14 September 1957: Be punctual,avoid being ill and do not tip policemen: some of the advice for foreign students on ‘English life’ courseThe Englishman abroad has been accused of believing that if he shouts loud enough the native” will understand what he is trying to say. At the back of his intellect, perhaps, or is the determination not to confess that an Englishman can be a foreigner. What the Englishman does is the natural thing to do; what he does not do is suspect. If,however, any Englishman cares to see himself as a foreigner, or he should join one of the courses on “English life” that are arranged at this time of year for the many students from abroad who are approximately to start their university or college life. Many of these courses are arranged by the British Council,but the course for the 86 abroad students at Blackburn Technical College is being led by Mr F. G. Gemmel, a lecturer in English and modern languages in the commercial department. After three of the seven days of it, and the English observer begins to see his fellow-countrymen as more foreign than the students sitting near to him. Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com