Social Practice of the language. Talk about cultural habits of different countries.

Activities. Lesson 1
Watch the video “What is Culture?” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSCFxDKJWwo
(turn on subtitles) Immediately carry out what is requested.
Write a definition of culture. It can be a word or phrase you identify with the word.

Look at the pictures and describe what you see. Answer the following questions.
1 2

3 4

What are the people in the pictures doing?

Can you tell where they are?

Which cultures and habits are represented in the pictures? What details help you identify them?

Compare these pictures with the way different Mexican communities prepare for a festival. How are they alike
or different?
Look at the pictures and discuss with a classmate what a cultural habit is and write it down.

In small groups, discuss and order the steps to negotiate the topic of a conversation about a cultural habit,
according to your experience.
____ start a conversation and say what you want to talk about
____ reach an agreement
____ listen to other people's suggestions and check you understand them
____ suggest a topic and give reasons for your choice

Describe the pictures to each other and, on the lines provided, write the cultural expression you think they
represent.

_________________ _________________ _________________ _________________ _________________

Are the cultural habits and expressions you identified in previous activity the same all over the world?
Read the text on the next page written by an exchange student. What part of the culture are you
describing?
How does Josefina express her confusion to different cultural habits? Read the text again and write the ideas
that Josefina uses to talk about what is new for her. Then, work in groups and take turns to discuss the
following questions.
Why does Josefina feel confused?

What do you know about student exchanges?

How is the habit Josefina describes different in your community?

 My Life as an Exchange Student
My name is Josefina and I’m a Mexican student.
This month I traveled abroad to the U.S. to study a
major at the University of Chicago. I can tell that
American culture is so different from our culture; their
cultural habits are nothing like ours. Did you know that
the buses here are always on time?
On the first day I went to school, I missed the bus
because I was late. The bus had just left when 1 arrived
to the bus stop. I thought they would wait at least 5
minutes to leave. Yesterday, I was late again, and I went home by foot with Michael, who is in my literature
class. I was ready to go for it and cross the street fast. Fortunately, Michael showed me the right way to
cross the street: you just have to push the button at the pedestrian crossing and cars stop to let you
through. That’s very convenient if you ask me! Everything is so confusing sometimes, but I’m in the process
of getting used to it! Wish me luck!

Josefina has had a cultural shock, which is the impact of a culture and traditions different to her own. How
do you express the following parts of culture in your community?
Write some ideas in the corresponding column below.

cultural habit in my community In ________________________________

festivities

clothing

education

transportation

food

Label the pictures below. All these ingredients except for one are used in one of Chicago's most popular
dishes. Can you guess what it is? Read the conversation in the next activity to find out the additional
ingredient and cross it out.

Watch the video “People Try Mexican Street Food” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSCFxDKJWwo

(turn on subtitles) Immediately carry out what is requested.
Read the following conversation between Josefina and her new friend Michael. Fill in the blanks with a
suitable expression from the box.
I think How´s it going? isn´t it? don’t get me wrong
Sorry to interrupt What do you mean? Personally speaking

Michael: Hey, Josefina! __________________________ Are you getting used to life in Chicago?
Josefina: Oh hi, Michael. Well, I haven't missed any more buses...
Michael: That's great! And what do you think of our food, huh?
Josefina: To be honest, ____________________________ it's too spicy...
Michael: _________________________________
Josefina: Yes, I mean, __________________________, I love Chicago-style
hot dogs, but...
Michael: Oh! _____________________, but I know what you're about to
say, "but too many toppings", right?
Josefina: Right! I don't really like the pickle spear and the sweet relish. They
are too strong for my taste. And
yet, no ketchup?
Michael: _________________________, ketchup is just unnecessary after all the other toppings. No
one really knows why us Chicagoans don't put it on our hot dogs. We should go and ask Mr. Green,
he might have something to say about this. Wait a second...isn't Mexican food supposed to be spicy,
too?
Josefina: Ha, you're right. Quite a few dishes are, but I never put neither salsa nor onion on my sopes! In my
opinion, they taste better this way.
Michael: Sopes? You'll have to tell me all about those! Well one thing we can agree on is that dish deep pizza
is the best kind of pizza, _________________________.
Josefina: Definitely! And look, it seems like we'll be having some for lunch at the cafeteria to

It's your turn now!

