By Adele From No. One Middle School of Linxiang

M6 Unit3 Understanding each other

Task 2

Writing a letter to explain cultural misunderstandings

Skills building2: asking questions

Skills building3: writing a letter of apology

_____ TV program is the hottest on Hunan TV?Which

Let’s find out more about this program forming more questions.

_______is it broadcast?

____ are invited to the program?

When

Who

_____ does a good father get along well with his kid?How

______will they go for their next tour?Where

_____ do you think of this program?What

______ is this program so popular?Why

Skills building 2: asking questions

What—How—

Which—

When—Why—

Where—

Step 2:

Asking about cultural differences

Read the instructions carefully.

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8

Let’s see who knows more cultural differences!

People in North America and the UK greet each other by shaking hands.

How do people in North Americaand the UK greet each other?

1. Ways …

The left hand shouldn’t be used to shake hands with or give things to people from India.

Which hand shouldn’t be used toshake hands with or give things to people from India?

2. hand (left/right)…

In Thailand people greet one another by giving a slight bow with their hands pressed together.

In which country do people greet one another by giving a slight bow with their hands pressed together?

3 places…

When a Japanese gives you a business card, you should look at the card carefully.

What should you do when a Japanese gives you a business card?

4. actions…

Why do people from the USA not like crowded places?

5. reason…

People from the USA feel uncomfortable if others are in their ‘personal space’, which is about 50 centimeters around them.

What does the American gesture for ‘OK’ mean to French people?

The gesture ‘OK’ means ‘zero’ to the French.

6. meaning…

Congratulations!

You are very lucky.

No questions for you.

Congratulations!

You are very lucky.

No questions for you.

Skills building3:

writing a letter of apology

Beijing Sunshine Secondary School Sunshine Town Beijing 100000

10 June

Mr Singh88 Sunny Street Sunshine Town Beijing 100000

Address of the sender

Date

Name of the receiver

Address of the receiver

The format of an English letter

A letter of apology your address the date

an opening the purpose of the letter should be given in the first sentence. an explanation a closing phrase (to apologize again)

your name and signature

Mr. Singh(from India)

Mr Hudson(from America)

Mr. Takashi(from Japan)

What unusual incidents happened to the three foreign visitors?

Dear Mr Singh,

I am writing to apologize for any

misunderstandings that occurred

when I showed you around Beijing

the other day.

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________

I felt rather strange when you would not shake hands with me. I did not realize that there are some taboos in different countries and cultures. After reading a magazine article, I know that people from India do not shake hands with their left hands. I should not have held out my left hand to you. And I now know you do not eat beef because of your religion.

I feel very sorry for not having known these taboos earlier. I hope you can forgive me for all these misunderstandings. I hope our next meeting will be happier.

Yours sincerely, (xxx)

Write a letter of apology Mr Takashi and Mr Hudson to explain misunderstandings. Find a partner and discuss what to include in the letter. Each person should write a different part.

Dear Mr _______,

I am writing to apologize for any

misunderstandings that occurred

when I showed you around Beijing

the other day.

____________________________

____________________________

____________________________

____________________________

____________________________

____________________________

_______________________

Homework

Finish the letter on the exercise book.

Learning a foreign language is learning another_______.

culture