Writing a letter to explain cultural misunderstandings

Skills building 1: completing a text What can you do to help you when you need to complete a text by listening?

We should read the text first so that we will know the subject of the text. Try to guess what the missing words are. Sometimes, we can infer the missing words from the context. Try to decide if the missing words are content words or grammar words. Read it to ensure that it makes sense and check whether there are any mistakes in it.

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

Step 1: showing foreign visitors around Before listening to the conversation, read the diary in Part A. Try to guess what each of the missing words is.

Listen to the conversation and complete the diary in Part A. Answers three unusual wouldn’t beef gifts business cards crowded space

Listen to the conversation again and answer the questions.

1.Which tourist attractions did the two students show the three foreigners around? 2. Why did the writer feel strange about Mr Singh? 3. Where was Mr Singh from?

4. Where was Mr Takashi from? 5.Who thought the Summer Palace was amazing? 6.Why didn’t Mr Hudson get on the boat?

Which tourist attractions did the two students show the three foreigners around? The Forbidden City and the Summer Palace.

2. Why did the writer feel strange about Mr Singh? Because he looked very upset when the writer held out his left hand to shake hands with him.

3. Where was Mr Singh from? 4. Where was Mr Takashi from? He was from India. He was from Japan.

5.Who thought the Summer Palace was amazing? 6. Why didn’t Mr Hudson get on the boat? Mr Dudson. Because he thought it was too crowded.

Read the article in a magazine in Part B Read the article in a magazine in Part B. Go back to the diary in Part A and point out what you think may be taboos.

Read the article again and answer these questions. 1. What do some people from India not eat? Some people from India do not eat beef.

2. Which hand shouldn’t be used to shake hands with or give things to people from India? The left hand shouldn’t be used to shake hands with or give things to people from India.

3. What should you do when a Japanese person gives you a business card? When a Japanese person gives you a business card, you should look at the card carefully before putting it in your pocket.

Listen to the tape and fill in the blanks. People from the USA feel _____________ when people stand too close to them. South Americans like to greet people with a _____. uncomfortable hug

3.In Japan, giving ______ is very important. 4.The gesture ‘OK’ in the USA means “_____”in France. 5. In Japan, the same gesture means _________. gifts zero money

Skills building 2: asking for information How to ask questions? Do you know …? Could you pleased tell me if / whether …? Please tell me if / whether … Who is …?

Please tell me his / her name. How did …? / Why did …? When / Where did …? Can you tell me the reason why …?

Read the directions on Page 44 Read the directions on Page 44. Make some sentences by using the correct question words.

Step 2: asking about cultural differences Read the instructions in Step 2. Form the six questions and answer each question according to what you have read on Page 42 and what you have heard in the recording.

Skills building 3: writing a letter of apology Do you remember how to write an English letter? Do you know the differences between writing in Chinese and writing letters in English?

When writing a letter of apology, you need to include the following: your address the date an opening the purpose of the letter should be given in the first sentence. an explanation an ending phrase (to apologize again) your name and signature

Dear ______, ①I am truly sorry that ______ (道歉的原因). ②The reason is that ______ (介绍原因). ③Once again, I am sorry for any inconvenience caused. ④Hope you can accept my apologies and understand my situation. Yours sincerely, Li Ming

At the start of a letter of apology: I am writing this letter to express my regret … I am writing to apologize for … I would like to give you my apology for … I am very sorry to say that … I must apologize about (not) doing sth. … Please accept my sincere apology for … I am writing to say sorry for … I am terribly sorry, but …

At the end of a letter of apology: Once again, I am sorry for any inconvenience caused. Please allow me to say sorry again. Hope you can accept my apologies and understand my situation.

I sincerely hope that you will be able to think in my position and accept my apologies. I want to let you know how regretful I am feeling now. I am sorry that I can’t… and trust that you will be able to understand.

Step 3: explaining misunderstanding Review the diary entry and the article in Step 1 and discuss what should be included in a letter of apology.

Possible example Dear Mr. Singh, I am 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 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 do not 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.

I feel very sorry for not having known these taboos earlier 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, Maggie