Worksheet, Getting the Message Worldwide (B2)

Before starting the exercise please have a look at the link before http://englishtips-self-taught.blogspot.com/2011/08/getting-message-worldwide.html


Source: Speak Up in Class


Language level: B2

WORKSHEETS

2011

Getting the Message Worldwide (B2)

A – Before you start

Answer the questions with a partner.

1. Do you think it's more important to avoid offending others or to tell the truth? Why?

2. Do you mind if your parents or your teachers criticise you in front of others?  Why (not)?

3. If a friend telephoned you while you were having dinner, would you let your friend know that it was an inconvenient time? If so, how?

4. Would you react in the same way if it was your teacher who phoned you? 

B – Listen and answer

Read these statements. Then listen (without reading) and write T (true) or F (false).

1. The author of the article mentions an episode that took place at a G20 Summit.

2. During a press conference, the President of South Korea got angry when an American journalist asked him a question.

3. In Anglo-Saxon culture you should never make fun of your boss in front of others.

4. Sometimes the same statement can be interpreted in a different way by people of different cultures.

5. In a "low-context" culture, people express themselves in a more explicit way.

6. The USA and the UK are examples of low-context cultures.

7. German and Dutch bosses will probably tell you directly if they don't like what you have done.

 

C – Read and answer

Read the article and answer the questions.

1. What might have happened if President Lee of South Korea had answered the journalist's question?

2. What should you avoid doing if you are a manager in a company in an oriental country?

3. How might an oriental person avoid telling you directly that your proposal has been rejected?

4. What is high-context communication based on?

5. If you ask a British person whether you're ringing at a bad time, what does it probably mean if the reply begins with the words "Well, actually..." ?

6. If you want to avoid misunderstandings with people of different cultures, what should you take into account besides the context of what is said?

D – Learn it! Use it!

Complete these sentences with words from the glossary. (You may have to adapt the expression in some way; e.g. change from plural to singular.)

1. Tom always goes home for his midday _________ .

2. I was having an argument with Sarah over the phone and she _________   _________ .

3. I'm not worried about my test. At the moment it's the least of my _________ .

4. Joe won't understand what you mean unless you _________   _________   _________  to him.

5. Don't worry! You can _________  on me.

6. Do you understand this email from Jane? I can't make any _________ of it.

7. If you treat your employees like that, you'll lose their _________ .

8. When you apply for a new passport, please _________  in _________ that it will take at least a week. 

E – Ready for FCE? (Paper 3: Use of English, Part 3)

Use the word in brackets to form a word that fits in the space given.

1. President Lee's reply was greeted with polite _________ (LAUGH).

2. Lee wanted to avoid making Obama feel _________ (COMFORT).

3. In a British company you can make fun of your boss if you do so _________ (RESPECT).

4. In oriental cultures it is not _________ (PERMIT) for a subordinate to make fun of the boss.

5. Anyone in a _________ (MANAGE) position in China or Korea should avoid criticising the work of an employee in public.

6. People in oriental countries are more careful to avoid offending other people's  _________ (SENSE).

7. A Japanese person would try to avoid telling you directly that your _________ (PROPOSE) 

had been rejected.

8. It's necessary to have an _________ (AWARE) of where the conversation is taking place.

9. If someone refers to a colleague as "good old George", this doesn't necessarily mean George is _________ (TRUST).

10. Effective communication requires a good _________ (KNOW) of the context as well as the language.  

F – Talk about it 

In pairs or groups.

1. Do you think Brazil is a high-context or a low-context society?  Why?

2. Are there any regional differences?

3. If so, can you give any examples?

GETTING THE MESSAGE WORLDWIDE BY RACHEL ROBERTS

Source of the picture: http://www.speakuponline.it

GETTING THE MESSAGE WORLDWIDE BY RACHEL ROBERTS

 Source: http://www.speakup.com.br

Language level: Upper Intermediate B2

Standard: British accent

Speaker: Rachel Roberts

During the recent G20 Summit in South Korea, President Barack Obama and the South Korean President, Lee Myung-Bak, gave a press conference. An American journalist asked President  Lee whether he had any concerns that        “U.S. policy might lead to a flood of “hot” money coming into the Korean economy.” The Korean President smiled and answered: “I think that kind of question should be asked to me when President Obama is not standing right next to me.”There was general polite laughter at this comment, but President Lee was probably not making a joke.

FACE-SAVING

In some cultures, particularly oriental cultures, it is an insult to embarrass someone, or make them “lose face” in public. If President Lee was worried about the possibility of “hot money” pouring into South Korea, he would never have commented on this in public, in case he made Obama feel comfortable and offended him.

You should bear these values in mind if you have to work or communicate with people from oriental cultures. In Anglo Saxon culture it is often permissible for a subordinate to make fun of the boss in public, as long as it’s done respectfully. In oriental cultures it is never permissible, and would be considered deeply offensive. Similarly, if you relocate to a managerial position in China or Korea and an employee does something wrong, you should never point out their mistake in public, unless you want to lose their goodwill forever. Such conversations should always take place in private.

