manual conversation

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Conversation ClubHandbook

Traveling the W orId through friendship ...


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HOW TO CONDUCT YOURWEEKLY MEETINGS

The conversation Club is sponsored by the Office of Iuternational Students andScholars. I f you have any questions, please contact, Cornell McClellan or CynthiaSmith- Conversation Club Coordinators at 575-5003 (voice mail) orcmcclelraluark.edu and csmithraluark.edu

Special Thanks to Mike Armstrong, Jake Tolbert, Kevin Smith, Don Williams,Diana Dunn and Jessica Egolf, who through their volunteer time, assist us in

coordinating this program.Thefollowing schedule is a suggestedformat. You do not have to follow it exactly. .These are things to keep in mind for every meeting:

Be friendly and respectful. Remember that for some of you this may be one of your firstencounters with persons from unfamiliar cultures. While cultural expectations and nonnsmay conflict, everyone responds positively to a helpful and courteous attitude.

American participants are the facilitators and listeners. Their role is to keepconversations going by asking questions about the week's topic, and by monitoring whatis said in order to point out needed corrections. International participants should domost o fthe talking. This is very important to remember.

International students should try to come to each meeting with a list o fwords, phrases,gestures, etc. thatyou find diffICult, or do not understand. When you encountercommunication that you don't understand, make a quick note of it and ask your groupabout it when you meet. Don't feel afraid or embarrassed about asking "foolishquestions." There are no "foolish questions" when one is attempting to learn.BASICPROCEDURE

The American participants or the group leaders initiate conversation exchange by askingthe listed questions and listening to the responses. American leaders may also providetheir own brief responses, but should remember to always let the international student domost of the talking. You will have "chat time" at the beginning to discuss questions, andtime for pronunciation practice. Have fun, ask questions, make friends and talk. talk.talk!!


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o This group will meet for one hour a week.o This group will meet for eight weeks.o Make a commitment to those eight weeks. The more you put into it, the more you will,get out of it.o This group will meet at the U ofA.o The purpose is to improve your English listening & speaking skills, grammar,American slang, sayings etc.o Talk, talk, talk!!! Listen, listen, listen!!!o Come with questions.o Let your leaders know which topics particularly interest you.o Be open to others ideas & opinions.o English Only!

Plan for today:Clarify the basics for each other.-name, phone number, e-mail, etc.-tell where you are from, your major, how long you have been here and howlong you are staying, etc.-talk about your expectations for this time together (what are the wishesof the CG, general topics and questions, ...)

-set a regular meeting time & place to meet-take an overview of the CG GuideNext week: Bring pictures of your family to share.

Member's Name Country Phone# Email

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TOPIC:WEEKI

LET'S GETACQUAINTED1. What is the correct pronunciation of your name? How do youwish to be addressed? Which name is your family name?How are names formed in your country (Surname first? Last?

Is the father's or mother's name used? Does your given namesignify something)? .2. Tell me about your town/city. If I traveled there, what wouldyou want to show me?3. Who are your family members?4. Why have you chosen to attend the University ofArkansas?5. If this is your first trip to Arkansas (or the U.S.) what have you

found surprising? What have you found to be difficult? What doyou remember the most about your first week on campus?6. How do you like the food here? How is it different from what youeat in your country?7. Do you live on campus or in an apartment? What are the facilitieslike compared to housing in your country?8. What are you studying? What do you plan to do after youcomplete your degree?

SUGGESTED ACTIVITY: One person begins by stating his/her name, country, whatyou are studying, and something interesting aboutyourself("My name is Mary Xu. I am from northernChina. I am studying microbiology. I enjoy ballroomdancing. 'J. Then The nextperson in the group repeatswhat the previous studentjust said and then stateshis/her own information.Then the thirdperson repeats both sets o finformation, inorder, and adds his/herown, and so on, until everyonehas been included. This activity works best in groups of6-10persons.

