Communicating Cross Culturally, Describing

Character Spoken English IV

Fujian Normal University

Opinion: West vs East

Tools for Clarification

• Ask for feedback - ask the other person to tell you whether they understand

• Check by Saying Something Another Way

 • Give Feedback - show the other person whether you

understand

• Check by Repeating - repeat part of what the other person said using a “question voice” or rising tone

Tools for ClarificationAsk for feedback - ask the other person to tell you whether they understand

 •Okay?•You know?•(You) got that?•Do you understand?•(Do) you know what I mean?•Any questions?

Check by Saying Something Another Way

•(So) you mean ...?•Do you mean ...?•In other words, ...?

Tools for Clarification

Give Feedback - show the other person whether you understand

UnderstandOkay. All right. Uh-huh. Um-hmm. (I) got it. I understand.

Don’t UnderstandHmm? I’m confused.I don’t understand.I’m not sure what you mean by _____.I’m not sure I understand what you said about _____.I understand this, but could you explain the (other/next/first/last) thing you said?

Tools for Clarification

Check by Repeating - repeat part of what the other person said using a “question voice” or rising tone

Repeat the word (s) you thought you heard

Repeat the word(s) that came before the word you didn’t understand

Repeat the word(s) that came before the word you didn’t understand, together with a question word (like “who”, “what”, “where”, “when”, “why” or “how”)

Exercise Explain to your partner how to do something using

English. For example:

• Play a sport or game

• Make a dish

• Make an art piece

• Buy a train ticket

Partners, try to use clarification tools and give feedback if an instruction is unclear.

Provide comments to show you understand the ideas or words being said.

“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 to

Why 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.

Correcting Miscommunication

What would you do if a stranger pronounced your name incorrectly?

Sentence Patterns to Correct Politely

• Sentences begin with: “uhm…” “well…” “Actually…” “I think….”

• I think the homework is actually due a week from Thursday.

• Actually, the homework is due a week from Thursday.

• I think you may be mistaken. I thought the teacher said it’s due a week from Thursday.

Correct me!

• Think of a sentence that is untrue.

• Tell your partner

• Your partner should correct the sentence using the patterns for correcting politely

• After 1 minute, swap partners!

Correcting Misunderstandings• Talk to the person directly

– “I’m sorry. Did I say/do something to upset you?”– “I didn’t mean to upset you”– “I think we may have misunderstood each other”

• Talk to the person a few days later– “Do you have a few minutes to talk about what

happened the other day?”– “Can I talk to you about what happened a few days

ago?”– “I think we may have had a misunderstanding. Can

we talk about it?

Correcting Misunderstandings

• Explain the situation to a third person and ask for advice– “Something happened to me the other day that I don’t

understand. Could I tell you about it and see if you have some advice?”

– “Why do you think he/she said that?”– “What would most Americans/Canadians do in this

situation?”– “What would you do in this situation?”

Next Week: 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 way

4. Decide which reason is the most likely one

Positivefriendly

polite

courteous

hospitable

considerate

respectful

kind

quiet

helpful

thoughtful

responsible

Negativeunfriendly

impolite

discourteous

inhospitable

inconsiderate

disrespectful

unkind

noisy, loud

unhelpful

thoughtless

irresponsible

Describing Character

Homework

1. Describe a conflict you’ve seen before or have been a part of

don’t say any names

include details of the situation only

written submission (50-100 words, 1 paragraph)

2. What is peace? What is the opposite of peace?

List words only (no sentences)

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.