Holidays & Traditional Customs

UNIT⑪

This unit will show you how to: • talk about the cultures of other countries,• talk about the holidays and traditions in your culture, and • ask and talk about possibilities.

You will also learn new words related to the topic. Use your dictionary to find the meanings of the words in your native language to understand them better.

At the end of the topic, try the practice questions on the pages with the green tab.

Discussion Questions:

1. What was the last national holiday or festival celebrated in your country?

How is it celebrated? What did you and your family do on that day?

PRACTICE

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Talking about Festivals and Traditions of other cultures - look at the

following and practice how to talk about festivals and traditions of other

cultures.

Mid-Autumn Festival

•The Chinese and Vietnamese celebrate the

Mid-Autumn Festival. They hang lanterns, eat

mooncakes and drink tea.

• Families and friends hold gatherings, give

thanks for the harvest and pray for a good

future, longevity and good health.

Junkanoo

• In the Bahamas, Junkanoo is held

on December 26 and January 1.

Junkanoo begins before the sun

comes up.

• Dancers in costumes go to the streets to

perform. People are invited to join in with the dancers.

Thanksgiving

• Americans celebrate Thanksgiving to be thankful for the blessings they

have. They usually have roast turkey,mashed

potatoes and gravy.

• They talk about the things they are

thankful for, such as good health and a fruitful

harvest.

☑ harvest - gathering crops

☑ longevity - living a long life

☑ blessings - lucky things that we receive

☑ fruitful - producing a lot

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Talking about the holidays and traditions in your culture - look at the

following and practice how to talk about the holidays and traditions in your

culture.

⍰Which is your favorite holiday? What do you do on that day? Who do you

celebrate it with?

You can say: "My favorite holiday is ... My family/friends and I usually ... We

eat ... We play ..."

Example: My favorite holiday is Christmas. On Christmas Eve, my family and I

decorate the Christmas tree. Then, on Christmas Day, my uncles, aunts and

cousins come over for a feast before opening our presents.

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⍰ Talk about a custom or practice from your culture that you like. Is there

also something that you don't like about it?

You can say: "In our culture, we usually ... when we ..."

"We also ... on traditional holidays."

"On special days, we eat ... and ..."

"But sometimes I find (custom or practice)

very cumbersome and meaningless."

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Example: The Chinese usually sit at a round table and greet one another

before eating. I think it's a good practice and it also makes the people

appreciate the food more.

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⍰ How do you think people from around the world perceive your culture?

What do they think of when they hear of your culture?

You can say: "Most people think ... when they think of my culture."

"I guess most people think that ..."

"They probably assume that we ..."

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☑ perceive - think of 130

⍰ Is there a perception that people have of your culture that you would

like to correct?

You can say: "Most people have the misconception that ... But it's not the

case ..."

Example: Most people think that Chinese children are very hardworking and

are naturally good at math and science. But this is not true for all of us.

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⍰ Have you visited another country in which the culture was hard to

accept? Did you experience culture shock?

You can say: "I visited ... I could not adapt to ..."

"I was shocked to see ..."

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☑ perception - a way of thinking

☑ correct - to make something right

☑ culture shock - a state when you cannot understand or accept a new

culture

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Asking and talking about Possibilities - look at the following and practice

how to ask and talk about possibilities

⍰ Would you consider dating or marrying a person from another culture

or country? Why or why not?

Asking about Possibilities:

•Would you consider dating or marrying a person from another culture or co

untry?

• Do you think it is possible that interracial marriages become more and

more common?

• Is it likely that your parents allow you to marry someone from another

culture or country?

Talking about Possibilities:

• I would definitely / probably (not) consider that.

• I think it is highly / definitely possible. (do not say "lowly")

• Definitely / Definitely not.

• Why not? (it means "It is possible!")

• I would say the chances are high / low.

• I would definitely / probably (not) consider that.

☑ consider - think carefully about doing something

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You can say: "I've never considered it, but I think ..."

"Personally, I think ..."

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☞ Go to https://www.etiquettescholar.com/dining_etiquette/table-

etiquette/europe-m_table_manners/spanish.html and read about dining

etiquette in Spain.

☞ According to http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/kindle/2016-

03/13/content_23844789.htm, in Chinese

culture, the young people should greet

every elder member by saying “Grandfather,

please eat. Grandmother, please eat.

Father, please eat”, before they start to eat.

☑ dining etiquette - the practices that people follow when eating

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⍰What are the dining etiquette rules that you follow in your culture?

You can say: "In my culture, we usually ..."

"It is considered polite to ..."

"It is considered rude to ..."

"We have to ..."

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134

Ask a family member or friend whether he / she has experienced culture

shock. Ask him / her "Have you visited another country in which the

culture was hard to accept?" and "Did you experience culture shock?"

Write his / her experience down below.

Answer:

PRACTICE

135

Ask a family member or friend about the possibilities of him / her

marrying someone else from another culture or country. Write his / her

answer down below. Use the examples to help you.

Answer:

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PRACTICE

Notes

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Notes

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