THE JAPANESE FOR NO

This careful attention to protecting sensibilities can make communication difficult, especially if you tend to be more direct. If during a long negotiation with a Japanese company, you ask whether your proposal has been accepted, you would probably feel quite optimistic if your received one of the following replies. “If everything proceeds as planned, the proposal will be approved;” “It’s not easy to answer your question at the moment;” or “You should know quite soon.” In actual fact, these are typical Japanese ways of saying “Sorry there’s no deal!

The writer Edward Hall first used the expressions “high-context” and “low-context” to refer to how much speakers rely on things other than words to communicate meaning. These “other things” can be non-verbal communication, plus an awareness of the context in which the communicating takes place.

BY GEORGE

Here’s an example. If you refer to a work colleague as “good old George,” a “low-context” understanding of these words is that George is a mature colleague, a good man and trustworthy. In other words, you mean exactly what you say. If it is generally understood in the office, however, that George is a complete idiot, the words “good old George” could be taken as a sarcastic comment on the fact that George has done something wrong, yet again. The implication is that he can be relied upon to make a mess of things.

The key words here are “generally understood.” People from high-context cultures (European examples include France and the United Kingdom) often share information with their “in-group” members, such as good friends, families and co-workers, and they refer to this information implicitly when they speak. For people who come from “low-context” cultures, like the USA, Germany and the Netherland, this can be a difficult code to break. They think of communication as a way of exchanging information and opinions and so prefer to spell things out clearly and simply.

NOTHING PERSONAL

If a German or Dutch person telephones you during a meal and asks you if they are calling at a bad time. Don’t expect them to hang up if you reply, “Well actually, I’m in the middle of my dinner. “It may be obvious to you that meal time is sacrosanct and you want t spend it in peace with your family, but it may not be obvious to someone outside your cultural group.

If you design a great new gadget and your German or Dutch boss says, “I don’t like it! “ They are not implying that you are a bad designer or that you don’t do your job properly. They are simply saying that they don’t like this particular design, nothing more! Germans and Dutch people have a wonderful ability to separate a person from an idea or invention. So, if they criticize your work, it’s the work and not you they dislike. They find kind of direct criticism constructive!

THE RIGHT TONE

It is important to remember, however that every individual uses both high context and low-context communication. The choice will usually depend on who we’re taking to (a close friend or a stranger) and the circumstances (whether you’re telling a joke, or giving important instructions). To understand, you need a good background knowledge of the context and you have to be culturally intelligent enough to interpret tone of voice, eye contact and posture. We’ll the looking at some of these non-verbal signs next month to help you make sense of what is really being said. 

Speak Up in Class Extreme Celebrations (A2)

Before starting to do the exercise check out the linkhttp://englishtips-self-taught.blogspot.com/2011/07/stag-nightextreme-celebrations.html

AG NIGHT...EXTREME CELEBRATIO

source:   www.stagnightuk.com 

Source: www.speakup.com.br

Language level: A2 Pre-intermediate

Standard accent: British

Speaker: Rachel Roberts

WORKSHEETS

2011

Extreme Celebrations (A2)

A – Before you start

Answer the questions with a partner.

1. It's the custom for British men to to organise a celebration with their friends  (stag night) before their wedding? Do Italian men have a similar custom?

2. If so, how do they usually celebrate?

3. Do women have some kind of celebration, too?

B – Listen and answer

Read these statements. Then listen (without reading) and write T (true) or F (false).

1. Traditional stag night celebrations used to take place at the groom's house.

2. The female version of the stag night is the "hen party".

3. Some people pay a company to organise their "stag do".

4. Bill Parsons didn't expect to do bungee jumping during his stag do.

5. Women never choose extreme activities for their celebration.

6. Nowadays stag dos involve less alcohol than in the past.

C – Read and answer

Read the article and the Information boxes and answer the questions.

1. Why is the stag night usually called a "stag do" now?

2. What kind of arrangements may be necessary for a stag do nowadays?

3. Where in London can you do bungee jumping?

4. Why did Bill Parsons do one?

5. What do many women prefer to do?

6. What reason does Jean Webb give for her choice?

7. What shows that bungee-jumping is very popular at the moment?

8. What effect does Zorbing have on people?

9. What do you have to do before walking on fire?

10. Where does the name Stag Night probably come from? 

D – Learn it! Use it!

Complete these sentences with words from the glossary. (You may have to adapt the expression in some way; e.g. change the verb tense, or change from singular to plural.)

1. The mountain rescue team tied a ________ around the man's chest and pulled him up into the helicopter.

2. We've decided on the date of the meeting but we haven't chosen a ________ yet.

3. The man had on a short-sleeved shirt which revealed his strong ________ arms.

4. Mary works for a company that ________ special equipment for school gyms.

5. Three enemy ________ were destroyed on the first day of the battle.

6. Tim bought his mother an abstract painting and she hung it ______  ______ by mistake.

7. They're building a skyscraper over there, where those tall ________ are.

8. The egg ________ off the table and fell on the floor.    

E – Ready for KET? (Paper 1: Reading and Writing, Part 6)

Read the descriptions of some words connected with getting married. Write the missing letters.

