Learning and learning 

CULTURAL SHOCK

Tuesday 14, March 2013

INTRODUCCTION

English speakers around the world are a huge group of different cultural, linguistic and pragmatic differences. Thus, students must know that behind a language we have a culture which gives us a great quantity of values, ideas and principles that can cause many cultural shocks. Then, this blog is going to develop a communicative perspective trying to include some linguistic issues. 

ACTIVITY 1

1. Look in the map bellow and select two country.
2. Look for inhabitants´ customs and daily routines.
3. Figure out the similarities with American culture.
4. Figure out their typical clothes as well as new fashion in that country.
5. Make a drawing of a person applying all what you learn form that culture.
6. Listen the song “Imagine” complete the lyrics (Annex a) and give your personal opinion about how culture could be tolerant with other cultures.

ACTIVITY 2

1. Watch the video “Cultural shock for amazon student” at https://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/wordsinthenews/2013/03/130320_vwitn_amazon_student.shtml

2. Look for some words in the following alphabet soup.

Responsability 

rainforest

concrete

jungle

indegenous

community

far

3. Create some concepts using those words.
4. Talk with a partner about the video “Cultural shock of a amazon student” and try to think about how you would feel in another country trying to explore and show your culture.
5.  Present orally to your Partners your thoughts about the topic. Use the expression bellow to support your ideas. Examine the video to improve your understanding. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkPN9-BSqOQ

Example: I think that cultural shock is a big problem.

Let me illustrate,

For example,

For instance,

To give you an example,

Let me give you an example,

I think that . . .

I don't think that . . .

In my opinion . . .

6. Listen the following audio about expressions giving opinion and improve your pronunciation. https://www.eslgold.com/images/sp_supp_opin.mp3
7. Finally, read the dialog and practice the expression with your teacher and classmates.

ANNEX A

Imagine there's no _______

It's easy if you try

No hell below us

Above us only sky

_________ all the people living for today

Imagine there's no _______

It isn't hard to do

Nothing to kill or die for

And no religion too

Imagine all the people living life in _______

You, you may say

I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one

I hope some day you'll join us

And the world will be as one

Imagine no _________

I wonder if you can

No need for greed or hunger

A brotherhood of man

__________ all the people sharing all the world

You, you may say

I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one

I hope some day you'll join us

And the world will live as one                                  By John Lennon