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l'alenttne's1!lapMany think that Valentine's Day began from a festival oflove in ancient Rome. Itwas called Lupercalia, which honored love. On this day, young people in ancientRome chose future marriage partners by drawing names from a hat. Can youimagine choosing your husband or wife by drawing a name from a hat? As you canimagine, some of these relationships did not turn out very well and did not lastvery long. But some worked out very well. Some couples did marry and stayedmarried for life.There is a legend that explains why we call February 14 Valentine's Day. Inancient Rome, there was a man named Valentine, who helped the Christians thatwere being persecuted by the emperor Claudius II. While Valentine was in prison,awaiting execution, he helped his guard's family. On the day Valentine was goingto be beheaded, he sent the guard's family a message. It said, "Thank you for yourlove. From your Valentine." Valentine was executed on February 14. From thenon, love notes written on February 14 were signed, "From your Valentine."In the U.S., children make Valentines that they give to each other on February 14.They usually glue hearts on pieces of paper, and may add lace or ribbon. Often,children will buy cartoon Valentines at a store to give to their friends. Valentine'sDay is also a time to show people that you love them. Many people buy red rosesor chocolates for the people they love.


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TOPIC:WEEK 2

SHARING TRADITIONS1. What are the most important holidays/celebrations in yourcountry? Why are they celebrated?2. What activities are associated with these holidays/celebrations?3. What special foods are served during these celebrations?4. Will you celebrate these holidays while you are in this country?5. Are there special songs or dances performed for these ceremonies?6. Have you had a chance to participate in any American holidays ortraditional ceremonies since you have been here? What did youthink of the experience?

SUGGESTED ACTIVITY: Demonstrate any sortof traditional activity from yourcountry. A song, dance, traditional holiday greeting,poem, folk story, game. I fpossiblehave others from thegroup join in, or teach the activity, song, etc. to yourgroup.

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Groundhog's Day,On February 2, people gather around a groundhog's hole to watch it come out.This happens in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. The groundhog's name isPunxsutawney Phil. If Punxsutawney Phil comes out and sees his shadow, thelegend says that there will be 6 more weeks ofwinter! Ifhe doesn't see hisshadow, then it is almost spring! .

President's Day

President's Day is celebrated on the third Monday in February. It honorstwo of the United States' most well known presidents-George Washington andAbraham Lincoln. George Washington was the first president ofthe United States.There is a famous legend that he once chopped down a cherry tree. When hisfather asked him if he chopped it down, he said, "I cannot tell a lie. I did chopdown the cherry tree."Abraham Lincoln was born to a very poor family. He taught himselfhow toread. He went to school to become a lawyer, and was known to be an honest man.Sometimes he is referred to as "Honest Abe." Abraham Lincoln was electedpresident during the Civil War, when the northern states fought against thesouthern states.


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TOPIC:WEEK 3COMMUNICATION

1. The subtle ways in which people communicate can differbetween cultures. For example, Americanstend to space themselves at a particular distance from each otherwhen talking. Other cultures tend to stand or sit much closertogether. Have you encountered these "space" issues? Can yougive examples?2. Some cultures tend to touch each other more than others. In manyparts ofAsia, people who are not friends rarely touch each otherwhen communicating. In manyLatin American countries,frequent touching, patting, or hugging is the norm. Whatexamples of this have your encountered since your arrival here?3. The way people greet each other differs between countries. Howdo you greet others in your country? Handshake? Bow? Handstogether? How might you greet someone of higher/lower status inyour country?4. Eye contact can differ dramatically between countries. What is thenorm in your country? How is eye contact different betweenworkers/superiors, for example? Or between the sexes?5. In many languages, there is more than one word for "you". That is, thereare different forms of address - formal and informal - used differentlydepending on the situation. In English, however, there is only one wordfor "you". How is it in your country? Does the English way seem strangeor impolite to you?

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SE....TE

Branches of Government

LEGISLATIVE1CONGRESSAI) @

HOUSE OFREPRESENTATIVES

The Legislature, orCongress, consists of twohouses - the Senate and theHouse ofRepresentatives.Members serve for fixedterms. Although the rolesof the Senate and House areslightly different, togetherthey have the power to passlaws and to overridepresidential vetoes.

At the top of the executivebranch is the President, whois elected to a term offomyears and may serve nomore than two terms. ThePresident has the power toappoint many high federalofficials (some of whomcompose his "Cabinet" andinclude the Secretary ofState, Secretary of theTreasury, and others). Hemay veto laws passed byCongress (although thesevetoes may be later'overridden). The Presidentis also the leader of hismajor political party.

The United States SupremeCourt is the highest court inthe nation. The Presidentappoints its members,subject to Senate consent,for life or until retirement.The court may decidewhether laws and someexecutive actions areconstitutional. Theirdecisions often form theprecedent for how theConstitutionwill laterbeinterpreted.


