1、Unit 2 Bridging Cultures Using Language(2) Learning objectives In this class, you will 1. read two letters about studying abroad to find the main points and supporting reasons; 2. write a letter to express your opinions on studying abroad. Review Xie Lei had to adapt to life in a different country a
2、nd felt lonely; faced the challenge on the academic requirements; boosted her confidence after giving presentations successfully; not only engaged in British culture but also shared Chinese culture with British people. These years some students are choosing to study abroad. Do you think it is necess
3、ary to study abroad? Why or why not? Thinking A local newspaper has invited parents to share their opinions on studying abroad. Read these two letters and underline each writers main points. Then mark the reasons for their opinions. Activity 1 Letter from Wang Li Paragraph 1: In the past few decades
4、, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of people studying abroad. Although studying abroad can bring great benefits, I think the disadvantages for young people are greater. dramatic: great and sudden Paragraph 1: In the past few decades, there has been a dramatic increase in the number o
5、f people studying abroad. Although studying abroad can bring great benefits, I think the disadvantages for young people are greater. Main point _ _ Start with a fact. Paragraph 2: To begin with, many students who study abroad face great economic pressure. That means studying abroad is just not possi
6、ble for everyone. Tuition fees and living expenses are much more expensive than at home and could end up costing most families an arm and a leg. Studying in China is much more convenient and can help save money. expense: the amount of money that you spend on something Paragraph 2: To begin with, man
7、y students who study abroad face great economic pressure. That means studying abroad is just not possible for everyone. Tuition fees and living expenses are much more expensive than at home and could end up costing most families an arm and a leg. Studying in China is much more convenient and can hel
8、p save money. Reason 1 _ _ _ _ Evidence Paragraph 3: Another important factor to consider is the tremendous pressure that comes with studying abroad. Students must learn how to live in an unfamiliar environment Some may struggle and suffer from culture shock when learning how to behave in new surrou
9、ndings. Other students are not mature enough and may become depressed. Some students might encounter problems with personal safety. In addition, different approaches to teaching and learning may come as a shock to many students. behave: to do things in a particular way mature: behaving in a sensible
10、 way, like an adult Paragraph 3: Another important factor to consider is the tremendous pressure that comes with studying abroad. Students must learn how to live in an unfamiliar environment Some may struggle and suffer from culture shock when learning how to behave in new surroundings. Other studen
11、ts are not mature enough and may become depressed. Some students might encounter problems with personal safety. In addition, different approaches to teaching and learning may come as a shock to many students. Reason 2 _ _ _ _ _ Evidence Paragraph 4: A final point to consider is that while studying a
12、broad does have potential benefits, young people who study in China also have a great future to look forward to! As China has boomed, the educational environment has improved significantly, with many great universities now available. They have great facilities and outstanding professors, helping to
13、educate young people who will contribute to the economy and further strengthen our country. strengthen: to become stronger; to make somebody/something stronger Paragraph 4: A final point to consider is that while studying abroad does have potential benefits, young people who study in China also have
14、 a great future to look forward to! As China has boomed, the educational environment has improved significantly, with many great universities now available. They have great facilities and outstanding professors, helping to educate young people who will contribute to the economy and further strengthe
15、n our country. Reason 3 Evidence _ _ _ Paragraph 5: To sum up, one cannot deny the fact that studying abroad has its disadvantages, so when you think about studying abroad, you should consider these many factors. deny: to say that something is not true State a conclusion. Paragraph 5: To sum up, one
16、 cannot deny the fact that studying abroad has its disadvantages, so when you think about studying abroad, you should consider these many factors. Letter from Wang Li Main point: The disadvantages are greater. Reason 1: To begin with, great economic pressure. Reason 2: Another important factor treme
17、ndous pressure. Reason 3: A final point great future for young people studying in China. Conclusion: To sum up, studying abroad has its disadvantages, Letter from Zhang Yi Paragraph 1: Is studying abroad a good idea or not? There are certainly disadvantages, but in my opinion, the advantages are muc
18、h greater. As I always tell my son, there are no great difficulties for a person who is brave, optimistic, and willing to work hard! optimistic: expecting good things to happen or something to be successful Paragraph 1: Is studying abroad a good idea or not? There are certainly disadvantages, but in
19、 my opinion, the advantages are much greater. As I always tell my son, there are no great difficulties for a person who is brave, optimistic, and willing to work hard! Main point _ Start with a question. Paragraph 2: The first advantage of studying abroad is personal growth. The education you gain a
20、nd the experiences you have will change you for the better. For example, you will certainly become more independent because Studying abroad also helps you to gain a global perspective and improve your general competence. gain: to obtain or win something, especially something that you need or want co
21、mpetence: the ability to do something well Paragraph 2: The first advantage of studying abroad is personal growth. The education you gain and the experiences you have will change you for the better. For example, you will certainly become more independent because Studying abroad also helps you to gai
22、n a global perspective and improve your general competence. _ _ _ _ _ Evidence _ _ Reason 1 Paragraph 3: Another advantage is the increased chance for cultural exchange. Chinese students can be seen as cultural envoys promoting friendship between nations. International students in China also bring t
23、heir colourful cultures here. Cooperating with people from diverse cultural backgrounds helps us view the world from different angles and thus gives us more insight into our own culture. cooperate: to work with someone else to achieve something that you both want angle: a way of considering a proble
24、m or situation Paragraph 3: Another advantage is the increased chance for cultural exchange. Chinese students can be seen as cultural envoys promoting friendship between nations. International students in China also bring their colourful cultures here. Cooperating with people from diverse cultural b
