Try out

Task I.Discuss the following questions in pairs or in small groups.Some possible answers are given in the brackets.

1.Are there differences in body language of various cultures？Any examples？（greeting each other，waving goodbye，praising，making fun of people，cheering…）

2.Is it better to marry someone of the same cultural background？（beliefs on life，money，parental responsibilities，faithfulness，in-laws…）

3.How do you think“Chinese Culture”differs from“American Culture”or any other foreign culture？（food，table manners，holiday customs，ideology，language，traditions…）

4.Would you prefer to live in a monoculture or a multi-racial society？Why？（skin colors，different religions，stereotypes，prejudice，culture shock…）

5.Why is it important to protect traditions？（sustainable development，future generations，heritage，duty…）

6.What would the world be like if discrimination and prejudice were eliminated？（conflicts，wars，peace，harmony，understanding，friendship…）

Additional topics for you to discuss.

1.List some well-known artists who are famous for cinema，theatre，literature，ballet，opera，classical music or painting in different countries.

2.Describe some customs of celebrating New Year’s Eve around the world.

3.Describe some traditional wedding ceremonies around the globe.

4.Make a list of the advantages and disadvantages of global English.

Task II.Practice the following conversations with your partner by doing the necessary translation.

Conversation 1

（At Steve’s Christmas party）

Steve：Mary，Merry Christmas.

Mary：Merry Christmas，Steve.

Steve：1.（圣诞节真好啊，总会有难忘的回忆。）

Mary：Yes，me too.Four years ago I was in Nepal and I had a chance to spend it at Chitwan Jungle Lodge in Chitwan National Park.

Steve：That is almost right on the Indian border.But，2.（我想尼泊尔是不庆祝圣诞节的啊。）

Mary：You are right on both matters.Christmas is not celebrated in Nepal because they’re Hindu mostly.

Steve：So what happened there？

Mary：There were sixty-four guests at this lodge.Some were Europeans，and my friends and I were the only four Americans.But，you know，3.（我们还是过得很不错，找到了一个普通的树并装饰了它）with whatever we had in our suitcases and then at the evening meal we sang some Christmas carols.

Steve：Well，4.（你们有这样的圣诞经历听起来真是好极啦！）

Mary：Yeah.

Steve：You are from St.Paul，Minnesota.And how do you usually celebrate Christmas in St.Paul？

Mary：On Christmas Eve，carol singing，midnight church services and going out to the pub are some of the activities that we enjoy.

Steve：What about on Christmas Day？

Mary：Well，5.（我觉得那是圣诞节最让人兴奋的时间了！我家人通常早早起床，拆看礼物，然后一起吃早餐。）Then we will go to church and return home to spend the rest of the day together.

Conversation 2

（In Pat’s dormitory）

Ted：Hi，Pat.What are you doing？

Pat：1.（我正在读一本关于非洲的书。这书太令人着迷了。）

Ted：Really？What does it say about Africa？

Pat：Africa is a vast continent，consisting of almost a hundred countries.2.（非洲人有着十分丰富的文化和风俗，并且都十分出色。）

Ted：Fantastic！What customs are particularly interesting？

Pat：For example，in Ethiopia 3.（招待客人的风俗就是举行一场持续几小时的“bunna”咖啡盛典。那真是一项了不起的工作啊！）

Ted：For hours，how come？

Pat：Well，4.（因为对自家的咖啡深感自豪，主人会亲手烘烤和研磨咖啡豆），and places them in a special pot.After brewing the“bunna”，it is served in special cups.This ceremony can take place three times.

Ted：No wonder it can take hours.I believe that is the nicest way to honor the guests.

Pat：Yes.5.（受到人家的赏识总是感觉不错嘛！）

Conversation 3

（In a teaching office）

Tony：What do you think of encouragement and praise？

Michael：I think students need them.1.（鼓励会使学生感觉得到了支持）and praise is going to make them better—more motivated，more confident，more inclined to tackle challenges.

Tony：You don’t say.And 2.（我们该如何鼓励和表扬学生呢？）

Michael：Well，we can do both of them by word of mouth.

Tony：Can you be more specific？

Michael：For instance，we can say，3.（“你的工作完成得十分出色！”）or“How amazing you are！”

Tony：What should students say to respond to praise？

Michael：They can say，4.（“谢谢您的夸奖。”）or“That’s the nicest thing anyone’s said to me all day！”

Tony：What else can we do to praise students when they have an excellent performance？

Michael：5.（我们也可以为他们热烈鼓掌，或是提供一些奖品。）What do you think？

Tony：It’s nice to say“Well done”，but it’s much more effective to explain exactly 6.（具体哪一部分的工作完成得相当好。）Don’t you think so？

Michael：Absolutely.

New words and expressions for Task I and Task II

1.ideology　　n.　　意识形态

2.monoculture　　n.　　单一文化

3.stereotype　　n.　　模式化的见解

4.prejudice　　n.　　偏见；歧视

5.sustainable development　　可持续发展

6.heritage　　n.　　遗产

7.discrimination　　n.　　歧视

8.Nepal　　n.　　尼泊尔

9.lodge　　n.　　乡间旅舍

10.Ethiopia　　n.　　埃塞俄比亚