Culture shock

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Speaking
Class

talking about culture shock

This is a standalone lesson but it can also be used as part of the set titled:

LESSON OVERVIEW

The main objectives of this lesson are to:

  • talk about the meaning and impact of culture shock;
  • watch and discuss a video about culture shock experiences;
  • analyse opinions on culture shock and express agreement or disagreement. 

This lesson focuses on talking about culture shock. Students share their experiences and perspectives on the topic, examine the stages of culture shock and discuss what the experience of a foreign exchange student might be. They watch and discuss a short video about experiencing culture shock, examine viewpoints about it and share whether they agree or disagree with them. Students can also do a vocabulary activity at the beginning of the lesson.

B1 / Intermediate
B2 / Upper Intermediate
45 min
60 min
Speaking ClassUnlimited Plan

This is a Speaking Class worksheet. It includes a variety of tasks that let your students practise their speaking skills. This lesson format does not focus on grammar or vocabulary. Learn more about it here.

TALKING ABOUT CULTURE SHOCK

Before the main part of the lesson, you can do an extra vocabulary activity where students match halves to create phrases related to adapting to a new environment and culture. Then, the lesson starts with a warm-up in which students explain what the phrase ‘culture shock’ means using the words confusion, misunderstandings and unfamiliar. After that, they discuss questions about culture shock, its effects and their own experiences. Afterwards, students examine the stages of culture shock (honeymoon, frustration, adaptation and acceptance) and describe what they think the experience of a foreign exchange student might be like.

VIDEO AND MORE DISCUSSION

In this part of the lesson, students watch a video in which people describe culture shock. They complete statements about the things that surprised them in the video. After that, students answer questions and talk about different aspects of culture shock, advice for dealing with it and its impact on individuals. Then, they analyse and discuss things (e.g. values and beliefs, language, infrastructure and service, etc.) that might cause culture shock for foreigners coming to live in their country. Finally, students evaluate more statements about culture shock and explain whether they agree or disagree with them.

WORKSHEETS

 

Comments

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Leave a Reply

  1. Troy

    Perfect. More on culture related topic lessons would be great. Thank you!

    1. Ewa

      Thanks, Troy. We’ll do our best to deliver more! In the meantime, see other lessons on culture here.

  2. EveSmith

    Nice! As Troy said below, love these lessons related to culture as my students are very diverse.

    1. Ewa

      Great to hear that, Eve 🙂

  3. Natale Emerich Armani

    Hey, cool lesson. It’s just missing the first page with the title on the presentation

    1. Ewa

      Thanks, Natale!
      The title is shown on the fourth slide because the first three slides are of an optional vocabulary activity.

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