1. Unit 17 Simulation Training (1) Simulation Training (1)

2. + I. Teaching Aims & Requirements: + Let students understand the skills of scenic spots presentations + Help to improve the English tour interpretation + + II. Content + Skills of scenic spots presentations + Simulation training of scenic spots presentations + + III. Focus on & Difficulties: + Basic skills of scenic spots presentations

3. I. The Presentations of Scenic Spots Most of the introductions and presentations of scenic spots are either presented by tour guides, or written and compiled by travel agency working staff. Tour guides usually adopt one or more of the following methods in their presentation according to their needs. The tourists have to be aware of them, try to get used to these skills and techniques. Familiarizing with them will make tourists benefit a great deal.

4. 1. 平铺直叙法 Narration in a Matter-of-Fact Manner To narrate something succinctly according to its order, logical organization and the relationship between cause and result is called narration in a matter-of-fact manner. In other words, its purpose is to introduce to visitors the place or scenery in brief, clear and straightforward language.

5. 2. 重点介绍法 Introduction with a Focus on Key Events It is characterized by introducing to visitors the characteristics of the scenic spots and features that are different from others. It can not only arouse visitors’ interest, but also deepen his or her impressions of the place in order to achieve the ultimate effect gained by the introduction.

6. 3. 分段讲解法 Section-by-Section Explanatory Introduction This kind of introduction is especially helpful/ useful when introducing a large project. You can give visitors a very brief account of the place they are going to visit so that they can have a rough idea of the place before visiting the place in person. For example, before taking visitors to the Imperial Palace (Forbidden City), the tour guide can provide them in advance with some background information, such as the time and dynasty of the buildings there, the coverage of the area, the layout of the museum, the key halls, the use of the Palace and the important cultural articles in the Palace.

7. 4. 触景生情法 Introduction Spurred by Beautiful Scenery This type of introduction is initiated by a beautiful scene. Introducing in this manner makes the introduction natural, vivid, impressive and convincing. For example, before formal introduction begins, the fact that all the buildings have yellow tiles over them and a red wall around them impresses visitors most. You can tell visitors that this is why the yellow color has long been considered the most dignified color since ancient times. Only the Emperor could have the right to enjoy “happiness and good fortune”.

8. 5. 有问有答法 Question-and-Answer Introduction This type of introduction avoids the danger of falling into soliloquy. A tour Guide should make the most of questions and answers in his introduction to mobilize the listeners’ initiative and enliven the atmosphere as well as exchange ideas with visitors. This method of creating dialogue is an excellent way in doing interactive tour guiding.

9. 6. 虚实结合法 Combination of Factual Information with Abstract Reasoning In the process of explanation, the tour guide should occasionally introduce some historical stories, folk legends or customs, as they are called. The tour guide should not do the introduction to the place or scenery in a dry or monotonous way, but she / he should try by every means possible to introduce the beauty of the place or the attraction of the scenery in very vivid language, or again by adding some legendary stories to attract visitors. Otherwise, visitors will not find the introduction interesting.

10. 7. 同类比拟法 Tracing Analogy between Two Events Using comparison to introduce something new by mentioning it in connection with something familiar is called the method of tracing analogy between two events. By using this method of introduction, visitors can easily comprehend the unfamiliar things as if they were in the old surroundings. For example, in introducing the Forbidden City, the tour Guide can associate it with the White House in the United States of America, or Buckingham Palace in England.

11. 8. 专题讲解法 Lecture on Specific Topics Sometimes the tour guide should give systematic lectures on some specific topics. The tour guide can, on the way to scenic spots in chartered coach or on train, introduce something about China and the Chinese people so that foreign tourists would have a better understanding of our country. The tour guide should leave tourists some time for questions, if possible, for the purpose of better understanding (which is universally adopted).

12. 9. 制造悬念法 Suspension-Creation Method In explanation, the tour guide should occasionally raise some provocative questions to arouse tourists’ interest. We call this suspension-creation method. For example, when visiting Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum in Nanjing, the tour guide can ask tourists to climb up and count the number of steps and then compare the correct figure after getting down instead of telling them directly how many steps there are in all. This will create suspension, increase tourists’ interest and stimulate enthusiasm while at the same time taking their minds off the ordeal climbing.

13. 10. 引而不发法 Elicitation with no Explanation To achieve an even better result, the tour guide can provide tourists with some cues or hints, and can let them see and judge by themselves before giving them the correct answer. For instance, the layout of the Summer Palace is quite unique in its design. You cannot immediately enjoy its beautiful scenery after entering its Eastern Entrance. Only by passing through some courtyards and hills, does the real beauty and attraction gradually reveal itself to tourists. This hidden-before-exposure method is elicitation with no explanation of the superb natural beauty. Once exposed, the scenery leaves an everlasting impression on tourists all by itself.

14. 11. 引人入胜法 Leading Tourist to a Fascinating Vista In tour guiding, the tour guide should try his/her best to create an artistic conception from time to time to help establish an association and to better enjoy the real beauty of a scene. This is the method of leading someone to a fascinating vista. Vivid tour guiding can stimulate tourists’ imagination and lead their associations to a fascinating vista of explanation and appreciation.

15. 11. 引人入胜法 Example The stone of Lake Tai is characterized by its transparency, wrinkles, leakage, and thinness. If a fire were made under the stone, the smoke would come up through its numerous holes as if a group of dragons were spitting smoke upward simultaneously. When tourists are listening to your description, it will seem as though they are sharing the experience with the tour guide.

16. 12. 画龙点睛法 Giving a Crucial Touch to a Picture The tour guide should point out the most essential magnificence or importance of a matter and thereby help tourists appreciate its mystery. This method is called giving a crucial touch to a picture.

17. 12. 画龙点睛法 Example ： When tourists visit a temple and see many other visitors burning incense and kneeling, the tour guide suddenly asks a visitor a question, “Why are they burning incense first, then they kneeling and praying?” Maybe most visitors are at a loss and can not give a to-the-point answer. This is the opportunity for the tour guide to solve the problem and provide the correct answer: By burning incense, prayers can get in touch with the god in heaven, because when the smoke is floating upward, the prayers float with it and the god can hear their praying. This is the means by which prayers on earth can pass their messages to the god. This is the secret of burning incense before praying. This method of introduction has proved to be very interesting and convincing to believers.

18. II. Writing an introduction Students are encouraged to make use of the acquired knowledge to write an introduction to one of the scenic spots in China. Next time, they will be encouraged to make the presentation of the scenic spots one by one before the class. Their performance will be credited.

19. Homework 1. Remember the skills of presentation. 2. Prepare for a presentation of scenic spots.