1. Correcting Miscommunication, Describing Character
Spoken English IV
Fujian Normal University

2. “I Gave it Away” Jazz Chant
Clarification tools

3. I gave it away. You what. What did you say. I said I gave it away
I gave it away. You what? What did you say? I said I gave it away. Gave it away? That’s what I said. Why? Because I wanted to. You wanted to? Yes, I wanted to. Why didn’t you sell it? Sell it? Yes, sell it, sell it.
I didn’t want to. Why not? Why not? Why didn’t you give it to me? I didn’t want to Why didn’t you give it to him? Why didn’t you give it to her? Why didn’t you give it to them?

4. Adjectives to Describe Character
What does a “friend” mean?
What English words would you use to describe your best friend?
Start with :
“I like my best friend because they are ”

5. Describing Character Positive Negative friendly polite courteous
hospitable
considerate
respectful
kind
quiet
helpful
thoughtful
responsible
Negative
unfriendly
impolite
discourteous
inhospitable
inconsiderate
disrespectful
unkind
noisy, loud
unhelpful
thoughtless
irresponsible

6. Other Affixes in- : im- : un- : dis- : ir- : -less :
You will be given a group of words describing character.
In groups of 4, determine which affix should be added to the word to make it have the opposite meaning.

7. Describing Character What kind of boyfriend/girlfriend do you want?
I want a _______ kind of boyfriend/girlfriend
What kind of person is your mother? father?
My mother/father is ___________
When you die, how do you want to be remembered?
I want to be remembered as a ______ person
What character flaw do you wish to change about yourself?
Sometimes, I’m too ______. I wish I could be more _______

8. Other Affixes in- : inactive, indirect, independent, insensitive
im- : imbalanced, immature, impatient, impossible
un- : uninteresting, undecided, ungraceful, unloving
dis- : disinterested, disloyal, displeased, dissatisfied 
ir- : irresponsible, irrational, irresistible
-less : hopeless, helpless, powerless, harmless

9. Correcting Miscommunication: Culture Clash Discussion
In groups of 4, you will be given a cultural situation card to read
Answer the following questions:
What did you expect the North American to do?
How would you feel in this situation?
List possible reasons why the North American would behave this way
Decide which reason is the most likely one
Choose 1 person to read the situation aloud to the group and 1 person to record the group answers.

10. Situation 1: Gift giving (Class)
Expectations
Accept the gift
Feelings
Sad, frustrated, confused, embarrassed
Reasons
She thinks its fair to give scholarship to good students
Will destroy her reputation.
Education system in the US is considered “fair” so if she accepts it, it will go against her belief.
The gift is too expensive.
Teacher thinks it will create a bad influence or bad feelings between students.
What to do
Give it to her on her birthday
Change to a gift that you made by yourself
Write a note asking the teacher “why”?
Ask someone else to explain?

11. Situation 1: Gift giving
Expectations
Teacher should not refuse the gift
Feelings
surprised, confused, hurt, disappointed, embarrassed, angry
Reasons
She doesn’t like or want the gift.
There is a “rule” in her culture that keeps her from accepting it.
She is just being polite.
She is afraid other students will find out and she would be accused of “favoritism”
She thinks you are poor and cannot afford to give expensive gifts.
If she accepts your gift, she will feel “obligated” to you
What to do
Explain to her why you are giving the gift to her according to the Chinese cultural point of view, and kindly ask her to explain why she cannot accept it.
Keep the gift but talk to a third person later to try to understand what happened.

12. Situation 2: Friendship (Class)
Expectations
Hoped he/she would sit and talk to you and have dinner together
Feelings
Embarrassed, disappointed, confused, upset, heartbroken, hurt, dissatisfied, helpless,
Reasons
He has made appt with friends beforehand
Feels its easier to be with his friends
He thinks he isn’t familiar enough with you
Didn’t like you
Habit to eat in their own group
Too shy
What to do
Ask to explain why via (later)
Join the other group
Make friends with them.
Keep trying in the future unless he says “go away”
Ask someone else why

13. Situation 2: Friendship
Expectations
He should sit with you because you are friends.
He should sit with you, instead of joining a group, because you are alone.
Feelings
surprised, confused, abandoned, hurt, disappointed, angry
Reasons
He really doesn’t like you.
He doesn’t like Chinese students.
He had things to discuss with the other foreign students.
His foreign friends may be upset if he doesn’t sit with them.
He’s more comfortable sitting with old friends than someone (you) he doesn’t know well
He feels it is harder for him to communicate with you because of language problems or cultural differences.
Speaking in Chinese all day long in classes makes him tired, so it is easier to speak with native speakers of English.
What to do
Don’t take it as an insult. Keep trying to be friends with him.
Talk to him about it later.
Talk to a third person to try to understand foreign students’ behaviours

14. Situation 3: Politics (Class)
Expectations
Criticize their government together with you
Feelings
Embarrassed, indignant, wronged, uncomfortable, angry, upset, confused
Reasons
They are patriotic. They are critical of their own government but still love their country.
They don’t like China
They are gossiping. Nothing interesting to talk about.
They are pessimistic people.
They feel offended by your comment.
What to do
Call another group to argue
Never talk to them again (silence)
Talk to them peacefully to explain why you said what you said.
Apologize for offending them

15. Situation 3: Politics Expectations Feelings Reasons What to do
If they are criticizing their own government, it must be okay for me to criticize their government, too.
Feelings
confused, surprised, angry, anxious
Reasons
They don’t like you.
They like you, but they don’t agree your criticism.
You didn’t communicate your ideas clearly and they have misunderstood you.
In their culture, it is okay to criticize the government, but they are uncomfortable when outsiders criticize their country.
What to do
Continue participating in the discussion, but listen more and say less, trying to understand them. Apologize for upsetting them and ask some cultural questions to understand the situation better.
Sometime later, talk about what happened to one person in the group whom you like and trust.
Talk to a third person later to try to understand their behaviour

16. Homework Describe a conflict you’ve seen before or have been a part of
don’t say any names
include details of the situation only
written submission ( words, 1 paragraph)
2. What is peace? What is the opposite of peace?
List words only (no sentences)

17. Introduction to the Language of Peace

18. Peace Web What does it mean? Where is it found? How do we learn it?
What is the opposite of peace?

19. Mind Mapping: Peace Web

20. Homework
Review the vocabulary from the peace web. Use the dictionary to look up the meanings of any words which are new to you. Also practice saying and writing the words.
Next week:
Inner Peace

21. Mid term Exam Date: April 26, 2013 Value: 30% of final mark
Write a speech about “I am…..” which will be about sentences
Each line should begin with “I am…”
Use the instructor’s speech “I am” as a guide to preparing your assignment
Written part must be submitted
Pronunciation, Fluency, Vocabulary, Grammar, Depth, Length will all be part of the assignment grade.