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Cultural adjustmentTask sheet Here are some difficulties people encounter when living in a new country. Please indicate with a check ( ¯ ) how important each one has been for you.
Adapted from “NASA Exercise” in the Dynamics of Human Communication (A Laboratory Approach) Gail E. Myers and Michele Tolera Myers. From: A Manual of Structured Experiences for Cross-cultural Learning by Weebs, et al. Sietar-Intercultural Press.
Key to Step 4 - Survival Expert’s Ranking: box of matches (15); food concentrate (4); 50 ft. nylon rope (6); parachute silk (8); portable heating unit (13); two 45 caliber pistols (11); one case dehydrated milk (12); two 100 lbs. tank of oxygen (1); stellar map (of moon’s constellation (3); life raft (9); magnetic compass (14); 5 gallons of water (2); signal flares (10); first aid kit with injection needles (7); solar-powered FM receiver-transmitter (5). Celebrating holidays and special events «Holidays often represent religious or patriotic events that most of the people in a country share in celebrating. In many countries, there is a state religion. The government and the religious leaders may work together to set political policies and decide on government actions. In the United States, however, people believe in the separation of church and state. This means that the government may not interfere with or support matters relating to religion and religious institutions may not interfere in matters of government. Because people living in the United States come from all over the world, they have learned to enjoy holidays that are part of other people’s cultures but not their own and to respect people’s right to worship in their own way. For example, most Americans, Christian or not, enjoy attending Christmas parties. They may also wear the customary green on St. Patrick’s Day even though they are not all Irish.» American holidays Here is a list of American holidays, when they are celebrated, and some information about how they are celebrated.
Whom do you invite to dinner party?
You are having the most remarkable dinner party in history! By suspending time (making the past and present the same time) you are able to invite 10 people who are living, or who are dead, to your party. Which 10 people will you choose?
Consider 1. It is unnecessary that the guests be «important», you can choose someone who is interesting for other reasons. 2. Perhaps you might want to establish a theme for the evening; one group of guests might like to have fun; another group might like to discuss interesting philosophical questions. 3. Here is a list of possible quests:
Decide and write:
Model: Dinner guest 1____________________________________ Reason invited:__________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ Dinner guest 2:__________________________________________ Reason invited:__________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ Dinner guest 3:__________________________________________ Reason invited:__________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ Dinner guest 4:__________________________________________ Reason invited:__________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ Dinner guest 5:__________________________________________ Reason invited___________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Dinner guest 6:__________________________________________ Reason invited__________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ Dinner guest 7:__________________________________________ Reason invited___________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ Dinner guest 8:__________________________________________ Reason invited___________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ Dinner guest 9:__________________________________________ Reason invited___________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ Dinner guest 10:_________________________________________ Reason invited___________________________________________ Discuss Verbally compare your decisions with those classmates in your discussion group. Explain and defend your opinions. Listen carefully to your classmate’s opinions, but do not be afraid to disagree with those opinions. Try to reach a group consensus on the best solution to the problem. One person in the group should write down the group’s decision.
Extend 1. Women are generally thought to be better conversationalists than men. Why might this be so? 2. Do you prefer people who talk a lot or people who rarely speak? Explain. 3. In your country, what do people enjoy talking about? When and where do such conversations take place? 4. Do you agree that «Conversation is the spice of life»? What does this mean? 5. Imagine that you invited two famous people to your home for dinner last night. Write a two-page dialogue revealing the conversation that took place. Plan the Perfect «Core» College Curriculum. The professors of your university are very upset by recent studies showing that the average graduate from your school is less competent than the average graduate of 20 years ago. As a result, the professors have insisted that the entire educational approach be changed. Instead of students taking only elective courses, they must take three years (144 units) of «core» (basic) courses. Only during their senior year they may take electives (non-required courses chosen by a student) in their major (student’s main field of interest). According to the professors, «the core courses must be designed to give the student a broad background in the general humanities and sciences with the result that the student possesses analytical skills and written and verbal activity necessary to be a leader in society.
Consider Each course in four units. You may require a student to take more than four units (or no units) in the following subjects:
The core plan (144 units; 12 courses – 48 units per year)
Discuss Verbally compare your decision with those of the classmates in your discussion group. Explain and defend your opinions. Listen carefully to your classmate’s opinions, but do not be afraid to disagree with those opinions. Try to reach a group consensus on the best solution to the problem. One person on the group should write down the group’s decision.
Extend 1. When is the best time to choose a major – before university studies? Or at some point during studies (what point)? 2. Is it a god idea for every student to study the same basic subjects before choosing a major? 3. In some countries, such as Japan, there is little relationship between what a student major in and her ultimate job after graduation. What do you think of this system? 4. Rate the following subjects in order of importance to students (1 = most important, 8 = least important):
American idioms «People the world over who are studying English as a second language do not find it easy to use idiomatic expressions fluently. Even those well trained in English are often puzzled by the idiomatic structure of the language. And if they steer clear of idiomatic usage, their speech and writing tend to become formal and stilted.» (1, P. 4). Use these exercises to become familiar with the idioms. You may want to refer to the definitions and examples at the end of this chapter while you do them.
Date: 2015-12-11; view: 900
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