Core British Values

BBC Learning EnglishWeekenderCore British ValuesYvonne:  This is Weekender and hello…I’m YvonneArcher!
　　Now what comes to mind if I mention the term “BritishValues”?  Well, that’s a question several peoplehave been pondering since the recent news headlines.
　　Secondary School students in England may have to study coreBritish values – and that’s to help people live togetherin peace, respectingeach other and feeling that they are a part of society.
　　Perhaps you heard those headlines too?
　　Radio London news headline“Compulsory lessons on core British Values could beintroduced in secondary schools in England as part of thegovernment’s response to the London bombings. Ministersare setting up a review to examine the idea with the aim ofcreating a more united society.”
　　Yvonne:  The idea has come about as a response tothe London bombings and as we heard, the ‘aim’ – or goal- is to create ‘a more united society’.  Here’sBill Rammell, The Higher Education Minister – and one ofthe people behind the idea of teaching core British values.
　　It’s clear what they’re trying to achieve, but isit really clear what British values are?
　　Bill Rammell, Higher Education Minister:
　　“What I think is clear, is there are a whole set of valuesaround fairness, around democracy, around civicresponsibility that are intrinsic to how this country isdeveloped.  And I think if we do want to have apeaceful, mutually respectful, cohesive 2 society, then weneed a betterunderstanding of how those ideas have developed.”
　　Yvonne:  Mr Rammell is clear that fairness,democracy and civic 1 responsibility – that’s being aresponsible member of society – are three values that areextremely important.  As he put it, they’re ‘intrinsic’ to England’s development.  Those values are so basicand important that England would be a very different placewithout them.  And we want a ‘cohesive’ society – whereeveryone is united.
　　IDENT:
　　Yvonne:  For me, one of the most interesting thingsabout living in England is that it really is possible tomeet people from almost any country in the world,especially here at Bush House.  So I asked a few friends,who’ve made England their home, what comes to mind whenthey think of British values? Here’s Sun Chen from China:
　　Sun Chen, China:
　　“You can see how well those historic sites are maintained.
　　So I think maybe that’s part ofBritish values, is to respect their history and alsorespect their heritage.”
　　Yvonne:  In Sun Chen’s opinion, respect for Britishhistory and British heritage, which includes traditions,are core British values.  And Sun Chen mentioned‘heritage’ because he’s noticed how well the oldbuildings and monuments are looked after.
　　Dima, who’s from Ukraine, had lots of ideas on whatchildren should be taught if they are given new lessons onBritish values.  Which three does Dima talk about?
　　Dima:
　　“I think one of the most important values is the devotionto democracy.  I also think that a very important thingabout the way British people express themselves is thefreedom ofspeech.  The other thing which I would also mentionis the feeling of duty before society. Basically, you tryto be useful to the society and not just live for yourself.
　　”
　　Yvonne:  Dima mentioned ‘democracy’ and‘freedomof speech’.  He also explained what he means by ‘dutybefore society’ – which we could also refer to as ‘civicresponsibility’.
　　Finally, I spoke 3 to Helen, who’s also from China.
　　Which two core British values does she think would betaught in schools?
　　Helen:
　　“Well I think British Values would include things likerespecting each other; respect other cultures and otherhuman beings.  And also, being very polite to each other.
　　I think that’s quite important – well, certainly for me!
　　”
　　Yvonne:  So for Helen, an example of those corevalues would be ‘respect’ for people and other cultures,and being ‘polite’.  Now, surely you’ve got to agreethat being polite is intrinsically British?!
　　Helen:
　　“And also, being very polite to each other.  I thinkthat’s quite important – well, certainly for me!”
　　POLITENESS MONTAGEYvonne:  And there we have it – lots of words andexpressions that we can use to discusscore British values - or any other kind of values inEnglish after today’s programme.  But that’s all fortoday – goodbye!