way2go! 7. Coursebook, Schulbuch

154 Unit 10 | Iceberg and outback What tips would you give young people to learn and adapt to new cultures? Talk in groups. Read the text on learning about new cultures. Some words are missing. Change the word in brackets to form the missing word for each gap (1–10). Write your answers in the spaces provided. The first one (0) has been done for you. LANGUAGE IN USE 13 a M pp. 58+60 b 0 countless 6 1 7 2 8 3 9 4 10 5 How to learn and adapt to new cultures by Sarah Johnson There are (0) (count) classes, books, articles and people that will claim they can teach you how to assimilate into a culture. In order to truly learn a culture, you have to shed any prior bias or judgements you might be bringing to the table. This can be one of the hardest things to do since often we are (1) (aware) of our perceptions and tendencies. The best thing to do is not judge. Anytime you catch yourself thinking negatively about the way people act, when something they do seems (2) (ridicule) , just take a step back and consider how differently everyone sees the world. There is no right or wrong, just different ways of living life. Learn the language. If you are (3) (travel) anywhere, chances are that the native language where you’re staying is not going to be English. Take the time to learn the language and show people you are interested in their culture. You might feel (4) (anxiety) about speaking a foreign language, but even if you sound completely (5) (fool) , people will be happy that you tried. Plus, it can be pretty endearing – like when you’re trying to roll your Rs while speaking Spanish to your new friends in Barcelona. There are going to be things that you aren’t used to, but instead of avoiding new experiences, you should embrace them. It’s okay to be (6) (comfort) ; in fact, it is one of the best things that you can ever do. Maybe the thought of eating a worm makes you feel (7) (dread) , but when you’re in Namibia and they offer it to you as a gift because it’s one of their country’s dishes, you eat that worm with a smile. When you face (8) (certain) head on, you learn how well you really can adapt to and learn a new culture. You have to want to learn about another culture, or you never will. Watch people, marvel at the (9) (exist) of anything that is new to you. Embrace new lifestyles and culture with wonder and (10) (curious) . You will find that you are learning things and shifting your perspective without even knowing it. Prepare a short statement (about 90 seconds long): Do you agree with the advice given in the text? Why?/Why not? Share your statements in class. SPEAKING 14 Nur zu Prüfzwecken – Eigentum des Verlags öbv