25、ackgrounds helps us view the world from different angles and thus gives us more insight into our own culture. Reason 2 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Evidence Paragraph 4: Finally, studying abroad provides a great opportunity to contribute to the development of our motherland. Chinas global outlook, with projects su
26、ch as the Belt and Road Initiative, has helped us make connections across the world. Therefore, China needs more talented young people with a global perspective Students who study abroad will develop such skills and abilities, and these in turn will provide them with better career opportunities. bel
27、t: a large area of land that has particular features or where particular people live initiative: a new plan or process to achieve a particular aim or to solve a particular problem the Belt and Road Initiative: “一带一路”倡议 Paragraph 4: Finally, studying abroad provides a great opportunity to contribute
28、to the development of our motherland. Chinas global outlook, with projects such as the Belt and Road Initiative, has helped us make connections across the world. Therefore, China needs more talented young people with a global perspective Students who study abroad will develop such skills and abiliti
29、es, and these in turn will provide them with better career opportunities. Reason 3 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Evidence Paragraph 5: All in all, studying abroad helps to build character and increase peoples understanding of cultural diversity while strengthening China and building a shared future for all. I think
30、 this life-changing experience is certainly worthwhile, and I hope my child will study abroad in the future. State a conclusion. Paragraph 5: All in all, studying abroad helps to build character and increase peoples understanding of cultural diversity while strengthening China and building a shared
31、future for all. I think this life-changing experience is certainly worthwhile, and I hope my child will study abroad in the future. Letter from Zhang Yi Main point: The advantages are greater. Reason 1: The first advantage personal growth. Reason 2: Another advantage chance for cultural exchange. Re
32、ason 3: A final point great opportunity to contribute to the development of our motherland. Conclusion: All in all, studying abroad is worthwhile, Wang Li (mother of twin girls): The disadvantages of studying abroad are greater. Give reasons and evidence to support her opinion. Zhang Yi (father of o
33、ne boy): The advantages of studying abroad are much greater. Give reasons and evidence to support his opinion. Think about the following questions. 1. What are some other advantages or disadvantages of studying abroad that were not mentioned in the letters? 2. Which parent would you probably side wi
34、th? Why? Activity 2 One disadvantage of studying abroad is that not all students are suited to it. Some students will never gain the needed language ability or may not get the most from an unfamiliar teaching approach. 1. What are some other advantages or disadvantages of studying abroad that were n
35、ot mentioned in the letters? Think about the following questions. Think about the following questions. 1. What are some other advantages or disadvantages of studying abroad that were not mentioned in the letters? One advantage of studying abroad is the chance to meet new lifelong friends from differ
36、ent cultural backgrounds. Think about the following questions. 2. Which parent would you probably side with? Why? I would probably side with Zhang Yi because I think Wang Lis perspective is too narrow. Think about the following questions. 2. Which parent would you probably side with? Why? Yes, there
37、 are possible disadvantages with studying abroad, but Chinese students are smart and strong enough to overcome these. Meanwhile, the rewards for studying abroad are much greater than any of the disadvantages. Activity 3 Analyse the argumentative letters. 1. Mark the parts of the argument in the lett
38、ers. A. Start with a question or a fact. B. State an opinion. C. Give reasons and evidence to support an opinion. D. State a conclusion. Para. Argument chain Letter 1 (Body part) Letter 2 (Body part) 1 Introducing the topic Fact: dramatic increase in the number of people studying abroad Question: Is
39、 studying abroad a good idea or not? Main point The disadvantages are greater. The advantages are much greater. Start with a question or a fact. State an opinion. Para. Argument chain Letter 1 (Body part) Letter 2 (Body part) 2 Reason 1 great economic pressure personal growth 3 Reason 2 tremendous p
40、ressure chance for cultural exchange 4 Reason 3 great future for young people studying in China great opportunity to contribute to the development of our motherland Give reasons and evidence to support an opinion. Para. Argument chain Letter 1 (Body part) Letter 2 (Body part) 5 Conclusion one cannot
41、 deny the fact that studying abroad has its disadvantages, so you should consider these many factors. this life-changing experience is certainly worthwhile State a conclusion. Para. Argument chain Letter 1 (Body part) Letter 2 (Body part) 1 Introducing the topic /Main point The disadvantages are gre
42、ater. The advantages are much greater. 2 Reason 1 3 Reason 2 4 Reason 3 5 Conclusion State an opinion: Give reasons and evidence to support an opinion: State a conclusion: in my opinion to begin with in addition therefore thus for example such as to sum up all in all 2. Summarize the connectors used
43、 to show the different parts of the argument in the letters. logical: seeming natural, reasonable or sensible 3. Study the words below in the boxes. Activity 4 Read the letters again and then use the connectors in the box to rewrite the sentences below. budget: the money that is available to a perso
44、n or an organization and how it will be spent over a period of time Activity 4 Read the letters again and then use the connectors in the box to rewrite the sentences below. 1. Students who want to study abroad must consider their parents budget. That is to say, they should think about whether they c
45、an afford the costs of studying overseas. To begin with, many students who study abroad face great economic pressure. That means studying abroad is just not possible for everyone. 2. Studying abroad can put great pressure on young people. For instance, they may feel lonely and miss their families. T
46、he education you gain and the experiences you have will change you for the better. For example, you will certainly become more independent because you will have to deal with all kinds of difficulties by yourself. 3. Studying abroad will give students a good education. Besides, it helps them to gain
47、a global perspective. Some students might even encounter problems with personal safety. In addition, different approaches to teaching and learning may come as a shock to many students. 4. Global development strategies help to make connections between China and the rest of the world. As a result, young people with language skills and strong cultural awareness are needed. Chinas global outlook, with projects suc
