Buckingham Palace, red roses, and fish and chips - we're all familiar with these images of England. But what's life really like in Old Blighty (colloquial name for England)? Alex Williams knows - he's a 13-year-old in Year 8 (Form 2) at Glyn Technology School in Surrey, England. Here's the inside scoop on Alex's life in England. On weekdays, the Williams' household is a hive of activity as Alex and his younger siblings - Ellie and Ollie - get ready for school. After a bowl of Coco Pops and a glass of juice, Alex dons his uniform (a striped tie, white shirt, blue blazer and grey trousers) and heads for school. 'I walk to school with my friend, James,' he says. When the bell rings at 8.40am, Alex is ready for his first of five lessons. He studies 14 subjects and Spanish is one of his favourites. 'In England we have to learn a foreign language. I picked Spanish because I've heard that it's going to be one of the most popular languages in the future,' he says. 'And it's useful when we go on holiday to Spain.' Not all learning in Alex's school involves a teacher at the front of the classroom. In Year 6, Alex went to BBC's studio to speak on the radio. The BBC is Britain's bastion of broadcasting, producing quality radio and television programmes. 'I was on the Big Toe Radio Show [a children's show]. I took part in a quiz on space,' recalls Alex. After school finishes at 3pm, Alex does homework for an hour. 'I don't have exams, but I have regular tests,' he says. But there's still plenty of time for relaxing in England. 'After finishing my homework, I make plastic models of planes and cars, and then eat dinner with my family,' says Alex. Some English people (like Alex) are adventurous in their eating habits, perhaps because England is such a multicultural country. 'I like lasagne and spicy chicken,' he says. Like many English, Alex and his family enjoy nature and pets. 'Sometimes we go cycling in the countryside or spend time in the garden with our guinea pigs, Toffee and Treacle,' he says. Cleaning the guinea pigs' cage is one of the ways Alex helps around the house. 'I also help look after Ellie and Ollie,' he says. 'But I get #5 [$70] a week for pocket money.' When Alex isn't spending time with his family, he's doing karate kicks or thrashing it out on the tennis court. The English are passionate about sport and many belong to sports clubs. 'I play four hours of tennis a week at our neighbourhood club. I don't see tennis as my career, but I want to become really good at it,' says Alex. Between his extracurricular activities, Alex sees his friends. And like most teenagers, his use of English includes a few words that would puzzle his parents. 'My friends and I say 'wicked' and 'class' which mean cool,' he says. As for the future, Alex has a 'class' global vision. 'If I could wish for anything, I'd wish for an end to crime and world hunger,' he says. 'And a good job and a happy family life when I'm older,' he adds. Let's hope Alex's wishes come true! For information about life in England, visit www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk