Cockney Culture
WORKSHEET
Vocabulary
Cockney
Traditionally, a working-class person from East London, known for their unique accent and slang.Working-class
People who typically have jobs involving manual labor or service industries, often earning lower incomes and associated with traditional trades or industries.Upper-class
The highest social group, often associated with wealth and privilege.Slang
Informal words or phrases used by a specific group.Community
A group of people who live in the same area or share something in common.Tradition
A custom or way of doing something that has existed for a long time.Charity
An organization that helps people in need.Lifestyle
The way a person lives, including their habits and attitudes.Pearly King/Queen
A person who wears clothes decorated with shiny buttons to raise money for charity.Generations
Groups of people born and living around the same time.
Grammar Points
Present Simple Tense:
Used for facts and regular actions (e.g., "Cockneys are known for their unique accent").Past Simple Tense:
Used to describe completed actions in the past (e.g., "In the past, a Cockney was a working-class person born in East London").Relative Clauses:
Used to give extra information (e.g., "Cockneys are people who live in East London").Comparatives:
Used to compare two things (e.g., "Being Cockney is more about community than location").Modals (can, might, should):
Used to express possibility, ability, or advice (e.g., "Today, Cockneys can come from many different backgrounds").Future Simple Tense:
Used to express predictions (e.g., "Cockney culture will continue to connect communities").
Activities
Activity 1
Writing Practice
Instructions
Write 3-5 sentences describing what you think makes someone a Cockney. Use the following words: accent, community, tradition, lifestyle.
Activity 2
Complete the Sentence
Instructions
Use the words in the box to complete the sentences about Cockney culture.
Words:
charity | working-class | Pearly King | Sylheti | accent
Cockneys are known for their unique _______.
A _______ is someone who wears clothes decorated with shiny buttons.
Many Cockneys were traditionally part of the _______ community.
Pearly Kings and Queens raise money for _______.
Saif calls himself a _______ Cockney.
Activity 3
Personal Connection
Instructions
Discuss in pairs or small groups:
Describe a tradition or cultural feature in your own community that reminds you of Cockney culture. Use words like community, heritage, tradition, or charity.
Share your answers with the class.
Questions
What is a Cockney traditionally known for and how has the meaning of being Cockney changed over time?
Do you agree that being Cockney is more about lifestyle than location? Why?
Who are the Pearly Kings and Queens, and what do they do?
TRANSCRIPT
Cockney Culture
NARRATOR:
Have you heard the word "Cockney" before? In the past, a Cockney was a working-class person born in East London. Cockneys are known for their unique accent and use of playful slang words. One special part of Cockney culture is the tradition of Pearly Kings and Queens, who wear clothes decorated with shiny buttons. They raise money for charity and celebrate the history of working-class Londoners. Cockneys are known for their sense of humor, strong community, and pride in their traditions.
This is Saif. He calls himself a "Sylheti Cockney." His family is from Bangladesh, but he was born in East London.
SOUNDBITE - Saif Osmani:
“Cockney is a lifestyle. It's not just a language, it's the way we live, the way we communicate.”
NARRATOR:
A new study from the University of Warwick says that being Cockney is not only about being from East London anymore. Today, Cockneys can come from many different ethnic backgrounds and live in other parts of London. When people think of Cockneys, they often imagine someone like Clive Bennett, a Pearly King. So what does he think about this new way of being a Cockney?
SOUNDBITE - Clive Bennett:
“Bringing a lot of Londoners together. Maybe they've got their own individual identities in certain areas. Well, it's lovely, isn't it? One big community of London, you know, and let's all be Cockneys. Why not?”
NARRATOR:
So, what is a Cockney today? The study says it can be anyone who is not upper-class and lives in London—or even in nearby areas like Essex. For others, being Cockney is simple. Gloria, who works in a traditional café in East London, tells us what she thinks.
SOUNDBITE - Gloria:
“Just being down to earth, I suppose.”
NARRATOR:
Whether Cockneys are changing or staying the same, one thing is certain: people are proud of Cockney culture. They want to celebrate the language, traditions, and history that have connected London communities for generations.