Correcting Miscommunication, Describing Character

Spoken English IVFujian Normal University

“I Gave it Away” Jazz Chant

Clarification tools

I gave it away.You what?

I gave it away.What did you say?

I said I gave it away.Gave it away?

That’s what I said.I said I gave it away.

Why?Because I wanted to.

You wanted to?Yes, I wanted to.

Why didn’t you sell it?Sell it?

Yes, sell it, sell it.Why didn’t you sell it?

I didn’t want to.Why not? Why not?

I didn’t want to.Why not? Why not?

I didn’t want to.Why didn’t you give it to me?

I didn’t want toWhy didn’t you give it to him?

I didn’t want to.Why didn’t you give it to her?

I didn’t want to.Why didn’t you give it to them?

I didn’t want to. I didn’t want to.

Adjectives to Describe Character

1. What does a “friend” mean?

2. What English words would you use to describe your best friend?• Start with :

“I like my best friend because they are.......”

Positivefriendly

politecourteoushospitable

consideraterespectful

kindquiet

helpfulthoughtful

responsible

Negativeunfriendlyimpolitediscourteousinhospitableinconsideratedisrespectfulunkindnoisy, loudunhelpfulthoughtlessirresponsible

Describing Character

Other Affixes

1. in- : 2. im- : 3. un- :4. dis- :  5. ir- : 6. -less :

You will be given a group of words describing character.In groups of 4, determine which affix should be added to the

word to make it have the opposite meaning.

Describing CharacterWhat kind of boyfriend/girlfriend do you want?I want a _______ kind of boyfriend/girlfriend

What kind of person is your mother? father?My mother/father is ___________

When you die, how do you want to be remembered?I want to be remembered as a ______ person

What character flaw do you wish to change about yourself?Sometimes, I’m too ______. I wish I could be more _______

Other Affixes

1. in- : inactive, indirect, independent, insensitive 2. im- : imbalanced, immature, impatient, impossible3. un- : uninteresting, undecided, ungraceful, unloving 4. dis- : disinterested, disloyal, displeased, dissatisfied 5. ir- : irresponsible, irrational, irresistible6. -less : hopeless, helpless, powerless, harmless

Correcting Miscommunication:Culture Clash Discussion

• In groups of 4, you will be given a cultural situation card to read

• Answer the following questions:1. What did you expect the North American to do?2. How would you feel in this situation?3. List possible reasons why the North American would

behave this way4. Decide which reason is the most likely one

• Choose 1 person to read the situation aloud to the group and 1 person to record the group answers.

Situation 1: Gift giving (Class)Expectations Accept the gift

Feelings Sad, frustrated, confused, embarrassed

Reasons She thinks its fair to give scholarship to good studentsWill destroy her reputation.Education system in the US is considered “fair” so if she accepts it, it will go against her belief.The gift is too expensive.Teacher thinks it will create a bad influence or bad feelings between students.

What to do Give it to her on her birthdayChange to a gift that you made by yourselfWrite a note asking the teacher “why”?Ask someone else to explain?

Situation 1: Gift givingExpectations Teacher should not refuse the gift

Feelings surprised, confused, hurt, disappointed, embarrassed, angry

Reasons She doesn’t like or want the gift.There is a “rule” in her culture that keeps her from accepting it.She is just being polite.She is afraid other students will find out and she would be accused of “favoritism” She thinks you are poor and cannot afford to give expensive gifts.If she accepts your gift, she will feel “obligated” to you

What to do Explain to her why you are giving the gift to her according to the Chinese cultural point of view, and kindly ask her to explain why she cannot accept it. Keep the gift but talk to a third person later to try to understand what happened.

Situation 2: Friendship (Class)Expectations Hoped he/she would sit and talk to you and

have dinner together

Feelings Embarrassed, disappointed, confused, upset, heartbroken, hurt, dissatisfied, helpless,

Reasons He has made appt with friends beforehandFeels its easier to be with his friendsHe thinks he isn’t familiar enough with youDidn’t like youHabit to eat in their own groupToo shy

What to do Ask to explain why via email (later)Join the other groupMake friends with them.Keep trying in the future unless he says “go away”Ask someone else why

Situation 2: FriendshipExpectations He should sit with you because you are friends.

He should sit with you, instead of joining a group, because you are alone.

Feelings surprised, confused, abandoned, hurt, disappointed, angry

Reasons He really doesn’t like you.He doesn’t like Chinese students.He had things to discuss with the other foreign students.His foreign friends may be upset if he doesn’t sit with them.He’s more comfortable sitting with old friends than someone (you) he doesn’t know wellHe feels it is harder for him to communicate with you because of language problems or cultural differences.Speaking in Chinese all day long in classes makes him tired, so it is easier to speak with native speakers of English.

What to do Don’t take it as an insult. Keep trying to be friends with him.Talk to him about it later. Talk to a third person to try to understand foreign students’ behaviours

Situation 3: Politics (Class)Expectations Criticize their government together with you

Feelings Embarrassed, indignant, wronged, uncomfortable, angry, upset, confused

Reasons They are patriotic. They are critical of their own government but still love their country.They don’t like ChinaThey are gossiping. Nothing interesting to talk about.They are pessimistic people.They feel offended by your comment.

What to do Call another group to argueNever talk to them again (silence)Talk to them peacefully to explain why you said what you said. Apologize for offending them

Situation 3: PoliticsExpectations If they are criticizing their own government, it must be

okay for me to criticize their government, too.

Feelings confused, surprised, angry, anxious

Reasons They don’t like you.They like you, but they don’t agree your criticism.You didn’t communicate your ideas clearly and they have misunderstood you.In their culture, it is okay to criticize the government, but they are uncomfortable when outsiders criticize their country.

What to do Continue participating in the discussion, but listen more and say less, trying to understand them. Apologize for upsetting them and ask some cultural questions to understand the situation better.Sometime later, talk about what happened to one person in the group whom you like and trust.Talk to a third person later to try to understand their behaviour

Homework

1. Describe a conflict you’ve seen before or have been a part ofdon’t say any namesinclude details of the situation onlywritten submission (50-100 words, 1 paragraph)

2. What is peace? What is the opposite of peace?List words only (no sentences)

Introduction to the Language of Peace

Peace Web

• What does it mean?• Where is it found?• How do we learn it?• What is the opposite of peace?

Mind Mapping: Peace Web

Peace

Homework

• Review the vocabulary from the peace web. Use the dictionary to look up the meanings of any words which are new to you. Also practice saying and writing the words.

• Next week: Inner Peace

Mid term Exam

• Date: April 26, 2013• Value: 30% of final mark• Write a speech about “I am…..” which will be

about 18-20 sentences • Each line should begin with “I am…”• Use the instructor’s speech “I am” as a guide

to preparing your assignment• Written part must be submitted• Pronunciation, Fluency, Vocabulary,

Grammar, Depth, Length will all be part of the assignment grade.