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Unit 21 Lesson 5
Globalisation and our cultural identity
Objectives: By the end of the lesson you will have
• talked about specific cultures
• discussed some Bangladeshi customs
• read a passage on globalisation of culture
• discussed questions on the passage
• completed six sentences and arranged them into a paragraph
• written a short composition
A Culture usually denotes the ideas, beliefs and customs that are shared and accepted by people in a society or community. We can, for example, refer to 'Bengali culture', 'British culture" or 'Japanese culture'. A particular custom may prevail in one society, while it may go against another society. For example, your culture does not permit you to smoke in the presence of your teacher but this is not at all offensive in Western societies.
Discuss in pairs some customs accepted in Bangladeshi culture and some customs which this culture does not permit.
B Read the following passage about the globalisation of culture.
Although globalisation is mainly connected with business, trade and international relations, it is no longer viewed from that perspective-alone. The tide of globalisation is now encroaching into other spheres too. Satellite television channels and the internet are bringing all sorts of different customs and behaviour into our homes. Under the influence of globalisation, global cultures are steadily getting integrated with local cultures. Different cultures are constantly interacting. As an independent nation, we have our own traditional social values, beliefs and attitudes. But in the globalising process, many foreign customs and beliefs arc intruding on them. This is having a profound impact on our young generation in particular. The intrusion of foreign culture is seen by many as a threat to our national cultural identity.
Now discuss in small groups the questions below.
1 Mow arc Eastern and Western cultures getting mixed?
2 What do you understand by 'cultural intrusion'?
3 How is satellite television affecting our culture? Give some examples.
4 Look at the concluding sentence of the passage. Do you agree that foreign culture is a threat to our cultural identity?
5 What elements of other cultures do you notice in your society?
C Fill the gaps in the following sentences with the words in the box.
overcome
accustomed
contusion surprise
diametrically
expectations patterns
unfamiliar
experience
1 To their utter -, they may notice or experience things which arc -opposite to their culture.
2 You may -culture shock gradually when you become- to the new way of life.
3 People working or studying abroad often find themselves in - environment.
4 This - can be called culture shock.
5 If they go to a country with very different customs and behaviour -, they may find that all of their.- about people of that country are not valid.
6 This mismatch between their expectations and reality may cause - for sometime.
Now arrange the sentences to make a connected paragraph.
D One of the effects of globalisation is cultural assault. Write 8-10 sentences supporting or refuting this statement.
Focus:
Skills.
Speaking, reading, writing.
Functions.
Supporting / refuting a statement, arranging jumbled sentences. Grammar/Structure.
Subject + get + past participle.
Vocabulary.
perspective, engulf, encroaching, intrude, incorporate, intrusion, pose, imbibe.
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Unit 21 Lesson 5
Globalisation and our cultural identity
Objectives: By the end of the lesson you will have
• talked about specific cultures
• discussed some Bangladeshi customs
• read a passage on globalisation of culture
• discussed questions on the passage
• completed six sentences and arranged them into a paragraph
• written a short composition
A Culture usually denotes the ideas, beliefs and customs that are shared and accepted by people in a society or community. We can, for example, refer to 'Bengali culture', 'British culture" or 'Japanese culture'. A particular custom may prevail in one society, while it may go against another society. For example, your culture does not permit you to smoke in the presence of your teacher but this is not at all offensive in Western societies.
Discuss in pairs some customs accepted in Bangladeshi culture and some customs which this culture does not permit.
B Read the following passage about the globalisation of culture.
Although globalisation is mainly connected with business, trade and international relations, it is no longer viewed from that perspective-alone. The tide of globalisation is now encroaching into other spheres too. Satellite television channels and the internet are bringing all sorts of different customs and behaviour into our homes. Under the influence of globalisation, global cultures are steadily getting integrated with local cultures. Different cultures are constantly interacting. As an independent nation, we have our own traditional social values, beliefs and attitudes. But in the globalising process, many foreign customs and beliefs arc intruding on them. This is having a profound impact on our young generation in particular. The intrusion of foreign culture is seen by many as a threat to our national cultural identity.
Now discuss in small groups the questions below.
1 Mow arc Eastern and Western cultures getting mixed?
2 What do you understand by 'cultural intrusion'?
3 How is satellite television affecting our culture? Give some examples.
4 Look at the concluding sentence of the passage. Do you agree that foreign culture is a threat to our cultural identity?
5 What elements of other cultures do you notice in your society?
C Fill the gaps in the following sentences with the words in the box.
overcome
accustomed
contusion surprise
diametrically
expectations patterns
unfamiliar
experience
1 To their utter -, they may notice or experience things which arc -opposite to their culture.
2 You may -culture shock gradually when you become- to the new way of life.
3 People working or studying abroad often find themselves in - environment.
4 This - can be called culture shock.
5 If they go to a country with very different customs and behaviour -, they may find that all of their.- about people of that country are not valid.
6 This mismatch between their expectations and reality may cause - for sometime.
Now arrange the sentences to make a connected paragraph.
D One of the effects of globalisation is cultural assault. Write 8-10 sentences supporting or refuting this statement.
Focus:
Skills.
Speaking, reading, writing.
Functions.
Supporting / refuting a statement, arranging jumbled sentences. Grammar/Structure.
Subject + get + past participle.
Vocabulary.
perspective, engulf, encroaching, intrude, incorporate, intrusion, pose, imbibe.