Gastrodiplomacy

ESL Brains
PRE-CLASS ACTIVITIES

ESL Brains
Let’s get started
with a warm-up

ESL Brains
part 1/2

Read the sentences and match the word/phrase in bold with its meaning.

1. increase something so that it is three

times bigger than before

A. The scam tries to trick customers 2. a dishonest plan, especially for getting
into giving away confidential bank money
details. 3. take control of something
B. You can use Carol's old bike - the
4. safe or good enough to eat
gears are out of whack, but it still
goes. 5. think of something such as an idea or a
plan
C. It's a multifaceted business,
offering a range of services. 6. do the same thing that someone else has
done
D. They came up with a plan to make
us more efficient in the workplace. 7. containing many different aspects,
features, or qualities
8. not working normally
ESL Brains 4
part 2/2

Read the sentences and match the word/phrase in bold with its meaning.

1. increase something so that it is three

times bigger than before
E. The food in the cafeteria is barely
edible. They really have to change 2. a dishonest plan, especially for getting
their chef money
F. Sales tripled over a six-month 3. take control of something
period. Sales were at 20% and now
4. safe or good enough to eat
they’re at 60%.
G. In 2008, United started charging for 5. think of something such as an idea or a
plan
bags and other airlines quickly
followed suit. Now, all of them do it. 6. do the same thing that someone else has
H. IBM is taking over the smaller done
company. 7. containing many different aspects,
features, or qualities
8. not working normally
ESL Brains 5
part 1/2

Let’s check the answers.

1. increase something so that it is three

times bigger than before

A. The scam tries to trick customers 2. a dishonest plan, especially for getting
into giving away confidential bank money
details. 3. take control of something
B. You can use Carol's old bike - the
4. safe or good enough to eat
gears are out of whack, but it still
goes. 5. think of something such as an idea or a
plan
C. It's a multifaceted business,
offering a range of services. 6. do the same thing that someone else has
done
D. They came up with a plan to make
us more efficient in the workplace. 7. containing many different aspects,
features, or qualities
8. not working normally
ESL Brains 6
part 2/2

Let’s check the answers.

1. increase something so that it is three

times bigger than before
E. The food in the cafeteria is barely
edible. They really have to change 2. a dishonest plan, especially for getting
their chef money
F. Sales tripled over a six-month 3. take control of something
period. Sales were at 20% and now
4. safe or good enough to eat
they’re at 60%.
G. In 2008, United started charging for 5. think of something such as an idea or a
plan
bags and other airlines quickly
followed suit. Now, all of them do it. 6. do the same thing that someone else has
H. IBM is taking over the smaller done
company. 7. containing many different aspects,
features, or qualities
8. not working normally
ESL Brains 7
In a moment, you’ll watch a video titled:

Foodie culture is now part of foreign

policy — it's gastrodiplomacy

ESL Brains
Watch the video and answer the questions.

A. When did the Thai government come up

with and start the program?

B. What is gastrodiplomacy?

C. What other countries decided to follow

suit and promote their cuisine overseas?

D. What city is known as the refugee

capital of the US?

ESL Brains 9
Let’s check the answers.

A. When did the Thai government come up In 2002.

with and start the program?

B. What is gastrodiplomacy? It means using food to extend a country's cultural influence.

C. What other countries decided to follow South Korea, Peru, Malaysia, Lebanon, Taiwan, Japan, the
suit and promote their cuisine overseas? USA

D. What city is known as the refugee Lancaster in Pennsylvania

capital of the US?

ESL Brains 10
IN-CLASS ACTIVITIES

ESL Brains
Let’s talk!

ESL Brains
Discuss the questions.

● What do you think about promoting a country through

gastrodiplomacy?

● Do you like the idea of the program connecting refugees and

residents through food in neighbourhoods?

● Is food culture an important element of your country’s

identity? What’s the role of food?

● What’s your favourite foreign dish?

ESL Brains 13
 Think of a dish you like
(from your country or another).
Work in pairs and describe the dish to your
partner. Tell them why you chose this dish.

ESL Brains 14
Let’s learn some vocabulary!

ESL Brains
part 1/2

Study these food idioms/expressions and their meanings. Then, complete them
with the correct words in the boxes.
bacon beans bun cakes cucumber

nut plate salt sour

A. turn ____________ : fail or become unpleasant

B. have a lot on one’s ____________ : have a lot of things to worry about or deal
with

C. spill the ____________ : tell people secret information

D. bring home the ____________ : earn money to support your family

E. take something with a pinch of ____________ : doubt the truth or value of

something

ESL Brains 16
part 2/2

Study these food idioms/expressions and their meanings. Then, complete them
with the correct words in the boxes.
bacon beans bun cakes cucumber

nut plate salt sour

F. have a ____________ in the oven: be pregnant

G. be as cool as a ____________ : be very calm and relaxed, especially in a difficult

situation

H. a hard ____________ to crack: a problem that is very difficult to solve or a

person who is very difficult to understand

I. sell like hot ____________ : be bought quickly and in large numbers

ESL Brains 17
part 1/2

Let’s check the answers.

bacon beans bun cakes cucumber

nut plate salt sour

A. sour
turn ____________ : fail or become unpleasant

B. have a lot on one’s ____________

plate : have a lot of things to worry about or deal
with

C. beans
spill the ____________ : tell people secret information

D. bring home the ____________

bacon : earn money to support your family

E. take something with a pinch of ____________

salt : doubt the truth or value of
something

ESL Brains 18
part 2/2

Let’s check the answers.

bun cakes cucumber nut

F. have a ____________
bun in the oven: be pregnant

G. be as cool as a ____________
cucumber : be very calm and relaxed, especially in a difficult
situation

H. nut
a hard ____________ to crack: a problem that is very difficult to solve or a
person who is very difficult to understand

I. sell like hot ____________

cakes : be bought quickly and in large numbers

ESL Brains 19
Let’s talk!

ESL Brains
Discuss the questions.

● When was the last time you had a lot on your plate? What happened?

● Have you ever spilt the beans? Why did you do it?

● Do you remember any relationship that turned sour? Why did it happen?

● Who brings home the bacon in your family?

● When was the last time someone told you a story, but you took it with a
pinch of salt?

● Do you know anyone who has a bun in the oven right now?

● When was the last time you faced a difficult situation? Was it an exam or a
difficult day at work? Were you as cool as a cucumber?

● Who do you consider a hard nut to crack?

ESL Brains 21
THANKS!

ESL Brains