If an exchange student was visiting your school, what cultural habits do you think he or she would find
confusing?

Which would you have to explain?

How would you do it?

Do some research about cultural expressions in another country. Go back to the chart on the previous page
and complete the last column.

Write one conversation about cultural habits from different countries. To prepare for it, work in groups to
brainstorm cultural habits that you all consider interesting. Write your ideas in your notebook.
Activities. Lesson 2
Watch the video “Kids Share Their Cultural Tradition”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xerrjjAyZs8
(turn on subtitles) Immediately carry out what is requested.

In groups, discuss the questions. Then shore your knowledge and ideas with the rest of the doss.

What do you know about the cultural traditions in the pictures?

What would you like to know about them?

Read two of the aspects that ore usually included in the description of a cultural habit and discuss and add
two more.
what it is when it started
________________________ _____________________________

Watch the video “Why Do Scottish People Wear a Kilt?”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=ZGNYuXMOk6U
(turn on subtitles) Immediately carry out what is requested.
Read the descriptions students gave of the pieces of clothing. Choose the correct meaning for the
underlined words.
They are the It's a long,
checked-patterned1, colorful3,
wool2, skirts that Embroidered4,
Scottish people piece of fabric.
wear. wear.
Mark (X) the correct option.
1. ___ a) with squares ___ b) with lines ___ c) complicated ___ d) with dots
2. ___ a) color ___ b) brand ___ c) material ___ d) smell
3. ___ a) with no colors ___ b) with bright colors ___ c) simple ___ d) with dark colors
4. ___ a) with dots ___ b) plain and simple ___ c) with lines ___ d) with sewn decorations
Work in pairs. Compare your answers. Then analyze the order of adjectives used in each sentence and
decide which ones are used before the others: the adjectives to describe details, colors or size? _________
Still working in pairs write two sentences to describe the traditional garments used in your community or
state. Used two adjectives or more in each sentence and then check if the order is correct.
1. ______________________________________________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________________________________________

Watch the video “Oaxaca celebrates indigenous culture at Guelaguetza festival”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwAQNOKQ9qk
(turn on subtitles) Immediately carry out what is requested.
Read this conversation out loud.
Paola: Hi, guys! Are you ready to talk about the topic we agreed? Who wants to start?
Pedro: We agreed to talk about the Guelaguetza and other important
indigenous festivals from other countries. I found ideas. I mean, I asked my
family and they gave me some ideas. For the Guelaguetza, we can talk about
the state of Oaxaca in general, the dances, the costumes, the food ...
Jimmy: I don't mean to be rude, but in my opinion, the most important part of
the Guelaguetza are the dances. That is the main part of the event.
Paola: I'm not sure about that. The dances might be important, but I believe
another really important part are the costumes. They only dance with specific costumes.
Pedro: Actually, I think you're right, Paola. Each costume has history and meaning. During the event they
explain the importance of the costumes before they start the dances.
Jimmy: So, the fact is that costumes and dances are connected.
Pedro: That's right.
Paola: Can I add something here before we continue? I don't know if the costumes ... Sorry, what I meant to
say is that I want to know more about the costumes!
What topic talking about?

Look at the conversation in previous exercise and write the expressions used to greet, present the topic, and
make an invitation to participate. Compare your answers with a classmate.

Look at the conversation again and underline in different colors each person's opinion. Discuss with a
classmate, what does each student say? Which expression does each one use?

Answer the questions.

Whose opinion is supported by a fact, Paola's, Jimmy's, or Pedro's? __________________________________
What is the fact?
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Now look at part of the conversation from previous page. Check (X) the purpose of each expression.
Paola: Can I add something here before we continue? I don't know if the costumes ... Sorry, what I meant to
say is that I want to know more about the costumes!
Sorry, what I meant to say is... Can I add something here before we continue?
___ To correct yourself and begin the idea again. ___ To correct yourself and begin the idea again.
___ To interrupt someone politely. ___ To interrupt someone politely.
___ To greet. ___ To greet.

Activities. Lesson 3
Watch the video “Cultural differences”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vO6N0ha22Mk&t=3s
(turn on subtitles) Immediately carry out what is requested.
Read the following definitions. Can you think of a word which is related to it? Write a word which fits the
definition. What do these words in common?
Definition Concept
a. (noun) Food prepared from ground roasted cacao beans.
b. (noun) Strong affection for another person.
c. (noun) A piece of paper or thin cardboard bearing a
greeting or message of sentiment.
d. (noun) The annual recurrence of a date marking a notable
event.
e. (verb) To examine goods or services with intent to buy.

