Tag: Culture and Countries

Can Fish ‘n’ Chips Survive

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Fish and chips is a classic British fast food. It is the first “carry-out” meal, and it has been a part of British life for well over a century. Will it, however, last much longer? Perhaps only as a luxury for those with the means.

Read the article about fish and chips and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://linguapress.com/intermediate/fish-chips.htm

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is the meaning of the phrase “quarter of a century”? “In the last quarter of a century, things have changed.”. Make a sentence using the phrase.
  2. What does “up-market” mean in this sentence: “Fish and chips, however, will survive as a specialty in pubs and restaurants, and in new up-market fish restaurants.”. Give 1 synonym and make a sentence.
  3. What does the phrase “spring up” mean? “Fish and chip shops were springing up all over the country.”. Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on how some traditional food become obsolete or forgotten or overthrown by other types of food?
  2. What are some traditional dishes that are important to your culture?
  3. How does the introduction of cuisine from another culture impact the culinary culture of a country?
  4. How have your food choices changed as you have assimilated into a different culture?

Money Traditions from Around the World

B2 – Upper Intermediate

As they say, money is the fuel that keeps the world turning. A country’s cultural beliefs are frequently mirrored in how they view its currency because money is such an integral element of that nation’s identity. But how much do we really know about global beliefs, customs, and superstitions around money?

Watch the video about money customs from all over the world.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “tight-knit” mean? Most of these customs involve generosity within a family or tight-knit community. Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does the idiom “pay it forward” mean? “If someone had a good day, they can pay it forward with an anonymous free coffee to an unknown person.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does the word “sneak” mean in this sentence, “The elf sneaks in to take the tooth and leaves money behind.”? Give 2 synonyms of the word.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What unique money traditions do you have in your country?
  2. Which of the traditions from the video is practiced similarly in your country?
  3. Do you know of any superstitions involving money?
  4. How important is money to you?

Dutch People Let You Peer Into Their Homes

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Every country has its own traditions and practices. Some of which are standard and others seem rather strange. Most people try hard to ensure privacy in their homes. It is that one place where we can act freely without the fear of embarrassment and humiliation. However, in the Netherlands, people believe otherwise.

Let’s read the article and know more about this seemingly bizarre practice of Dutch people.

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/dutch-windows/index.html#:~:text=That’s%20because%20many%20Dutch%20people,quirk%20seems%20even%20more%20intriguing.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “interwoven” mean? “It’s so interwoven in their culture that researchers have struggled to figure out exactly why people in the Netherlands care so little about their privacy.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. Define the word “bourgeois“. Give two synonyms and use them in sentences. “Astrid Brooke says she considers curtains bourgeois adornment to a window and has rarely felt the need for them.”
  3. What does “tight-knit” mean in this sentence, “Anthropologists Hilje van der Horst and Jantine Messing researched the phenomenon in 2006 and observed that people in tight-knit neighborhoods were more likely to leave their curtain open – and more likely to decorate their windows with statues, vases, and (fake) flowers.”? Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to the article, what reasons do Dutch people have for not using blinds or curtains? What is your stand on Dutch people’s open culture?
  2. How do people in your country protect their private domestic lives?
  3. Do you think that privacy in the real world is just as important as that in the virtual world? Why or why not?

Wedding Ring History

B1 – Intermediate

It is quite surprising how the practice of wearing engagement or wedding rings started. For the longest time, we have been associating these rings with the notion of love and commitment. However, this was not exactly what it meant in the past.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript to understand this history better.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/wedding-ring-history-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the history of wedding rings? Which finger are they put on and why?
  2. In old Rome, the ring was a mark of ownership. What are your thoughts on this? How did this practice evolved over time?
  3. What is your opinion on engagement or wedding rings/symbols?
  4. In your country, are there alternatives to wedding/engagement rings? Give suggestions for other possible options.

The Importance of Intercultural Awareness

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Intercultural differences can be confusing. People from different parts of the world act, talk, and respond in various ways. We are compelled to gain intercultural awareness so we can co-exist with others better.

