Lesson 12: Imagine

Jazz Chant: Well, He Eats Like a Pig

Well, he eats like a pig,

he can’t get enough.

He works like a dog,

he looks real tough.

He smokes like a chimney,

four packs a day.

He sleeps like a log,

what more can I say?

He drinks like a fish,

scotch on the rocks.

When he gets real mad,

he hardly talks.

He cries like a baby

when he’s feeling sad.

He’s the dearest friend

I’ve ever had.

In pairs, read the following situations, and explain: (1) What did you observe? (2) What possible judgments could you make about these observations from your cultural point of view? (3) What is one question you could ask to try to understand the situation better?

Situation #1

On the first day of class, your new North American university teacher sits on one of the desks while she introduces herself. She also tells students to call her by her first (given) name.

(Name order in Chinese: Family Name + Given Name)

e.g. Xi Jinping

(Name order in English: First/Given Name + Family Name)

e.g. Jinping Xi

In pairs, read the following situations, and explain: (1) What did you observe? (2) What possible judgments could you make about these observations from your cultural point of view? (3) What is one question you could ask to try to understand the situation better?

Situation #2

Your university sends you to meet an older (60s) visiting American professor at the airport. He had 2 heavy suitcases and some smaller bags. Several times, you offered to take one of the heavy suitcases, but he insisted on carrying both himself. At one point, he stopped and put the suitcases down, and you just picked one up. Both of you then went off to the waiting car, but he seemed very annoyed with you.

In pairs, read the following situations, and explain: (1) What did you observe? (2) What possible judgments could you make about these observations from your cultural point of view? (3) What is one question you could ask to try to understand the situation better?

Situation #3

You want to attend a course that is being taught by a North American teacher to improve your English listening ability. One day you find her after class, give her a very small gift, and ask her permission. She gives you permission to attend her class, but refuses to accept the gift, even though you offer it to her several times.

“Who am I?”

Tell me about yourself, by writing 15 statements beginning with the words “I am…”

In groups of 3 or 4, take turns reading what you have written. Make sure that you read slowly and clearly. You may read only the parts you feel comfortable sharing with other people. Perhaps you will learn new things about your classmates!

After your group is finished, please hand it in to the teacher.

Last Week’s Homework

Some World GeographyWhat language do they speak in…

1. Germany

2. Israel

3. Brazil

4. Thailand

5. India

6. Egypt

7. Italy

8. Russia

9. Turkey

10. Pakistan

a) Urdu

b) Turkish

c) Thai

d) Russian

e) Portuguese

f) Italian

g) Hindi

h) Hebrew

i) German

j) Arabic

Some World GeographyWhat language do they speak in…

1. Germany

2. Israel

3. Brazil

4. Thailand

5. India

6. Egypt

7. Italy

8. Russia

9. Turkey

10. Pakistan

i) German

h) Hebrew

e) Portuguese

c) Thai

g) Hindi

j) Arabic

f) Italian

d) Russian

b) Turkish

a) Urdu

Some World GeographyWhat do you call a person from…

1. Germany

2. Israel

3. Brazil

4. Thailand

5. India

6. Egypt

7. Italy

8. Russia

9. Turkey

10. Pakistan

11. Norway

12. Switzerland

13. Spain

14. Sweden

15. Vietnam

Some World GeographyWhat do you call a person from…

1. Germany German

2. Israel Israeli

3. Brazil Brazilian

4. Thailand Thai

5. India Indian

6. Egypt Egyptian

7. Italy Italian

8. Russia Russian

9. Turkey Turk

10. Pakistan Pakistani

11. Norway Norwegian

12. Switzerland Swiss

13. Spain Spaniard

14. Sweden Swede

15. Vietnam Vietnamese

Chinese American restaurant menu, 1920

Chinese American restaurant menu, 1920

Language Tools: Acknowledging Other Points of ViewIn discussions, it is often good to acknowledge other points of view before stating your own, especially if you are going to disagree.

As you pointed out: As you pointed out, practicing English with other Chinese people sometimes seems awkward, but I still think we should try.

As you noted: As you noted, practicing English with other Chinese people…

Language Tools: Acknowledging Other Points of View

I can see why you think/feel: I can understand why you feel practicing English with other Chinese people…

I can understand: I can understand why you feel practicing English with other Chinese people…

I realize: I realize practicing English with other Chinese people…

Practice:In groups of 3 or 4, and using your language tools for acknowledging other points of view, choose any of the following topics to discuss. You should have more than one point of view!

- University students should take part-time jobs- The college entrance examination (高考 ) should be abolished- Couples shouldn’t live together before they get married- Smoking should be banned in all public places

“Imagine…”

What would you want to tell your classmates, your friends, your family to imagine? What kind of dreams or hopes would you want them to have for themselves, and for the world?

Write 2 to 3 paragraphs. Each sentence should begin with “Imagine…” or “I can imagine…”

You can write about “big” concepts or ideals, but don’t forget about “little things” (details) as well.

Example: “Imagine the world living together in peace, where people say ‘I’m sorry’ and ‘I forgive you’.”

This Week’s Homework

Imagine (John Lennon)

Imagine there's no heaven.It's easy if you try.No hell below us,Above us only sky.Imagine all the peopleLiving life for today...

Imagine there's no countries.It isn't hard to do.Nothing to kill or die for,And no religion too.Imagine all the peopleLiving life in peace...

You may say I'm a dreamer,But I'm not the only one.I hope someday you'll join usAnd the world will be as one.

Imagine no possessions.I wonder if you can.No need for greed or hunger,A brotherhood of man.Imagine all the peopleSharing all the world...

You may say I'm a dreamer,But I'm not the only one.I hope someday you'll join usAnd the world will live as one.