MOUNT CARMEL COLLEGE, INC.

3200 Baler, Aurora

HIGHER EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
A.Y. 2022-2023
2ND SEMESTER

GE 5: MIDTERM ACTIVITIES
Name:
Course/Year/Section:

INDIVIDUAL Activity 1: Some distinct manners and practices of different cultures

Directions: Write TRUE if the statement expresses truth about the countries’ distinct practices; otherwise, write FALSE.
*Most of the items are taken from “Multicultural manners: New rules of etiquette for a changing society” of
Dresser (1996).

A. On Body Language
_________1. When greeting, people from India hold their hands together in front of their chins in a prayer-like position.
_________2. When greeting, most Latinos expect body contact. Hugging and kissing on the cheek are acceptable for both
same sex and the opposite sex.
_________3. When greeting, most Middle Easteners, especially Muslims, avoid body contact with the opposite sex, but
men may embrace and kiss one another.
_________4. When greeting, most Armenians expect some body contact. Women kiss once on each cheek and hug; men
shake hands.
_________5. When greeting Orthodox Jews, avoid body contact with the opposite sex.

B. On Verbal Expressions
_________6. Avoid wishing “Happy Birthday” or “Merry Christmas” to Jehovah’s Witnesses.
_________7. After receiving praise, many Asians feel uncomfortable and embarrassed. They may even consider praise as
a form of subtle criticism.
_________8. Some Asian cultures consider it rude to say no and will go to extremes to avoid doing so.
_________9. Open criticism should be avoided when dealing with Asian employees, as this may lead to loss of face.
_________10. Do not assume a married woman has her husband’s last name.

C. On Classroom Behavior
_________11. To avoid emotional upset for Korean children and parents, do not write students’ names in red – this has
death connotations.
_________12. If an Asian student bows to you, nod your head in response.
_________13. Those from educational systems outside US often consider informal, noisy classrooms as places of play,
not learning.
_________14. Students from outside US are often shocked by some teachers’ behavior – sitting on desks, wearing casual
clothing, encouraging students to call them by their first names, engaging in humorous banter.
_________15. In Jamaica and other parts of the Carribean, teachers are respected and revered and rarely challenged.

Names:

Course/Year/Section:

WITH A PARTNER
Activity 2: Communicating with Filipinos: An Expat’s Confessions

Directions:

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 MOUNT CARMEL COLLEGE, INC.
3200 Baler, Aurora
HIGHER EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
A.Y. 2022-2023
2ND SEMESTER

A. With a partner, interview a member of an expatriate community in the Philippines. An expatriate (locally
referred as ‘expat’) is a non-Filipino person who is temporarily residing in the Philippines for business or
work purposes (or any non-Filipino person who is temporarily residing in the Philippines). Use the following
interview guide questions.

1. What are your pleasant experiences in communicating with Filipinos?

2. What are the challenging situations you have encountered?

3. How did you deal with these challenges?

B. Write a letter to (any) non-Filipino person who plans to reside in the Philippines someday. In this letter, give
this person advice about how to communicate with Filipinos.

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 MOUNT CARMEL COLLEGE, INC.
3200 Baler, Aurora
HIGHER EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
A.Y. 2022-2023
2ND SEMESTER

Names:

Course/Year/Section:

Do this activity with a partner.

Activity 3:
(a.) Varieties of English
1. Vocabulary: British vs American
Directions: Read the following examples of two varieties of English that focus on expressions/idioms. Classify
them accordingly and write them inside the correct column, and include its meaning. Note that some terms from the list
may be used by both varieties.
Examples:
 cookie vs. biscuit
 current account vs. checking account

1. underground economy vs. black economy

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 MOUNT CARMEL COLLEGE, INC.
3200 Baler, Aurora
HIGHER EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
A.Y. 2022-2023
2ND SEMESTER

2. counterclockwise vs. anticlockwise

3. elementary school vs. junior school
4. expiry date vs. expiration date
5. rubbish vs. garbage
6. parentheses vs. brackets
7. driving licence vs. driver’s license
8. fortnight vs. two weeks
9. raincoat vs. mackintosh
10. whisky vs. whiskey
11. knock on wood vs. touch wood
12. a drop in the bucket vs. a drop in the ocean
13. a home from home vs. a home away from home
14. take it with a pinch of salt vs. take it with a grain of salt
15. a new lease of life vs. a new lease on life

AMERICAN ENGLISH BRITISH ENGLISH

Examples: cookie biscuit Meaning
checking account current account
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

2. Pronunciation: American vs. Philippine English

Directions: Classify them accordingly and write them in the correct column.
American English Philippine English
1. elementary
elemenTAry vs. eleMENTary
2. street
istreet vs. street
3. bridge
brids vs. bridge
4. asks
ass vs. asks
5. thought
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 MOUNT CARMEL COLLEGE, INC.
3200 Baler, Aurora
HIGHER EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
A.Y. 2022-2023
2ND SEMESTER

thought vs. tot

6. closes
closez vs. closes
7. that
dat vs. that
8. thin
tin vs. thin
9. measure
measure vs. meazure
10. cheap
chip vs. cheap

(b.) Legalese vs. Textese

Directions: Fill in the columns by writing the expressions or vocabulary you commonly encounter in the registers
indicated below. Make sure to write their meaning. Give at least 10 for each column.
Legalese Textese
e.g., whereas in contrast or comparison LOL Laugh out loud
with the fact that
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

(c.) Formal vs. Informal Register

Directions: Analyze each utterance whether it belongs to formal or informal register. Write your answer on the
space provided before each number.
Codes: FR for formal register
IR for informal register

_____1. Just a sec, please!

_____2. Could you please hold on for a while? I will just call her.
_____3. I really apologize. I do not mean to hurt you.
_____4. So sorry for my mistake.
_____5. Am not interested in your party.
_____6. I cannot make it to your party. I will make it up next time.

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 MOUNT CARMEL COLLEGE, INC.
3200 Baler, Aurora
HIGHER EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
A.Y. 2022-2023
2ND SEMESTER

_____7. Good morning, Ms. Lumasac!

_____8. Hello, Ma’am Edz!
_____9. Our sincerest congratulations on your forthcoming promotion!
_____10. Congrats! You made it!