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In this intermediate-level ESL lesson, you will learn grammar, vocabulary, and phrases to talk about everyday English topics: an English conversation lesson to talk about customs and taboos in Singapore, Vietnam, England and Greece.
This ESL lesson also comes with a downloadable PDF you can access when you are a member of Pocket Passport.
This ESL video lesson for daily English will help ESL students learn vocabulary, grammar, improve listening and be confident English speakers.
Practical English for everyday situations.
1
Do you always follow the rules?
2
What are some examples of customs and taboos in your country?
3
Are there any taboos which are enforced by the law in your country?
4
Is it acceptable to slurp noodles in your country?
5
Do you think any customs and taboos in your country are outdated?
6
How do people greet each other in your country compared to other countries?
Watch the following ESL YouTube video lesson to talk about culture: customs and taboos.
Watch the ESL YouTube video and answer the following questions on culture and taboos.
1
According to the passage, why do some people chew gum after they eat?
2
How long has chewing gum been illegal in Singapore?
3
Where can you find gum in Singapore?
4
What is slurping your noodles a sign of in some countries?
5
How do people in England feel about eating noisily?
6
How should you gesture to someone to come over to you in Vietnam?
7
In Vietnam, what does it mean to gesture to someone to come over to you with your fingers up?
8
In Greece, where do children put their baby teeth?
Use the illustrations to talk about culture, customs, and taboos.
Match the words on the left with the meanings on the right.
1. Illegal (adj) | A. to drink or eat something with a loud sucking noise |
2. careful (adj) | B. the covering that forms the top of a building |
3. gesture (v) | C. to direct someone’s attention with your finger |
4. point (v) | D. taking care to avoid trouble or danger |
5. fine (n) | E. behaving in a way that is socially correct |
6. freshen up (phr. v) | F. a punishment which a person must pay because they have done something illegal or broken a rule |
7. slurp (v) | G. to do something to make yourself feel cleaner, neater, or better |
8. rude (adj) | H. against the law; not according to law |
9. polite (adj) | I. a movement of the body, hands, arms, or head to express an idea or feeling |
10. roof (n) | J. behaving in a way that hurts other people’s feelings |
Discuss the following quotes about culture, customs, and taboos.
“Most men live like raisins in a cake of custom.”
“A foreigner should consider practicing other countries' customs, manners, and etiquette before visiting the country.”
“If a black cat crosses your path, don't move ahead." This is a fictitious rule but the submissive energy you feel when you follow this rule and dominating energy you feel when you rebel against it are real. Every tribe and society have such absurd rules because mankind has always taken great interest in creating something real out of unreal.”
“Life is a game. And like every game, it has to have some rules and restrictions and customs. But they are supposed to make the game interesting, not tiresome.”
“Taboos are falling across our culture like dominoes. What was unspeakable yesterday dominates talk shows today.”
Discuss the following questions about culture, customs, and taboos
Explain what the word or phrase in bold means and give an example. Example: She was exhausted because she worked until midnight. Meaning: very tired - I’m exhausted because I stayed up and studied all night.
1
Chewing gum has been illegal since 1992.
Meaning /
2
Be careful with this if you go to England though…(finish the sentence – imagination!)
Meaning /
3
You should gesture with your fingers pointed down.
Meaning /
4
Eating noisily is considered very rude!
Meaning /
5
The tooth fairy will normally leave a coin in the place of the tooth.
Meaning /
Watch the video again and complete the sentences.
Welcome to our weekly ________________ 1. This week, we’ll be looking at some interesting ________________________ 2 from around the world.
Chewing gum
You might like to chew gum after you eat to __________________ 3 but watch out if you go to Singapore! Chewing gum has been _______________4 since 1992. You cannot find it in any shops, and if someone is caught selling gum, they can receive a _____________ 5 of up to $100,000!
Eating noisily
In some countries in Asia, it is considered _____________ 6 to make noise when slurping your noodles, as it shows the chef that you are enjoying your meal. Be careful with this if you go to England though – eating ___________ 7 is considered very rude!
Gesturing for someone to come over
If you want someone to come over to you in Vietnam, you should _________________ 8 with your fingers pointed down, brushing your fingers towards you. In the U.S and Europe, this is done with the fingers up instead. In Vietnam, this would mean you were calling the person a dog!
Losing teeth
In England, when children’s baby teeth ______________ 9, they put them under their pillows to be taken by the tooth fairy. The tooth fairy will normally leave a coin in the place of the tooth. In Greece, children don’t put their teeth under their pillows – they throw them onto the ________________ 10!
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