UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL DE COLOMBIA

DIRECCIÓN ACADÉMICA- SEDE BOGOTÁ

DIRECCIÓN NACIONAL DE INNOVACIÓN ACADÉMICA – DNIA

PROGRAMA DE SEGUNDA LENGUA- PLE

 PROGRAMA DE SEGUNDA LENGUA- PLE

ENGLISH LEVEL I

SUBJECT CODE: 1000044

CONTENT: SIX UNITS

 UNIT 4

AROUND THE WORLD

EASTERN vs. WESTERN CULTURE
 SPEAKING
Activity 1: Some countries are associated with certain traditions, habits, and even colors.
Can you associate the images with one particular country? Be ready to support your answer with a classmate. (Classwork)

These
expressions
may be useful:
I think…
Probably…
Perhaps…
https://www.flickr.com/pho
tos/iphnk/galleries/7215763
It looks like…
3203468846/

https://www.flickr.com/photo
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncle_Sam s/valkyrieh116/5295332884

https://pixabay.com/es/masaje- http://maxpixel.freegreatpicture.com/Vietnam-Rice-Fields-
tailand%C3%A9s-masaje-bienestar-2096579/ Indochina-Hoian-Conical-Hat-1838305 https://www.flickr.com/photos/jimmiehomeschoolmom/527453507
Activity 2.1: Generally, countries are classified depending on their location and their culture.
Which countries do you think are considered “Western”, and which ones are called “Eastern”?
Drag each text box under the corresponding title.

EASTERN Singapore WESTERN

U.S.
England Colombia

Mexico

China
Thailand

India
Spain
Japan
Nepal
Vietnam
TIP: Have you done this classification from a geographical, or a cultural point of view?
Discuss with your classmates.
 READING
Activity 2.2: Read this information and discuss if the previous classification is based on location or
culture. After reading the text once again, do you agree with this dichotomy? Give your opinión.
THE EAST–WEST DICHOTOMY
In sociology, the East–West dichotomy is the perceived differences between the Eastern world and Western
cultures. Cultural rather than geographical in division, the boundaries of East and West are not fixed, but vary
according to the criteria adopted by individuals using the term.
Historically, Asian and Islamic nations have been regarded as East, while Australia, Europe, New Zealand,
South America and North America are regarded as West. This term is generally used in discussing
management, economics, international relations, and linguistics.
Conceptually, the boundaries are cultural, rather than geographical. As a result, Australia is typically grouped
in the West, while Islamic nations are, regardless of location, grouped in the East.
The culture line can be particularly difficult to place in regions of cultural diversity such as Bosnia and
Herzegovina, whose citizens may themselves identify as East or West depending on ethnic or religious
background.
Further, residents of different parts of the world perceive the boundaries differently; for example, some
European scholars define Russia as East, but most agree that it is Western.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East%E2%80%93West_dichotomy
 READING
Activity 3: Read the texts about African countries, Arab countries, and India. Which traditions and habits do
you find the most interesting? Discuss with your groups and give reasons for your choice. (Classwork)

African Countries
• When greeting people in a home, it is considered improper if the guest ignores
any person present. Guests are expected to acknowledge and greet every person
at a social occasion, including children and babies, by shaking hands. When
shaking hands, it is appropriate for the guest to first greet the person on his/her
right-hand side and work their way left.
• Guests are expected to begin by greeting the most elderly person present. The
same ritual is expected to be observed upon leaving as well as arriving.
• It is considered rude and inappropriate in many of South Africa's cultures to look
an elder or a superior in the eye when one is being spoken to. Humility and
tradition dictate that one should cast one's eyes downwards in such a situation.
This can easily be misinterpreted as a sign of inattention or indifference, when it
actually indicates great deference and respect.
Adapted from: http://www.yukonhostels.com/customs.htm
 READING
Arab Countries

• Throughout most of the Middle East, the left hand is reserved for bodily hygiene and considered unclean. Thus, the right
hand should be used for eating. Shaking hands with one's left hand is considered an insult.
• In Iraq, the “Thumbs up” gesture is considered an offensive insult.
• In some Arab cultures, it is considered disrespectful to not stand when speaking to elders or when they enter a room.
Similarly it is expected that elders will be the first to be greeted and served in social gatherings.
• Entering the living room with shoes on is considered rude.
• In most Arab countries, it is considered polite and a sign of friendship to hold hands when walking. This does not have the
romantic connotations it does in the West.
• Bringing all five fingers together with the fingers pointing upwards is a sign meaning - slow down, give me five minutes. It
should not be mistaken for a fist and a show of threat.
• In Morocco, after shaking hands the right hand is commonly placed against the heart - a sign of friendship. In other settings
when a handshake is not possible - such as across the street, or when one's hand is dirty - the right hand placed over the
heart can substitute for the absent handshake.
• It is not uncommon to be invited to lunch or dine by somebody you are meeting for the very first time; it is best not to
decline if you cannot accept the invitation, but rather postpone, adding "inch'Allah" (if God wills it) to your offer of a
raincheck.
• Hosts will often feed guests until literal exhaustion - and still offer more. Westerners, who usually see insistence after their
refusal as a sign of rudeness, should leave this mentality at the doorstep, and instead refuse with good humour; perhaps see
it as a game, a battle of wills. It may be advisable to slow the pace of consumption so that when offered more, you can
accept the first few times, then finally decline.

