1. Unit 3 Task Writing a letter to explain cultural misunderstandings

2. Lead in 1. What should we do before and after listening if we need to complete a text? 2. What should we pay attention to when we are listening?

3. Skills building 1: completing a text Tips on completing a text by listening: 1. Make sure you read the text first so you understand the subject of the text and the type of words that you are likely to hear.

4. 2. Try to guess the words that might be used to fill in the blanks. 3. Decide if it is content words or grammar words that you are listening for.

5. After listening: Proofread it to ensure that it makes sense and check whether there are any mistakes in it, including any spelling mistakes.

6. Listen to the conversation and complete the diary. Remember the tips on completing a text by listening. Step 1: Showing foreign visitors around

7. Answers: (1)___________ (2)___________ (3)___________ (4)___________ (5)___________ (6)____________ (7)___________ (8)___________ threeunusual wouldn’tbeef giftsbusiness cards crowded space

8. Read part B on page 43, and circle the taboos that help explain some of the unusual incidents mentioned in the article.

9.   If you are from India, you may not eat beef because of your religion.   If you are from the West, you probably would not like to eat chickens ’ feet, but it ’ s not a taboo. Suggested answers

10.  In India, it is impolite to shake hands or give someone something with your left hand.  Japanese people get upset if people do not look at their business cards carefully. Remember not to just put the business cards in your pocket without looking in Japan.

11. Listen for more information about culture habits and fill in the blanks in your notes below. Answers: 1._____________ 2.______________ 3._____________ 4.______________ 5._____________ uncomfortable gifts money zero hug

12. How can we deal with the misunderstanding resulted from the cultural differences? Say sorry orally. Write a formal letter of apology.

13. Skills building 2: asking for information When we want to find out about something, we need to ask questions. How many question words do you remember ?

14. What---when we want to find out about something specific, e.g. things / people / places How---when we want to find out the way something should be done Which---when we want to specify which one of a choice of possibilities

15. When--- when we want to inquire about time Why---when we want to find out a reason Where---when we want to find out about the place in which something happened

16. Step 2: asking about culture differences Work in pairs to ask questions about culture differences. You can answer the questions according to what we learned.

17. 1. How do people in North America and the UK greet each other? 2. Which hand shouldn ’ t be used to shake hands with or give things to people from India? Suggested answers In North America and the UK, people greet one another by shaking hands. The left hand.

18. 3. In which country do people greet one another by giving a slight bow with their hands pressed together? 4. What should you do when a Japanese person gives you a business card? We should look at the card carefully. Thailand and other parts of South- East Asia.

19. 5. Why do people from the USA not like crowded places? 6. What does the American gesture for “OK” mean to French people? It means zero. They feel uncomfortable if others are in their ‘personal space’, which is about 50 centimeters around them.

20. Skill building 3: writing a letter of apology 1. Do you know the differences between writing letters in Chinese and writing writing letters in Chinese and writing letters in English? letters in English? 2. What do you usually say if you want to make an apology? make an apology?

21. Address of the sender Date Name and address of the recipient Greeting/ an opening

22. The body of a letter/ content closing name/signature

23. When writing a letter of apology, you need to include the following: your address the date an opening the purpose of the letter an explanation an ending phrase your name and signature

24. Step 3: explaining misunderstandings Work in groups to discuss what to include in your letter of apology. After discussion, write your letter in the blanks on page 45.

25. Possible example Mr. Singh (Address) Dear Mr. Singh, I’m writing to apologize for any misunderstandings that occurred when I showed you around Beijing the other day. I felt rather strange when you would not

26. shake hands with me. I did not realize that there are some taboos in different countries and cultures. After reading a magazine article, I know that people from India don ’ t shake hands with their left hands. I should not have held out my left hand to you. And I know you do not eat beef because of your religion.

27. I feel very sorry for not having known these taboos earlier. I hope you can forgive me for all these misunderstandings. I hope our next meeting will be happier. Yours sincerely, ***(name)

28. Homework Finish your letter of apology. You can write a letter to Mr. Takashi or Mr. Hudson.