English V - Week 1 - Welcome to the Course

Introduction: In today's class we are talking about rules of politeness and respect in different cultures and families. Follow your teacher's instructions to complete the tasks below.

Task 1: Nice to Meet You (10 minutes) 

Have a conversation to get to know your partners. Ask and answer questions to learn basic personal information.

• Name
• Hometown
• Studies (past, present, future)
• Work
• Hobbies and favorite things

Now discuss some of your previous experiences with English classes in this university and in other places.

Click the picture to see the full size.

Task 2: Put the Pieces Together

Click on the link below. Then find the space in the document that corresponds to your group and follow the instructions. Be ready to share you ideas with the rest of the class when we go back to the main room. If you finish early, go to Task 3.

• Shared Document: CLICK HERE

Task 3: Class Rules and Requests

Online classes and face to face classes are not the same. What are some recommendations we should follow to make this course a nice experience? 

• What do you need from: the teacher, your partners, and yourself?
• What you want your teacher, your partners, and yourself to do?
• What are some positive actions that your teacher, your partners, and you can do to contribute to a nice learning experience in this course?

Task 4: Group Discussion

In today's class we are going to talk about rules and customs of polite behavior in different societies. Click play on the video timer and discuss the following questions for 5 minutes. 

• What options exist for public transportation in Costa Rica? 
• Which is the most comfortable? Least comfortable?
• What are some rules or customs of polite or "correct" behavior in the different forms of public transportation?
• How do you feel when someone does not follow these rules and customs?

Now, watch this short video about the public train system in Japan and discuss these questions.

• What happened in the video?
• How did the people react?
• What are some possible explanations for this phenomenon?
• How would a Costa Rican feel in this situation? Why?

Task 5: Reading - Cruel to Be Kind

You are going to read about a parenting style called "tiger mother parenting" and express your opinions about it. Before you read, discuss the questions below with your partners. 

Which of these things do you think should be:

• Controlled strongly by parents?
• Controlled a little by parents?
• Left to the child to decide?

• Watching TV
• Practicing a musical instrument
• Going out to play with friends
• Doing homework
• Choosing which subjects to study in school
• Choosing activities outside school
• Using the internet

Now go to page 82 in your book and read the article "Cruel to Be Kind" and answer these questions. You do not need to write, only discuss. If your e-book is not working, CLICK HERE.

• What is a "tiger mother"?
• What are a tiger mother's attitudes about watching TV, practicing a musical instrument, going out to play with friends, and doing homework?
• What are the results of Amy Chua's "tiger mother" parenting?
• Are the typical parents in Costa Rica "tiger parents"? If not, what name could you give to their parenting style?

Task 6: Setting the House Rules

Imagine your family will receive a group of high school exchange students from other countries. These international teenagers will live with you for 6 months and they come from very different cultures. Create a list of house rules for them to understand appropriate and polite behavior in the house and in different social situations. 

CLICK HERE then go to your group's section of the document.