Adapted from: http://www.yukonhostels.com/customs.htm

 READING
India
• Entering the "pooja" room of a house (where the altar of the gods is placed) with shoes on is considered
impolite in Hindu culture.
• In most Hindu homes, shoes are not permitted beyond the foyer. Keeping with Hindu norms of
hospitality, the hosts will never object if you do walk in with shoes (especially foreigners). Though it is
appreciated if the guests do take their shoes off before entering. If it is a traditional floor-sit-down
dinner, then the shoes most definitely must come off.
• While dining in a Hindu household, food will be offered multiple times. These are generally second and
third "rounds" and it is fine to decline them.
• Like in many other countries, asking for coffee (especially in south India) or tea will be polite.
• Accepting goods or making payments with the left hand (the left hand is considered unfit and dirty) is
considered impolite. The right hand should always be used. However, using both hands together is a sign
of respect. Eating should be done with only the right hand.
• While giving someone a gift, it is polite to remove the price tag. It is considered inappropriate to indicate
the value of your gifts.
• Often, calling someone older than you by their first name can be offensive. Either avoid using the name
during conversation or use Mr./Ms./Mrs. <Last name>. You can also address them generically as 'Uncle'
(for men) or 'Aunty' (for women).
• It is customary to stand up when an older person enters the room. It is also impolite to sit on a chair /
sofa if the elder person is sitting on the floor / carpet. This does not happen nowadays since most places
you visit will have sofas or chairs.
Adapted from: http://www.yukonhostels.com/customs.htm
Activity 4: Read carefully again the texts about habits and traditions, and complete the
chart with the information required.

Countries African countries Arabian India

countries
Habits
Greetings

Use of hands

Entering a home

Respect for the

Elder people
Eating etiquette
 REMINDERS

In order to make comparisons, take into account these expressions:

Examples of use:
To express equality:
Family traditions in Colombia are as
X is as ______ as Y. important as those in some Eastern
countries.

To compare: Nepal is similar to Thailand in that in

X is similar to Y. both countries, most people can eat
meat.
X is similar to Y in that …
Western countries are different from
Eastern countries in that the decision-
To contrast: making in a family is not focused on
X is different from X. parents.

X is different from Y in that …

 WRITING
Activity 5: Compare the habits and traditions of the countries you completed in Activity 4,
and write down the similarities and differences you find.

1. African countries are similar to Arabic countries in that they ________________________

2. India and Arabic countries are similar in that both ________________________________
3. African countries are different from Arabic countries in that ________________________
LISTENING
Activity 5.1:
American Vs Colombian culture
Many foreigners come to Colombia for different reasons: for work,
for research, for business, for studying, and sometimes, even for
love, but this American missionary decided to come to Colombia to
do social service. Listen to his views on the Colombian culture
against his, and be ready to answer the questions.
Adapted from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHIbrOvO7uo

What aspects about Colombian culture does he mention? (Mark your choices with an “X”)

People’s personality __X__

People talking about their national heritage _____
People’s physical appearance _____ People talking about traditional marriage _____
People juggling on the street for money _____ People cooking traditional dishes together _____
People dressed up for special national holidays _____ People dancing at every single celebration _____
LISTENING
Activity 5.2:
Amazing Colombian Culture
Now listen to his views on the Colombian culture, and
choose True or False according to the listening. Drag the
answers.
Adapted from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhnE70tsb04

Colombians are great people anywhere in the country (T) (F)

Poor people starve because they only have eggs and rice to eat (T) (F)

After his mission in Colombia, he went straight home because he was nostalgic (T) (F)
SPEAKING
Activity 5.3:
Amazing Colombian Culture

Taking into account the opinions of the two missionaries in Activities 5.1 and 5.2, discuss the
following questions with a classmate. Take notes. Use your notebook. (Classwork)

1. In the first listening, do you agree with his view about our personality? Give reasons to support your
answer.
_________________________________________________________________________________
2. Do you agree with the idea that Street performers do lots of juggling activities to support their families,
or is it just some business?
_________________________________________________________________________________
3. In the second listening, what makes him feel so attached to Colombian people?
_________________________________________________________________________________
WRITING
Activity 6:
Based on Activity 4, 5.1, and 5.2, write a text about the similarities and differences
you found between those Eastern countries, with Colombia. Be ready to write a
conclusion expressing your own point of view.
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________