English Learning for Beginners: Talking About Your Culture
Dialogue
Alice: Hi Bob, guess what? I just saw a movie about Westonia, and it made me think about our cultures!
Bob: Oh, hey Alice! What did it make you think about?
Alice: Well, in the movie, people eat pizza with forks! We just use our hands for almost everything in Araland. It’s much faster!
Bob: Haha, some people do, but mostly we pick it up. Eating with hands for everything sounds… messy sometimes!
Alice: Not really! We have special wet wipes for our famous ‘Spicy Noodle Soup’. It’s a national sport to eat it without making a mess!
Bob: A national sport? That’s amazing! Do you have any big festivals in Araland?
Alice: Oh yes! We have the ‘Laughing Lantern Festival’. People make huge lanterns that look like funny faces, and then we have a parade. It’s so bright and happy!
Bob: That sounds super fun! We have Halloween, where people dress up in scary costumes and ask for candy. It’s quite different!
Alice: Scary? But why scary? We like happy and funny! What about greetings? Do you bow or something?
Bob: We usually just shake hands or hug close friends. No bowing, mostly. It depends on the situation.
Alice: We do a little dance when we meet new people! It’s called the ‘Welcome Wobble’. Everyone does it!
Bob: A dance? That’s so unique! I’d love to try the Welcome Wobble sometime.
Alice: You should! It’s a great icebreaker. Another thing, we always take off our shoes before entering a house. It’s a very old tradition.
Bob: Oh, we do that sometimes too, especially if it’s muddy outside. But it’s not always required.
Alice: For us, it’s a sign of respect for the home. And always offer tea to guests! Always!
Bob: Offering tea is nice. See, some things are similar, even if others are wildly different! This is fascinating!
Alice: Right? Our cultures are like two different kinds of amazing desserts. Both great, just different ingredients!
Bob: Exactly! We should share more about them.
Current Situation
Talking about your culture is a wonderful way to connect with people from different backgrounds. It helps you understand others better and share what makes your home unique. When you describe your country’s customs, food, or festivals, you not only practice your English but also open up a fascinating world for your friends!
This dialogue shows how friends can share cultural differences and similarities in a fun and lighthearted way. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or explain traditions from your own culture!
Key Phrases
- Guess what?: Used to introduce surprising or interesting news. Example: Guess what? I’m going on vacation next week!
- It made me think about…: Used to introduce a topic you’ve been reflecting on. Example: That song made me think about my childhood.
- In my culture, we…: A common way to describe a custom or tradition in your country. Example: In my culture, we celebrate New Year’s for three days.
- What about…?: Used to ask for information on a specific topic. Example: What about the weather tomorrow? Will it be sunny?
- That sounds (fun/amazing/unique)…!: Used to express your opinion about something you’ve heard. Example: You went skydiving? That sounds amazing!
- It’s called…: Used to name something specific. Example: This traditional dish is called “Pad Thai.”
- It’s a sign of respect.: Used to explain the meaning behind a custom or action. Example: Bowing in Japan is often a sign of respect.
- It’s different/similar!: Used to compare two things. Example: Our languages are very different!
- This is fascinating!: Used to express strong interest or curiosity about something new. Example: Learning about ancient history is fascinating.
Grammar Points
1. Present Simple Tense
We use the Present Simple tense to talk about habits, routines, facts, and general truths. This is perfect for describing cultural customs!
- Form: Subject + Base form of verb (add -s/-es for he/she/it)
Examples:
- We eat rice every day. (Habit)
- She celebrates her birthday in July. (Routine)
- The sun rises in the east. (Fact)
- In my culture, people bow when they meet. (Custom)
2. “Usually” for Habits and Routines
“Usually” is an adverb of frequency that means “most of the time.” We use it to talk about things that happen regularly as a custom or habit.
- Placement: Before the main verb, or after “to be” verbs.
Examples:
- We usually shake hands.
- They usually have dinner at 7 PM.
- It is usually very hot in August.
3. Comparing with “Different” and “Similar”
These words help us talk about how things are alike or not alike.
- Different from: When two things are not the same.
- Similar to: When two things are almost the same or share characteristics.
Examples:
- Your traditions are different from mine.
- This food tastes similar to chicken.
- Our cultures are different, but both interesting.
- Some of our customs are similar.
Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Match the Words
Match the English words with their meanings:
- Culture
- Festival
- Custom
- Greeting
- Respect
Meanings:
- A special day or period for celebration, often with public entertainment.
- Words or actions used when meeting someone.
- A feeling of admiration for someone or something important.
- A traditional and widely accepted way of behaving or doing something specific to a society.
- The shared way of life of a group of people, including their beliefs, food, and traditions.
Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the sentences using the correct word or phrase from the dialogue or grammar points.
- __________ what? I found a new restaurant!
- In my country, we __________ (eat/eats) special cake for holidays.
- __________ about clothes in your culture? Are they colorful?
- For us, taking off shoes __________ a sign of respect.
- My language is very __________ (different/same) from English.
- We __________ (usually/never) visit family on weekends.
Exercise 3: Complete the Sentences about YOUR Culture
Write sentences about your own culture using the prompts.
- In my culture, we usually… (e.g., greet people by shaking hands)
- A big festival in my country is called… (e.g., The Spring Festival)
- We usually eat… (e.g., rice with every meal)
- Something different in my culture is… (e.g., we don’t wear hats indoors)
Answers to Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Match the Words
- Culture – 5. The shared way of life of a group of people, including their beliefs, food, and traditions.
- Festival – 1. A special day or period for celebration, often with public entertainment.
- Custom – 4. A traditional and widely accepted way of behaving or doing something specific to a society.
- Greeting – 2. Words or actions used when meeting someone.
- Respect – 3. A feeling of admiration for someone or something important.
Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks
- Guess what? I found a new restaurant!
- In my country, we eat special cake for holidays.
- What about clothes in your culture? Are they colorful?
- For us, taking off shoes is a sign of respect.
- My language is very different from English.
- We usually visit family on weekends. (Or ‘never’, depending on personal habit, but ‘usually’ fits the context of customs better)
Exercise 3: Complete the Sentences about YOUR Culture
(Answers will vary, examples provided below)
- In my culture, we usually drink tea when guests come.
- A big festival in my country is called Diwali.
- We usually eat curry for dinner.
- Something different in my culture is we always remove our shoes indoors.
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