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TOPIC:WEEK 4

EXPLORING GOVERNMENTAND POLITICS

I. What system of government does your country employ? What areit's basic tenants?2. What do you believe are the most critical differences in thepolitical systems in your country and those in the u.s.?3. What do you feel are the most positive aspects of each system?

SUGGESTED ACTIVITY: Round-table discussion: I fyou could begin a newcountry and had thepower to set up theperfectgovernment, what basic components wouldyouinclude as its basic philosophy?SUGGESTED ACTIVITY: Each person recite or sing their national anthem,

translate it (i fnecessary), and explain its meaning andorigin.

FOR NEXT WEEK: If possible, bring a map ofyour country and either a sample dish orpicture of food from your home.

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of the Flag

\Vhat do the colors of the Flag mean?- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~

ntimental writers and orators sometimes ascribe meanings to the colors in the flag. The practice isas are statements on this subject attributed to GeorgeWashington and other founders ofcountry.

the book "Our Flag" published in 1989 by the House ofRepresentatives...n July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress passed a resolution authorizing a committee to devise afor the United States ofAmerica. This mission, designed to reflect the Founding Fathers' beliefs,lues, and sovereignty of the new Nation, did not become a reality until June 20, 1782. In heraldicvices, such as seals, each element has a specific meaning. Even colors have specific meanings. The

lors red, white, and blue did not have meanings for The Stars and Stripeswhen it was adopted in77. However, the colors in the Great Seal did have specific meanings. Charles Thompson, Secretaryf the Continental Congress, reporting to Congress on the Seal, stated:

"The colors of the pales (the vertical stripes) are those used in the flag of the UnitedStates ofAmerica; White signifies purity and innocence, Red, hardiness & valour, andBlue, the color of the Chief(the broad band above the stripes) signifies vigilance,perseverance & justice."lso this from a book about the flag published in 1977 by the House ofRepresentatives...

he star is a symbol of the heavens and the divine goal to which man has aspired from timethe stripe is symbolic of the rays of light emanating from the sun. "e quote below concerning gold fringe on the Flag is from the book "So ProudlyWe Hail, The

of the United States Flag" Smithsonian Institute Press 1981, byWiliamR. Furlong and Byron"The placing of a fringe on Our Flag is optional with the person of organization, and not ofCongress or Executive Order either prohibits the practice, according to the Institute ofaraldry. Fringe is used on indoor flags only, as fringe on flags on outdoor flags would deterioratepidly. The fringe on a Flag is considered and 'honorable enrichment only', and its official use by theArmy dates from 1895.. A 1925 Attorney General's Opinion states: 'the fringe does not appear to

regarded as an integral part of the Flag, and its presence cannot be said to constitute anthorized addition to the design prescribed by statute. An external fringe is to be distinguishedom letters, words, or emblematic designs printed or superimposed upon the body of the flag itself.law, such additions might be open to objection as unauthorized; but the same is not necessarily

of the fringe. '"e gold trim is generally used on ceremonial indoor flags that are used for special services and is

to have been first used in a military setting. It has no specific significance that I have ever runross, and its (gold trim) use is in compliancewith applicable flag codes and laws.

1/25/2002


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WEEK 5TOPIC: EXPLORINGGEOGRAPHY, CLIMATE, AGRICULTURE

1. What countries border your country?2. What are the important geographic elements? Major waterways?Mountains or other terrain?3. What is the weather like? How does it compare to here? What sort

of adjustments have you had to make?4. What agriculture is predominant in your country? How has thegeography and climate shaped the production?5. What are the major foods produced and consumed in your country?6. How are these foods typically prepared?

SUGGESTED ACTIVITY: 'Exchange recipes. Either write down a simple recipe andgive a copy to each o fyour group (or tell what the recipeis and let everyone write it down fo r themselves); or, i fyou don't know any recipes, share an idea for a newfood("Have you tried coffee with a little cardamom? It'sdelicious!'') As many of the group as possible shouldprepare and sample the food or beverage during the weekand then tell the group about i ta t the next meeting. Or,someonemay want to make one o fthe recipes and bringsamples to the nextmeeting for everyone in thegroup totry.

