Unit 6: Cultural Issues

Vocabulary

Some Values and Their Meaning

1. Culture: The arts and other manifestations of human intellectual achievement regarded collectively
2. Altruism: Selflessness, generosity and kindness
3. Citizenship: The set of rights and duties
4. Initiative: The ability or opportunity to act before others do
5. Tolerance: The ability to accept and respect the opinions and beliefs of others
6.  Intolerance: Unwillingness to accept views, beliefs, or behavior that differ from one’s own
7.  Coexistence: The ability to live together in harmony
8.  Cooperation: Participating and working together towards the same end or objective
9.  Equity: Equal treatment to anyone
10.  Diversity: Showing a great deal of variety; very different
11. Stereotype: A widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person.

Some Values and Their Antonyms

• Altruism vs selfishness
• Tolerance vs intolerance
• Co-operation vs individuality
• Equity vs injustice
• Responsibility vs irresponsibility 
• Love vs hatred
• Harmony vs conflict

Some Collocations Related to Cultural Issues

• Culture diversity
• Civic education
• Moral obligations
• Cultural shock
• Common good
• Global citizenship

Functions

1. Define Your Concept

Here are some expressions that you may use to introduce or give a definition of a word:

….(X)… can be defined as ……(Y)….

….(X)… refers to ….(Y)…

….(X)… designates ….(Y)…

….(X)… means ….(Y)…

….(X)… can be described as ….(Y)

Examples:

– Prejudice can be defined as an unfair and unreasonable opinion or feeling, especially when formed without enough thought or knowledge

– Diversity refers to the fact of many different types of things or people being included in something.

– Racism designates the belief that people’s qualities are influenced by their race and that the members of other races are not as good as the members of your own or the resulting unfair treatment of members of other races

2. Complaining and Apologizing or Saying Sorry

A complaint is expressing displeasure or discontent about a situation or an event.

NOTICE:

Complain (verb)

Complaint (noun)

Complaining

• I have got a bit of a problem here, you see………………
• I am afraid I have to make a serious complaint
• I just don’t know how to say it but,…………………………
• Look, I’m not really satisfied with the way you…………
• I am in the obligation of saying that……….
• I have a serious complaint about………….
• I have been patient long enough, but……………
• I want to complain about….
• Excuse me if I’m out of line, but…
• There may have been a misunderstanding about…
• I’m sorry to bother you, but…

Apologizing

• I do apologize for…
• I must apologize for…
• I apologize for…
• I’d like to apologize for…
• I am so sorry for…
• I shouldn’t have…
• It’s all my fault.
• I’m ashamed of…
• Please, forgive me for…
• Excuse me for …
• I’m terribly sorry for…
• Pardon me for this…
• Please, forgive me for my….
• Please, accept my apologies for…

Accepting Apology

• It’s ok
• It’s not important
• Never mind
• Don’t worry about that

Grammar: Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs consist of a verb and a particle (preposition, adverb). The particle can change the meaning of the verb completely. For example:

• look up – consult a reference book (look a word up in a dictionary)
• look for – seek (look for her ring)
• look forward – anticipate with pleasure (look forward to meeting someone)

Sometimes phrasal verbs consist of three elements:

• look forward to
• put up with
• sit in for

to see a list of the most frequently used phrasal verbs click on: PHRASAL VERBS

Writing: Personal Letter (Informal)

A personal letter (also called informal) is a letter that you write to someone of your age, s/he can be your friend or your sibling, etc. The layout must be respected.

The Sender’s Address
The date

The date
Dear Emma/ Tom
Thanks a bunch for your letter. It was kind of you to let me know about………I was really excited/sad to hear that…………. I shall let you know about………….. First, …………………………………………………………………………………………………. Second, ………………………………………………………………………………..Third, …………………………………………………Finally, ……………………………..

Well, that’s it for now. Hope to hear from you soon

Till then peace and love
Your Name