Lesson 81

Cultural Differences
Have you ever lived in another country?

Level: Intermediate
Lessons
Lesson contents:
  • Interview 1: Pete & Marion:
    Verb tenses: Present simple, present perfect, special form of past with "used to (do)".
    Vocabulary: originally from & born vs where one lives at the present time, another country as a foreign country, rush/hurry, social etiquette/polite rules, "stuff" as things in general , the use of "spend" with time, regimented/strictly controlled. Use of the question "How so?", the often-confused adverb "actually", and the conjunction "whereas". Review of "you know" as an in interjection.
    Remark: Marion, a native speaker, of English, makes a mistake during this interview, saying "as where" instead of "whereas". Students see proof that everyone makes mistakes, while the use of this conjunction is illustrated and is included in 3 of the 23 quizzes.

  • Interview 2: Jeanette:
    Verb tenses: Present and past simple.
    Vocabulary: Comparisons and contrasts: verbs prefer and dislike, noun "health" used as an adjective in "health insurance". Use of the verb love for liking something very much, "that's why we (did something)" for expressing reasons or motivation, bought.
    Remark: Thanks to the nature of the exercises, students discover how Jeanette unwittingly contradicts herself.

  • Interview 3: Emmanuelle:
    Verb tenses: Present simple, present perfect, past simple, modal verb might.
    Vocabulary: flight attendant, bilingualism, setting, preschool, kindergarten, so on and so forth, never/didn't ever.

  • Interview 4: Danielle:
    Verb tenses: Present simple, present perfect.
    Vocabulary: absolutely, free-spirited, restrictive, conservative, politically, suck.
    Slang or informal usages: way more for much more. "The States" as a singular noun.

  • Interview 5: Carlos:
    Verb tenses: Present simple, present perfect.
    Vocabulary: "to be around", opportunity, options, "no other (country)".

  • Interview 6: Renee:
    Verb tenses: Present simple, present perfect. "Would" for expressing an inclination (I would say that we have more opportunities...), "Could" for polite requests (could you make a comparison or a contrast... ?)
    Vocabulary: privilege, citizen, poverty, lack, available. Expression "for sure".

  • Interview 7: Utkarsh:
    Verb tenses: Present simple, present perfect, like + gerund ("I love coming back here".)
    Vocabulary: Vibe, friendliness, fantastic, warm, welcoming, diplomatic, insular.

  • Interview 8: Sophia:
    Verb tenses: Present simple, present perfect.
    Vocabulary: Honesty, honor, smothered, smarter, "half of the time". Expression "Come on!"

Always watch the video several times without subtitles first. Train your ears! Your pronunciation will be much better if you follow this simple rule.

Problems? See general support or ask your question here.

Have you ever lived in another country or spent a month or more in another country?
Is there anything that you prefer or dislike about the U.S. compared to this country?




Geographic Summary of Comparisons Made by the 8 Interviewees:
Where are they originally from?
Where do they live?
Where have they lived?
Interviewee: Originally from: Has lived or
now lives in:
Pete USA Germany
Jeanette England USA
Emmanuelle Brazil USA
Danielle USA Spain
Carlos Cuba USA
Renee USA Guatemala
Utkarsh India UK, USA, Singapore
Sophia Russia USA

Same video with Precise Subtitles



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Peadagogical Information for Teachers:

What are the advantages of the latest Real English® "Jumbo Lessons"?

• There are twice as many exercises for each dialogue compared to most of our previous lessons. Therefore, there is a lot more natural repetition, and consequently more listening practice, with a greater variety of interactive activity.

• There are tutorial videos for every exercise, showing students how each exercise works!

• Advanced exercise techniques never before used in Real English provide challenges for the students when desirable and make difficult (fast) speech easier to understand

• Better organization in the progression from the easy to the more difficult activities, despite the fact that all exercises are based on spontaneous speech.