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TOPIC:WEEK 6HISTORYILANGUAGE

I. How did your country originate? How old is it?2. What sorts of people make up the population?3. Ifnot indigenous, where did population groups migrate from?Why? With what result?4. What languages are spoken?5 What are the most important historical events of your country?6. What do you think your country will be like in 10 years? Willthere be major changes in daily life, government, religion, oreducation?7. How do you feel technology will affect your country and its peopleover the next decade?

SUGGESTED ACTIVITY: Ifyour language is written in something other than theEnglish alphabet, demonstrate how it looks by writingeach group member's name on a sheet ofpaper. Explainwhat each letter or symbolmeans andhow it sounds.Write large and use a single sheeto fpaper so that thegroup member can take it with himlher to keep.FOR NEXT WEEK: If possible, bring pictures ofa marriage ceremony in your homecountry.

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TOPIC:WEEK 7

DATINGIMARRIAGE/GENDER ISSUES

I. In the U.S., teenagers typically begin dating in groups or in pairs.Americans (male and female) may have a number of casual datingrelationships before deciding on a permanent partnership such asmarriage. How is this practice similar or different in your country?2. What are the prevalent attitudes about the roles ofmen and womenin the marriage contract? Are marriages ever arranged in your culture?How are the marriage roles different between men and women? What istypically expected from each?3. The U.S. divorce rate is over 50%. What are your thoughts aboutthis problem? What is the divorce rate in your country? If it islower or higher, Why?4. If a woman seeks to become a professional in business or anotherfield in your country, what will be her greatest obstacles, if any?5. How do educational expectations differ between males and femalesin you country?

6. Do women in your country have equal legal protection? Why orwhy not?7. What does a marriage ceremony look like in your country? Are therespecial customs and traditions associated with the ceremony? If youbrought pictures, share them with the group!FOR NEXT WEEK: If possible, bring a symbol ofyour religion or philosophy to sharewith the group.

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EasterEaster is a holiday that is celebrated at the end of March or in early April.Its history is both Christian and pagan. Christians celebrate Easter as the day ofremembering when Jesus Christ was resurrected after being dead for three days.Christians usually go to church services to celebrate the holiday. The pagancelebration has its roots in celebrating the equinox and the beginning of spring.In the United States, many children believe in the Easter Bunny. This is arabbit that brings brightly colored eggs and candy to boys and girls. They leave

baskets outside the night before for the Easter Bunny. In the morning, they run tosee if the Easter Bunny left them candy! There are often Easter egg hunts, wherereal or plastic eggs are hidden outside and children try to find them. Many peopleboil eggs and then dye them bright colors.


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WEEK 8TOPIC: RELIGION/PHILOSOPHY

I. What are the prevalent religions in your country? Do you practicean organized religion? If so, what?

2. How do you routine.ly practice your religion in your own country?Are there daily/weekly rituals?3. How has being at the University affected the way you practice yourbeliefs? Are there facilitiesfchurches/temples available?4. In this country, evangelism is a big part ofmany Christiangroups. Have you been approached by any Christians orChristian groups about joining their church? How do you feel

about that?

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WEEK 9TOPIC: EDUCATION

1. What level of education do most people in your country receive?2. How are the levels of schooling set up? Are they different than inthe U.S.?3. Do many people have the opportunity to go to college?4. What is the grading system like in public schools?5. How is the level of discipline different from that in this country?6. Is the level of respect for teachers/professors different? How?7. Engagement in open discussion and challenging the professoris a common form ofleaming exchange in the U.S. Are youcomfortable with that method of inquiry? Why or why not?8. Are sports or other extracurricular activities important parts ofpublic school education?

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WEEK 10TOPIC: GOALS

1. Goal-setting is essential to organizing one's life course. Have youdecided on specific goals to accomplish while you are at theUniversity? What are they?2. What will your life he like 5 years from now? Professional life?Marriage? Children?3. What will you be doing 10 years from now? Describe in detailthe scenario you imagine.4. Are you on a path that you believe will take you these goals?How?5. Have your goals changed since your arrival at the University?

If so, why and how?SUGGESTED ACTIVITY: Each person take a sheet ojpaper and create a time chart

jor the goals you want to accomplish over the next 20years. Be creative i fyou wish, as long as the chartis a visual representation ojwhat you will be doingtoward your goals at any given point in time. Then sharethem with the group.

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