Unit 10 You're supposed to shake hands
(Section A 1a-1c)
Level: 9th Grade
Objectives:
To introduce and practice vocabulary related to cultural differences and customs.
To use modal verbs to express obligation and prohibition.
To develop students’ listening and speaking skills.
Materials:
Handout with vocabulary words
Pictures of cultural customs
Whiteboard and markers
Procedure:
Warm-up:
Ask students if they have ever experienced a culture shock and how they adapted to the new customs.
Vocabulary:
Give students a handout with vocabulary words related to cultural differences and customs.
Review the words with students, asking them to repeat after you and explaining any unfamiliar words.
Use pictures of cultural customs to help illustrate the words.
Listening:
Play the audio recording of the dialogue for students.
Ask students to listen for the customs that are mentioned and how they differ from their own.
Play the recording again if necessary.
Speaking:
Divide the class into pairs.
Give each pair a picture of a cultural custom.
Ask students to use modal verbs (should, shouldn’t, must, mustn’t) to express obligations and prohibitions related to the custom. For example, “In Japan, you should take off your shoes before entering a house.”
Have each pair present their obligation or prohibition to the class.
Wrap-up:
Ask students what they learned about cultural customs and using modal verbs to express obligation and prohibition.
Have students share their thoughts on the importance of respecting cultural differences when traveling or living in a foreign country.
Assessment:
Observe students during the speaking activity and note their ability to use modal verbs to express obligation and prohibition.
Evaluate their participation in the class discussion.
Extension:
To extend this lesson, you could have students do a role-play activity where they act out a scenario where they encounter a cultural difference. For example, one student could pretend to be a visitor from another country and the other student could pretend to be a host. The visitor could accidentally break a cultural rule, such as not taking off their shoes before entering the house, and the host could explain the proper custom and demonstrate how to follow it.
Homework:
For homework, ask students to research a cultural custom from a country other than their own and write a short paragraph about it. They should include information about the custom, its significance, and any related obligations or prohibitions. Encourage them to use some of the vocabulary and modal verbs they learned in class. Collect and review the paragraphs at the beginning of the next class session.