Advanced Conversation Material #10 New Cultures Exercise 1: Read Aloud A. Read the article below. (3-4 minutes) 次の文章を読んでください ( 所要時間目安 :3~4 分 ) We re finally here! I can t wait to see the places we read about on the Internet. It would be great if we could get other recommendations from the locals, too. P a g e 1
Meeting people from different places involves dealing with different cultures. Culture varies from one place to another. Something that is widely accepted in one culture may not be tolerable in another. The same applies when we find others beliefs and traditions unique or peculiar. For instance, standing too close to a person you re talking to is common in Middle East and South America, but it s considered rude in some parts of North America. Another common example is eye contact. In some Asian countries, people usually avoid eye contact. However, many Western cultures consider eye contact necessary in social interactions. Loudness of voice, speaking pace, and responses in conversations also vary from culture to culture. Knowing different cultures can help us understand people from other countries. It helps us become more objective and less judgmental in our social interactions with people from various cultures. B. Quick Q&A (2-3 minutes) 1. Do you like learning about other cultures? Why or why not? 2. What culture would you like to learn more about, and why? 3. What foreign tradition do you find unusual? Why? 4. What tradition from your country do most foreigners find unusual? 5. Would you be willing to live in another country with a culture that is totally different from yours? P a g e 2
Exercise 2: Say It! (3 minutes) Read each word and sample sentence below. Next, use the word in your own sentence. 次の単語と例文を読んでから それぞれの単語を使って自分でも文を作ってみましょう Sample Sentence Your Own Sentence culture shock カルチャーショック aware 知っている feel at home 心休まる practice 習慣 行動 differences 違い rude 不作法な I experienced culture shock when I first visited South Africa. 初めて南アフリカを訪れたとき 私はカルチャーショ ックを受けた Travelling makes people more aware of other cultures. 旅をすることで異文化への理解が深まる I feel at home in this country even though the culture is quite new to me. 初めて触れる文化なのに この国にいると心が休まる In Latin America, hugging as a greeting is a common practice. ラテンアメリカにおいては 挨拶がわりの抱擁は一般 的な習慣だ We worked well with them on this project despite our cultural differences. 文化の違いをものともせず このプロジェクトにおけ る彼らと我々の協働は成功した In some cultures, it s rude to ask about personal details like age. ある文化においては 年齢などの個人的なことを質問するのは無礼にあたる P a g e 3
Exercise 3: Complete the Dialogue (5 minutes) Complete the dialogue using your own answers. You can use any of the new vocabulary words and expressions, if possible. 好きな言葉を入れて会話を完成させましょう 今日学習した単語や表現を使っても構いません We ll be visiting your country for the first time next month. Can you tell me what should we expect? (tell your tutor what they can see or expect in your country) Thanks! I m also excited to interact with the locals. Can you tell me how we can get around the city? (answer your tutor s question) All right. Thanks for that information. How about you? Do you have any plans to visit other countries? (think of a specific country that you would like to visit; share the reason why you want to go there) I ve seen their tourist commercials on TV, and it does seem like a great place. I hope we could travel together soon, too. (tell your tutor what you think about his/her idea, then suggest a place you could visit) P a g e 4
Exercise 4: Defend Yourself! (5 minutes) Pick your stand on each of the following items. Explain your choice. Your tutor will be asking follow-up questions. Make sure you can convince him/her! 次のテーマについて あなたの意見に合う考えを選択肢から選び その理由を説明してください それについて講師が質問するので 納得させられるように答えてください OPTION A OPTION B Learning about new cultures I would like to learn about other cultures because I don t have much interest in learning new cultures. Responding to a new culture I tend to become culture shocked when faced with a totally different culture. I can easily adapt to new cultures and situations. Meeting new people I m excited to meet new people from other countries because I don t feel comfortable meeting foreigners because P a g e 5
Exercise 5: Conversation Starter (5 minutes) Pick one of the four scenarios below, and start a conversation with your tutor. 次の 4 つのシナリオから好きなものを選んで講師と会話を始めましょう Share the first time you experienced culture shock. Identify the possible reasons why it was so surprising to you. Share a habit or tradition from your country that is usually weird or shocking to foreigners. If you could be born again in a country with a different culture, which one would you pick? Give the factors that attracted you to this culture. Think of an impractical tradition in your country that you d like people to stop doing. Defend how it is no longer necessary. P a g e 6