictional Londoners Sherlock Holmes, Paddington, Mary Poppins... meet the most famous Londoners who never existed!

Name the landmarks Big Ben, the London Eye, Covent Garden... can you recognise London's landmarks from a photo?

A video tour of one of the most visited cities in the world.

Watch and answer How many people live in London? Is it really that rainy? Watch and find out!
Watch and complete Drag the right words as you discover London's history, food and people.
Vocabulary quiz Choose the right word to complete each sentence about London.
Vocabulary Learn the words you need to describe a big, busy city.

Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, double-decker buses: the icons everybody knows.

Watch and answer What is Big Ben's real name? What do the Beefeaters do today? Test yourself after the tour.
Watch and complete Visit the city's most famous sights and drag the right words into the commentary.
Vocabulary quiz Legendary, landmark, masterpiece... pick the right word for each sentence.
Vocabulary The words you need to talk about palaces, towers and ceremonies.

Two thousand years of history, and the landmarks to prove it.

Watch and answer Where did Churchill hide during the war? Who designed the Naval College? Watch and answer.
Watch and complete From Shakespeare's Globe to Churchill's War Rooms, use the word list to complete the commentary.
Vocabulary quiz Millennia, thoroughfare, gateway... the words that bring history to life.
Vocabulary Learn the words to talk about history and architecture.

Visiting London with your family? Here is where to go.

Watch and answer Climbing walls, the oldest zoo in the world, a giant wheel... what would you choose?
Watch and complete Find out what keeps kids and parents busy in the capital.
Vocabulary quiz Sightseeing, aboard, heights... choose the right word to plan a great day out.
Vocabulary The words you need to plan a great day out.

How a small island built the largest empire in history, and how it fell.

Watch and answer Five centuries in one video: can you answer 8 questions about the rise and fall of an empire?
Watch and complete Follow the story of the empire and drag the right words as you go.
Vocabulary quiz Peak, settlement, despite... the words historians use, in context.
Vocabulary Rise, peak, fall... the words you need to tell the story of an empire.

Beautiful landscapes, a rich history and a language of its own. Welcome to Wales!

Watch and answer Which languages do they speak in Wales? Which sport do they love? Watch and find out.
Watch and complete Discover the country on the western side of Great Britain and complete the commentary.
Vocabulary quiz Rainy, bilingual, coastline... choose the right word to describe Wales.
Vocabulary Rainy, wet, northerly... learn the words to describe a country.

Pubs, music and a whole country known as the land of song.

Watch and answer Whisky in cheese? A pub on the beach? Watch and answer 8 questions.
Watch and complete Find out how the Welsh like to have fun.
Find the mistakes Some words in the text are wrong. Listen carefully, spot them and correct them.
Vocabulary quiz Shopaholic, nightlife, lively... the words to talk about going out.

Literature, music, traditions: what makes Welsh culture so special?

Watch and answer A poet's boat house, a Roman fortress, a free museum... how much do you remember?
Watch and complete Discover the places where Welsh culture comes alive.
Find the mistakes 8 mistakes are hiding in the text. Can you find and correct them all?
Vocabulary quiz Native, admission, sustainable... choose the right word for each sentence.