Watch the video “How Valentine's Day is Celebrated Around the World”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAkvrpQVjnA
(turn on subtitles) Immediately carry out what is requested.
Have you ever heard about Cupid? Read these facts about St. Valentine’s Day in two different parts of the
world and answer the questions in small groups.
The United States Japan
• Boys usually gift girls during • Girls usually gift boys
the festivity. during the festivity.
• Gifts are given to close • You must give a gift to your
people. friends or loved ones.
• The celebration takes place • The celebration takes place
on February 14th. on February 14th. Then men
• You can gift flowers, greeting cards, and candy, as give gifts to women on March 14th.
well as more expensive things. • Candy is the only thing you can give as a present.
What are the texts about?
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Do you celebrate Valentine's Day in your country?
__________________________________________________________________________________________
How different is Valentine's Day in the U.S. and in Japan?
__________________________________________________________________________________________
What do you think is the best way to celebrate it?
__________________________________________________________________________________________

Look at the pictures and write a word to describe them on the lines. Did you know that these are gifts that
are culturally-correct to give in many countries?

______________________ _______________________ _________________________ ______________________

Do you know how to describe the things that you like using more than one word? Work in pairs and look at
the following sentences. Can you identify the adjectives? Rewrite them in the correct order.
For Valentine's Day, Barbara got a(n) square / pretty / white purse.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
In turn, she gave her boyfriend a(n) golden / stylish / nice watch.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Barbara heard from Mai, her Japanese friend, that she had given her boyfriend some Belgian / delicious /
artisanal chocolates.
__________________________________________________________________________________________

Read and write the words that were used to describe the words ’tradition' and 'birds'.
'Origami is an old Japanese tradition.'
'Cranes are beautiful tall birds.'

Now discuss the following questions.

Which adjective expresses an opinion?
_________________________________________________________________________________
Which one indicates a nationality?
_________________________________________________________________________________
Which one indicates a physical characteristic?
_________________________________________________________________________________
Which one describes an age?
_________________________________________________________________________________
You have already heard about false starts, but do you know how to end a conversation? Are these formal or
informal ways to say goodbye? Write (F) for Formal or (I) for Informal.
Expressions Formal (F) or Informal (I)
I gotta run. See ya...
Good talking to you. Well, I'll see you around...
Hopefully, we can go on talking about this...
Okay, bye.
It's been quite a pleasure, but I must go...
I'm sorry to interrupt you but I have to leave now.

Activities. Lesson 4
It is time to present your Final Product to the class: a conversation about cultural habits.
In order to share the main Ideas from conversation, you have to agree with others on what the conclusions
of the conversation are. Number the steps to reach a commonly agreed conclusion In a group In the correct
order.
____ Verify with others that the conclusions you are writing represent the view of the majority. _
____ Take notes as you listen, so that you don't forget points being mentioned. _
____ Summarize ideas that are expressed by different members.
____ Listen to others actively, so that you understand the main ideas being discussed.
Before the presentation:
 Get together with your group and go over all your notes from previous sessions.
 Decide if you want to act out a conversation with your group and discuss the cultural aspects you worked
with during the unit or work with another group and have a spontaneous conversation in which both
exchange information about the cultural aspects you researched.
During the conversation:
 Make sure you include language to initiate, develop and enc your conversation, ask questions and provide opinions
about your and you partner's information.
 Remember to pay attention to your voice, body gestures and facial expressions to convey the desired effects.
 While listening to your classmates' conversations, show respect and make notes of comments or questions you
might want to make at the end.
Congratulations! This is great evidence of how well you are doing at learning and communicating in English. Save all
your written work in your Portfolio.

Answer Yes or No.

_____ Can I explain what a cultural habit is and list a few examples?

_____ Can I contribute proposals to start the conversation on cultural habits?

_____ Can I give my opinion on a specific topic connected to cultural habits?

_____ Can l support my opinions with evidence or examples?

_____ Can i listen to others and encourage them to continue the conversation?

_____ Can I ask and answer questions connected to specific cultural habits?