English Lesson (Listening and Speaking): "Culture Shock"

LESSON: TRAVEL ENGLISH (Listening and Discussion)
Topic: “Culture Shock” [British and American accent]

Vocabulary

A. discomfort (adj) – l'inconfort
B. customs (noun) – coutumes. Example: “It is a custom in Asia to remove your shoes when you enter a house.” Q: What is the most unusual custom you have seen or read about? –

C. overwhelming (adj) – écrasante. Example: “I have so much work to do. It is overwhelming.” [J'ai tellement de travail à faire. C'est accablant.]

D. familiar surroundings (noun) – places that we know and feel comfortable. Example: “I feel anxious when I am in unfamiliar surroundings.”

E. over time – after a period of time. Example: "Just keep practicing English. Over time, you will improve.” [Continuez à pratiquer l'anglais. Avec le temps, vous vous améliorerez.]

“Over time” is different from “overtime”. Example: I am paid extra when I work overtime.”

F. patience (noun)
G. diversity (noun) – diversité

Guide Questions
1. What is culture shock?
2. What can be overwhelming according to the speaker?
3. What happens to people who experience culture shock?
4. What should we remember when we experience culture shock? What should we do? 

For the complete transcript, click this

Discussion Questions
1. Have you ever experienced culture shock? If so, what happened? –

2. How do you overcome language barriers when traveling abroad? [Comment surmonter les barrières linguistiques lorsque vous voyagez à l'étranger?]

Sample Answer: Learning a few essential phrases and using translation apps can help bridge language gaps and ease communication.

3. Have you offended locals or embarrassed yourself during your travels because of cultural differences? [Avez-vous offensé des habitants ou vous êtes-vous mis dans l'embarras au cours de vos voyages à cause de différences culturelles?]

4. Do you try local cuisines when you travel, or do you prefer to eat popular international dishes like pasta and chicken?

5. Have you refused to eat a local dish during your travels? Why?

6. How can tourists stay safe and avoid scams or exploitation when dealing with culture shock? [Comment les touristes peuvent-ils rester en sécurité et éviter les escroqueries ou l'exploitation lorsqu'ils sont confrontés à un choc culturel?]

Sample Answer: Staying informed about common scams, using reputable tour operators, and trusting your instincts can help tourists avoid scams and exploitation.