Takeaway What Makes up Colombia E S P > Tourism > Level A1.

2 Starter
and Its People

Instructor: Date:

Learner: Regional Branch:

Program: Center:

CONTENT
•  Let’s Start! •  Let’s Explore! •  Let’s Practice! •  Extension Activity•  Target Words •  Learning Points

Let’s Start!

What an Amazing Culture!

Learning Outcome: Can Do Statements:

Talk about gastronomy and folklore in
social situations. Determine the research
method regarding what a tourist guide
does.
Ask your partner:
•  What do you know about Colombian
history?
•  What are some Colombian cultural
traditions?
•  I can relate the Colombian culture to
its history in a simple way.
•  I can talk about some Colombian
cultural traditions.
•  I can talk about what makes
Colombian culture different from
others.

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 Takeaway What Makes up Colombia E S P > Tourism > Level A1.2 Starter
and Its People

Let’s Explore!

Juan talks about Colombian culture!

Instructions: Read the text below.

Juan: OK, It's time to talk about Colombian culture! What do you know about it?
Maria: I think Colombia's cultural diversity has its roots in some influences from African,
European and the Native Indian people.
Juan: You're right! To understand its culture you need to know some facts about its
history. The first group of people who settled in the Colombian territory were the
indigenous people. Their pottery and gold works show us that they were very
talented. Some of these groups were the Muiscas, the Quimbayas, and the
Tayronas. Then, Spaniards arrived and established themselves in some of the
towns we know today. They brought African slaves, and their communal living
with the indigenous was crucial. That was the origin of our cultural heritage!
Peter: That's so interesting! How about current Colombian cultural traditions? My best
friend, Laura, told me that family ties are very important here. Laura's family
meets every Sunday, and that shows that family interactions are vital. She also
told me about the traditional roles of men and women. Men's responsibilities are
the expenses and money, and women usually stay home with children. Is that
true?
Juan: Well, we can't make those types of generalizations. Remember that those roles
are always changing. Don't forget about religion! Religion's role is important.
Okay, after this little introduction, what do you think makes Colombian culture
different from others?
Maria: From my experience, I think Colombians' personality is a lot different from that
of a person from another country! They're more extroverted. I'm from Italy and
my friends are from the United States, so I can say we're a little bit more
introverted compared to our Colombian friends. I always go to Colombians'
parties and it seems to me they are more dynamic and more enthusiastic!
Peter: Yeah! My Colombian friends are also very proud of their food, weather, and
culture!

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 Takeaway What Makes up Colombia E S P > Tourism > Level A1.2 Starter
Takeaway and Its People

Let’s Practice!

Juan and Maria talk about Colombian culture.

Instructions: Read the question. Select all the correct answers.

Which are the groups of people that first settled in Colombia?

1.  ___ the Mahorí

2.  ___ the Guaraní
3.  ___ the Quimbayas
4.  ___ the Inuits
5.  ___ the Muiscas
6.  ___ the Tayronas
7.  ___ the Mohawks
8.  ___ the Métis

Let’s Practice!

Colombian culture is so interesting!

Instructions: Proofread the sentences. Correct the mistakes.

1.  It is vital for a Colombian to interact with them family.

2.  Women customs are always changing. The same happens with men’s.

3.  Religions role is important in a culture.

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 Takeaway What Makes up Colombia E S P > Tourism > Level A1.2 Starter
Takeaway and Its People

Extension Activity

Comparing our culture with others.

Instructions: Complete the following steps. Fill in the Self-Assessment.

a)  Get a map of Colombia and mark Self-Assessment Yes No

the most important cities and
touristic places. 1.  I get a map of Colombia
and I mark the most
b)  Look for information about important cities and
Colombian cultural traditions in the touristic places.
chosen places. 2.  I look for information
about Colombian
c)  Write one example of one cultural cultural traditions in the
tradition for each place marked. chosen places.
3.  I write an example of a
d)  Contrast with other countries. cultural tradition for
each place marked.
e)  Share your opinions with the class. 4.  I contrast with other
countries.
5.  I share my opinions
with the class.

Target Words

•  root (noun) •  settle (verb)

the origin of something
e.g. I think Colombia's cultural
diversity has its roots in some
influences from African, European and
the Native Indian people.
•  heritage (noun)
a group of possessions that is left to
the next generation
e.g. They brought African slaves, and
their communal living with the
indigenous was crucial. That was the
origin of our cultural heritage!
•  family tie (noun)
the link between family members
e.g. My best friend, Laura, told me that
family ties are very important here.
to establish residence in a place
e.g. The first group of people who
settled in the Colombian territory were
the indigenous people.
•  pottery (noun)
the art of elaborating objects from clay
e.g. Their pottery and gold works show
us that they were very talented.
•  proud (adjective)
to feel satisfied and happy with
something
e.g. My Colombian friends are also very
proud of their food, weather, and
culture!

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 Takeaway What Makes up Colombia E S P > Tourism > Level A1.2 Starter
Takeaway and Its People

Learning Points

Possessive Adjectives

Possessive adjectives are used to show that something belongs to someone or refers
to something.

You can use the possessive adjectives to show possession. Let's take a look at the next
chart to see these adjectives:

Subject
Possessive adjective Examples
pronoun
I My This is my town.
You Your Your country is Colombia.
He His His mother is from Italy.
She Her This is her hotel.
Its cultural traditions are
It Its
conservative.
We Our Our family is very big.
They Their Their works are amazing!

Examples

•  My best friend, Laura, told me that family ties are very important here.
•  Their communal living with the indigenous was crucial.
•  You're right! To understand its culture you need to know some facts about its
history.

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 Takeaway What Makes up Colombia E S P > Tourism > Level A1.2 Starter
Takeaway and Its People

Learning Points

Possessive “s”

Possessive “s” is also used to show belonging. It goes after the person and before the
noun.

For example:

•  Laura's friend is Colombian.

•  Sara's family is very traditional.

With plurals the apostrophe goes after the “s”.

For example:

•  This is the teachers' lounge.

Examples

•  I think Colombia's cultural diversity has its roots in some influences from African,
European and the Native Indian people.
•  I think Colombians' personality is different! They're more extroverted.