Урок английского языка в 9 классе "The U.S.A. Peculiarities of behavior in public places"

1. Warming up

Teacher: Good afternoon, pupils! Take your seats, please. I’m very glad to see you. Let’s start our lesson.

So many countries, so many cus­toms. Each nation has its own peculiar life style. What is usual in one country may seem odd in another. The roots of peoples' behavior can sometimes be found in their past. Even the geographical position and the climate have shaped distinctive traditions and manners. E.g. in Russia, a country with a severe cli­mate, it is natural to serve hot tea, while in the U.S. they offer you iced tea. So let's observe some customary things of Russia and the USA in order to let you feel at ease everywhere.

Language is a means of communication. But people can achieve understanding using gestures as well.

2. Doing the exercise

Teacher: Match each picture with a suitable expression.

A. Could you come here for a minute?

B. Could you keep the noise down?

С. Great!"

D. I'm warning you.

E. I don't know.

F. Who, me?

(Key: A3, B6, C5, Dl, E4, F2).

Teacher: Which gestures are the same in your country? Which ones are different? Can you think of any gestures that are often used in your country?

Учащиеся знакомятся с особенностями американских жестов, практикуются в их использовании, заостряют свое внимание на жестах, которыми пользуются непро­извольно, сравнивают для определения разницы и последующего правильного использования их в общении с американ­цами.

3. Listening of the text «Personal Space and Handshaking»

Pre-listening

Teacher: Now let's speak about personal space and handshaking. The former leader of the USSR L. Brezhnev used to embrace and kiss men on the cheek to greet them. Such behavior shocked foreigners. Which of the following would be considered acceptable behavior in public?

Teacher: Let’s listen to the text "Personal Space and Handshaking".

Снятие трудностей: (На доске выписаны незнакомые уча­щимся слова)

privacy - уединение

violate - нарушать

tend to guard - склонные охранять

offensive - агрессивный

invasive - захватнический

intimate - интимный, личный

maintain - защищать

elbow - локоть

appropriate - подходящий

casual - случайный

peer – равный

While-listening

Personal Space and Handshaking

In the U.S., the concept of individuality is connected with the rights to privacy and personal space. Personal space is an empty space between an individual and other people in which the individual is free to move and which others cannot violate. People in the U.S. tend to guard their personal space and often feel that those who do not respect it are being offensive, invasive or too intimate. Generally, people in the U.S. stand about two feet (about 60 cm) apart from one another, whenever possible. This is true when people are conversing, waiting in line (especially in banks), or on public transportation.

Standing closer is usually allowed for those with whom one is more intimate. Thus, when two people are introduced, the only appropri­ate form of physical contact is a handshake. The handshake, with the right arm extended forward horizontally, allows personal space to be maintained. Other forms of physical con­tact (such as touching the elbow, shaking a person's left hand with your right hand, or kissing the hand) are considered too intimate. People in the U.S. shake hands when they are first introduced to someone, and when they haven't seen an acquaintance for a long time.

When one is introduced to someone, hand­shaking is often appropriate. In general, peo­ple in the U.S., shake hands more often than Europeans. People (men and women) usually shake hands when introduced in business or professional situations. In casual situations (such as one friend introducing a peer to another peer) men usually shake hands. For women in similar situations it is not custom­ary to shake hands but occasionally, some do.

Mind that the Americans rarely shake hands to say good-bye, except on business occasions.

Teacher: Now, let’s do next exercise for checking comprehension of the text.

1. True or false:

- When one is introduced to someone, hand­shaking is not acceptable.

- Such forms of physical con­tact as touching the elbow, shaking a person's left hand with your right hand, or kissing the hand are considered too intimate.

- People in the U.S. shake hands when they haven't seen an acquaintance for a long time.

- In casual situations (such as one friend introducing a peer to another peer) men usually embrace each other.

- For women in similar situations it is not custom­ary to shake hands but sometimes they do it.

2. Answer the question:

- What are the rules about greeting people in your country?

- When do you shake hands?

- When do you kiss?

- What about when you say goodbye?

Post-listening

Teacher: Read the dialogue and practice your behavior taking into consideration the information of the text.

C: Mrs. Andrews, this is Peter Brown.

A: Pleased to meet you.

B: How do you do?

A: I hope you're enjoying your stay here.

B: If it weren't for the climate, I'd like it here very much.

A: It always takes time to get used to a new place.

Teacher: At a first meeting, what can you talk about? Can you ask these questions? : Check (+, ?) the right box.

Teacher: Make up your own dialogs like the previous one, taking into consideration the information from the box.

5. Presentation of new material «Table Manners»

Teacher: Now let’s see how Americans behave at the table. Look at the picture. You see an American place setting.

Imagine you and your sister (brother) decided to arrange a party for your American friends. Your sister (brother) doesn’t know how to set the table “in style”. Say what things he (she) should use and where to put them. Don’t forget that the table should look beautiful, so think of the color of the tablecloth, and napkins, flowers, candles, etc. The words in the box can help you:

Teacher: What the differences are between an American and Russian place setting?

Teacher: You also should not forget some rules of behavior at the table.

Rules:

• Not saying "please" and "thank you" at the table when requesting or receiving food is generally considered rude.

• Bananas - break into pieces before eating.

• Soup - spoon soup away from you.

• Napkins - should be unfolded on your lap.

• Don't serve yourself from a common dish with used utensils from your place setting.

Teacher: What are the differences and similarities between table manners in the U.S. and in your country?

6. Reading of the text «Gifts»

Pre-reading

Teacher: When people return home they usu­ally bring gifts to their family or close friends. Is it common for you? Do you usually give presents to your friends? Read the text "Gifts" and answer the questions.

Gifts

A business person does not often give gifts to clients or business acquaintances. An employee who is retiring, getting married, or having a child, will usually receive a gift from his colleagues. An employee sometimes brings back inexpensive gifts for colleagues after a vacation. When receiving a gift, Americans often say, "Can I open it now?" This shows that they are pleased at being offered a gift. When visiting someone's home for dinner, the guest usually brings a gift such as flowers or a bottle of wine. Business acquaintances do not often exchange gifts at Christmas, but usually send each other Christmas cards.

While-reading

1. Are gift-giving customs different in your country? In what ways?

2. Are there any special occasions for giv­ing gifts in your country?

3. A foreigner is visiting your country on business. What advice would you give him or her about giving gifts?

Rounding off

Teacher: You have practiced a lot and I hope you won't be at a loss if you meet Americans. When you are better adjusted you'll accept food, drinks, habits and customs, even begin to enjoy some of them and feel comfortable with daily life.

Home assignment:

Teacher: Your home task is to write a small essay about differences between Russians and Americans which you surprised most of all.

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