Speaking
Date: 2015-10-07; view: 533.
This activity will prepare you to read the case study by presenting you with the basic issues that the case study will address. Read the following statements. Then respond to each one by writing yes or no in the blanks to express your agreement or disagreement. Although your first response to some statements may be "I don't know," try to make a decision about as many statements as possible. After completing the activity, discuss your answers with the members of the class.
1. I experienced culture shock and feelings of alienation after I arrived in the United States.
2. Life in the United States is not that much different from life in my country.
3. North Americans are much more liberal in their attitudes toward moral issues than I
am.
4. The food in the United States is not very appealing to me.
5. I have had trouble getting used to the climate here.
6. It is hard to make friends with North American students in the United States.
7. Almost all of my close friends here are from my native country.
8. Although most North American students are friendly, their friendliness seems superficial
and insincere.
9. I feel worried about whether I will be able to master the English language.
10. I have not had many problems coping with life in the United States.
11. I accept and respect most North American customs and traditions.
12. Universities and colleges should provide their international students with support in
order to help them adjust socially and academically.
Culture shock and cultural adaptation:Vocabulary
Study the following words and their definitions:
| adapting adjust alienation appealing assimilated barriers bland bold climate coping counselor culture | modifying oneself according to changing circumstances to adapt or conform to new conditions; to become familiar with a new culture, its language and behaviors isolation and withdrawal from the values of the society attractive, interesting absorbed into a culture or society obstacles that prevent progress or achievement without spice or strong taste assured, confident, daring prevailing weather conditions (temperature, wind velocity, precipitation) dealing with and attempting to overcome difficulties person who gives advice or counseling ideas, customs, skills, arts of a given people in a given period; customary beliefs, social forms, material traits, and behaviors of a racial, religious, or social group |
| culture shock customs depression empathize insincere liberal | state of emotional and physical distress resulting from living in a culture that is different from your own; sense of confusion and uncertainty sometimes with feelings of anxiety that may affect people exposed to an alien culture without adequate preparation social conventions carried on by tradition and enforced by social disapproval of any violation state of severe sadness and lack of energy to understand, be aware of, be sensitive to the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another person not honest or genuine; hypocritical broad-minded; not strict in observance of traditional forms |
| master moral optimistic preconceived self-reliant stereotype superficial thrilled traditions values | to become skilled or proficient in the use of relating to principles of right or wrong in behavior anticipating the best outcome formed prior to actual knowledge or experience believing in one's ability to handle problems and make decisions standardized, oversimplified mental picture of a person or group lacking in depth; presenting only an appearance extremely excited and happy long-established customs or practices that have the effect of unwritten laws ideas, beliefs, practices that are important to an individual or a group; principles of ethical behavior |
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| Double Face | | | After you read the case study, discuss the major problem the case presents and answer the discussion questions with the members of the class. |