Watch the clip below and increase your understanding about the importance of intercultural awareness.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you define intercultural awareness?
  2. Tell about a time when you experienced intercultural differences.
  3. What are some ways people can adapt to foreign cultures?
  4. According to the video, it is important to respect foreign customs, rituals, and cultures. How do you think we can do this? Give some examples.
  5. What do you like most about your own culture that you want to share with others?

How People Drink Wine Around the World

B2 – Upper Intermediate

People’s choice of booze differs depending on many factors. But wine is undoubtedly one of the world’s most favorite. 

There are different ways people from every country enjoys this boozy drink.

Read the article about the different ways people drink their wine across the world.

https://www.thrillist.com/drink/nation/how-people-drink-wine-around-the-world

Discussion Questions:

  1. Which points in this article did you find the most interesting and surprising, and why?
  2. Share other ways people consume their wine that you’ve heard of.
  3. What’s the best way to enjoy wine?
  4. Do you have the custom to BYOB in your country? Why or why not?
  5. Do you think drinking wine will become more or less popular in the future? Explain your point.

Charbonnay Wine 

B1 – Intermediate

People are believed to have been consuming wine as early as 5400-5000 B.C. And ever since, there has been a continuing demand for wine all over the world. 

In Northern France, they have invented a new type of wine that is called “Charbonnay”. 

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about this new kind of wine.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/charbonnay-wine-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of charbonnay? Would you like to try it? Why or why not? If you have tried it, what can you say about it?
  2. Are there any new varieties of wine that has been produced in your country recently? Talk about it.
  3. How important is wine and the wine industry in your country?
  4. Do you like drinking wine? Why or why not?
  5. What are the good and bad things about wine/wine drinking?

Japanese People and Alcohol

B1 – Intermediate

It is believed that drinking alcohol is a very social activity. In Japan, people used to go to bars to hang out with friends or colleagues on weekends or after work. This has changed. Less and less people like drinking.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about Japanese people’s changing behavior about alcohol consumption. Be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/japanese-people-and-alcohol-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think the same is happening in your country? What is the reason for it?
  2. Is drinking an important custom in your country? Why or why not?
  3. Is it positive or negative if people didn’t drink alcohol anymore? Explain your opinion?
  4. How has your drinking behavior changed over the years?
  5. Do you think it’s true that people care more about their health now? Why or why not?

Israel-Gaza Conflict

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The extent of violence and level of tensions we have seen brought about by the Israel-Gaza conflict is at all-time high. A ceasefire mediated by Egypt has come into force. But until the status quo changes, the threats of future sieges still hold.

Read the article to know more about the root of the issue, the tensions between Israel and Palestinians now, and what the future holds for the two nations.

https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-44124396

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your thoughts on the Israel-Palestine conflict?
  2. The main issues which Israel and the Palestinians cannot agree on have already been identified but so far, the conflict still have not been solved. Share your thoughts on this.
  3. “Any future peace deal will need both sides to agree to resolve complex issues.” What are your thoughts on this?
  4. What do you know about the Gaza Strip?
  5. Any thoughts on America’s involvement in the Middle East peace plan?

Swedes Don’t Feed Their Children’s Playmates

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Cultures’ customs on hospitality differ. It is said that hospitality customs are very complicated issue.

Swedes are under fire on social media. Apparently, visiting playmates of their children are not offered snacks or to join the family’s meal. 

Find out why and why it is causing an uproar online.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/jun/01/its-a-scandi-scandal-why-has-social-media-turned-on-sweden

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on Swedes’ not feeding their children’s playmates when they visit? In your opinion, should Swedes change this? Why or why not?
  2. What is the custom in your country on this? Is it customary in your country to offer house guests food?
  3. What are other customs you have with house visitors and when visiting others’ home?
  4. Do families eat together in your country? Why or why not?
  5. Do you agree or disagree that “the meaning of shared meals and, in particular, the cultural mechanism of hospitality runs deep”? Share your insights.
  6. Share some mealtime customs in your country.