Wait… What?!

Lead-in

  • What do you think “culture shock” means?
    • Do you think culture shock is always negative? Why or why not?
    • Go online and search its meaning. Were you correct?

PRESENTATION 1

Pre

  • Do you think people should change their behavior to fit into a new culture? Why or why not?

Top Down

  • What are the four stages of culture shock presented in the video? Watch it and find out.
  • Celebration
  • Adjustment
  • Frustration
  • Denial
  • Honeymoon
  • Rejection
  • Adaptation
  • Celebration
  • Adjustment
  • Frustration
  • Denial
  • Honeymoon
  • Rejection
  • Adaptation

Bottom Up

  • Fill in the gaps as you watch the video again.

Example: I really enjoyed working on this _______. > I really enjoyed working on this house.

  1. During stage two, some _______ a real culture shock, severe forms of which can lead to reactions that may need medical attention.
  2. We start to reject local _______ and begin to feel _______ .
  3. We begin to understand the new customs, acquire language skills, and make local friends.
  4. It typically strikes some Japanese _______ who come to the French capital full of _______ and romantic expectations but are then confronted with filth and arrogance.
  5. The _______ shock curve with happiness on one axis, and months in a foreign country on another; shows that, on average, the honeymoon period lasts for _______ 2 months.
  1. During stage two, some experience a real culture shock, severe forms of which can lead to reactions that may need medical attention.
  2. We start to reject local traditions and begin to feel homesick.
  3. We begin to understand the new customs, acquire language skills, and make local friends.
  4. It typically strikes some Japanese tourists who come to the French capital full of excitement and romantic expectations but are then confronted with filth and arrogance.
  5. The culture shock curve with happiness on one axis, and months in a foreign country on another; shows that, on average, the honeymoon period lasts for around 2 months.

Post

  • Talk about a situation when you felt homesick. 
    • When was it? What happened?

Presentation 2

Pre

  • Have you ever met someone from another culture who acted very differently from what you expected? How did you feel?

Top Down

  • What is the video about? Watch it and find out.
  1. How to learn Dutch grammar in a fast and easy way
  2. People from different countries talking about their experiences with Dutch culture
  3. A travel guide showing the best places to visit in the Netherlands
  1. How to learn Dutch grammar in a fast and easy way
  2. People from different countries talking about their experiences with Dutch culture
  3. A travel guide showing the best places to visit in the Netherlands

Bottom Up

  • Watch the video one more time and answer the following questions:
  1. Why do some people in the video like that Dutch people are direct, but others don’t?
  2. The Dutch like to plan everything. How can this be strange for people from other places, like Brazil?
  3. One person says that when they came to the Netherlands, it felt like “coming home.” Why did they feel that way?
  4. Why do people in the video say Dutch people don’t like sharing?
  5. How does speaking Dutch help someone feel more part of life in the Netherlands?
  1. Because in some cultures, like Poland or England, people don’t always say what they really think. For them, Dutch directness can feel too strong. But others like it because they prefer people who say exactly what they mean.
  2. In Brazil, people don’t plan an end time for parties and don’t use calendars so much. They find it strange that Dutch people plan everything and even check their calendar just to go for a drink.
  3. Because they felt the Dutch way of speaking was similar to theirs. They liked how direct people were and thought, “These are my people!”
  4. Because they don’t offer a lot—only one bitterball or one glass of juice per person. This was surprising to some people in the video who come from cultures where people usually share more.
  5. Because Dutch people often switch back to speaking Dutch after a few minutes. In situations where only Dutch is spoken, it can feel uncomfortable, and people realize they are not well integrated yet.

Post

  • Do you think being very direct is a good or bad thing? Why?
  • In your culture, do people plan social events in advance or are they more spontaneous?
  • How do people in your country usually treat guests at parties? Do they offer a lot of food and drink?