1.     The ceremony in which people get married.           w _ _ _ _ _ _

2.     A woman who is getting married is a bride.

        Instead this is the word for a man.                               g _ _ _ _

3.     The man's friend and witness.                              b _ _ _    _  _ _

4.     This is a long luxurious car that some

people hire for a celebration.                                l _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

5.     You make these when you organise  an event.               a _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

6.     You have to make this if you want to have your

        reception at a hotel or restaurant.                        r _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

F – Check your pronunciation

One of the four words in each group has a different vowel sound. Which one?

1.     solve                 women      modern     stop

2.     bridge       lift            still           high

3.     prove                rope          chose                boat

4.     country     bounce      courage     month

G– Talk about it

In pairs or groups.

1. Are there any special customs or superstitions connected with weddings in Italy or in your region?

2. Have you ever tried bungee-jumping or Zorbing?

3. If not, would you like to?

4. Do you think young people in Italy drink as much as young people in Britain?  


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STAG NIGHT...EXTREME CELEBRATIONS

source:   www.stagnightuk.com

Source: www.speakup.com.br

Language level: A2 Pre-intermediate

Standard accent: British

Speaker: Rachel Roberts

EXTREME CELEBRATIONS

How do people celebrate the night before a marriage in your country? Do they walk across fire for their loved one? Do they jump off a bridge? In Britain, people do both of these things. And it’s all part of a wedding tradition. The famous Stag Night, the night a groom celebrates his last night of freedom.

THE OLD DAYS

Traditionally, Stag Nights involved pubs and an excess of alcohol. Today everything has changed. There’s a new name a Stag Do. It involves an entire weekend of events. Women organise their own celebrations the Hen Party.

ORGANISATION

The organisation of a modern Stag Do is very complicated. There are the travel arrangements, there are a reservations at hotels and night clubs, there are costumes to rent and activities to arrange. So specialist companies now exist to solve all these problems. Extreme Elements is one example. They not only provide limousines, hotels and visits to VIP night club. There is also the most  important element in the package: crazy, extreme activities. There’s bungee jumping from London’s Tower Bridge: high speed boat rides up the Thames. Sphereing or Zorbing –that’s rolling down a hill inside a gigantic ball: driving a tank, and walking on fire.

EXITEMENT

Why do people choose these activities? Bill Parsons says, “ I chose bungee jumping. It was a test of courage, you know, and something I will never forget. “ James Dillard says, “ I have always wanted to drive a tank. It was a fantastic surprise.” Dillard’s Stag Do was organised by his best man.

THE LADIES

A daredevil experience isn’t for everyone. Women, for example, often choose a day at a Beauty Spa. They enjoy relaxing saunas, massage and beauty treatments. Juliet Sanders says, “We loved every minute. It was so luxurious.” But Jean Webb says, “We went white water rafting. We proved we are as courageous as the boys. It was incredible!”

DRINK PROBLEM

One Stag Night element certainly hasn’t changed Saturday night means alcohol, lots of alcohol. The venue may be more exclusive, a VIP night club, and everyone may dress in fancy costumes, but the British still love to drink and drink and drink…

INFO AND DETAILS:

Extreme Element Ltd.

Unit 5, Hove Business Centre

Fonthill Road –Hove, BN3 6HA

Website: www.exelement.co.uk

Bungee Jumping

A rope is attached to your ankles and a harness. London’s Tower Bridge isn’t very hight of 50 metres. They jump off and fall head first. They rop stops them before they hit the water. Then they bounce up because the rope is elastic. Finally, a boat takes them to safety. Anyone is interested in this unique experience must book six months in advance.

Sphereing or Zorbing

This involves a gigantic rubber ball. The ball has an inner chamber. Two people enter this inner chamber. The outer chamber is then filled with air or water. Now everything is really. The ball is released. It rolls down a hill at about 40 kph. The people inside twist and turn upside down. A very disorientating experience!

Fire Walking

A real test of courage. First there’s a seminar on fire, safety procedures and techniques. Next you sign release forms, in case of an accident. Finally, you walk across burning coal – not once, but twice. You can also try broken glass!

HISTORY OF STAG AND HEN PARTIES

The Stag Night is a very old tradition. It started in the 5^th century in Greece. Spartan soldiers celebrated a groom’s last night of freedom. They ate a fine dinner and then drank a lot of wine. Legend then appeared before them. There is also a Celtic tradition: the groom and his friends celebrated the god Cernunnos. He was a large, hairy creature with antlers, called the Black Stag. He was the god of hunting, but also the god of fertility. This may be the origin of the name Stag Night.

Hen Parties started in the 1960s with the rise of feminism. Women wanted to celebrate their last night of freedom, too. The tradition became popular in the 1980s. today Hen Parties are as important to women as Stag Nights are to men.