1. English speaking countries and Commonwealth – an introduction
Simonetta Gatto
Istituto Comprensivo di Casella (GE)

2. The Commonwealth of Nations

3. What is it?
The Commonwealth of Nations, usually known as the Commonwealth, is a voluntary association of 54 independent states, most of which are ex British colonies (except for the United Kingdom itself, Mozambique and Rwanda).

4. Its objectives
The Commonwealth is an international organisation of countries which have diverse social, political, and economic backgrounds. They cooperate to promote democracy, human rights, individual liberty and world peace.

5. The Head of the Commonwealth
Queen Elizabeth II
The first head of the Commonwealth was her father George IV.
The title was devised in 1949.

6. The headquarters
The headquarters is Malboughrough House and it is in Westminster, London.

7. The language of the Commonwealth

8. The Commonwealth Games
Every four years the Commonwealth of Nations organize a multisport international event: the Commonwealth Games.

9. Last and next Games

10. Some sports are not played at the Olympic games
Squash
Lawn Bowls
Rugby seven
Netball
Cricket

11. Seventeen sports Aquatics Athletics Badminton Boxing Cycling
Gymnastics
Hockey
Judo
Lawn Bowls
Netball
Rugby Sevens
Shooting
Squash
Table Tennis
Triathlon
Weightlifting
Wrestling

12. The English speaking countries do not concide with the Commonwealth

13. How many “Englishes”?
English is one language, but there are several varieties: the two most important are:
BE = British English
AE = American English

14. How do British English and American English differ?
Vocabulary
Pronunciation
Grammar
Spelling