Cultural Identity

1. How do your different family members each identify culturally?
2. What did your family do to connect with your culture as a child, if anything?
3. Are there any family members you can’t communicate right now with your current language level? Why?
4. Did your family participate in local cultural activities or travel to a homeland often when you were a kid? What are some of your memories?
5. Was there anything specific you felt pride about from your culture when you were a child? 
6. Was there anything from your culture that you felt shame about as a child?

a. The senior trip ________________________ our studies.

Model Dialog 
Listen the read the model dialog.
(Scenario – Peter and Jim are old friends having beer in a pub.)



Peter: Jim, I’ve been thinking about South Korea lately.
Jim: Yeah, Peter, I sometimes miss Korea too.
Peter: I recall that we could take a walk late at night without fear.
Jim: Not a good idea in many American cities these days.
Peter: What do you miss?
Jim: The respect students showed for teachers. That was nice.
Peter: Yeah. It was a nice change from the rudeness of many young Americans.
Jim: True. On the other hand, I don’t miss the smell of garlic. Most Koreans won’t eat without having Kimchi. What a smell!
Peter: It does smell bad, but I came to like it. I still eat it often.
Jim: Peter, do you want more beer?
Peter: No, Jim. I’m about ready to go home.
Jim: Anyway, why has all this come to your attention now?
Peter: I’ve been thinking about the treasure I brought home from Korea.
Jim: You found treasure in Korea?
Peter: I certainly did––a hardworking Korean wife and a lovely daughter.

Focus on Usage (emphatic do)

• It does smell bad.
• Cultural characteristics do change; however, they change slowly.
• The debate was about the statement that religion does cause war.
• You did get into serious trouble.

Read the following passage, and answer the questions.
Use the words provided below each question.

Cultural Identity 
In 1996, the French Government made a new plan to cut down on American influence on French culture. The French government represented many countries which worried about losing their cultures.
The French stood up for those countries’ rights to try and keep the influence of American culture from taking over the world through movies, television, and music. A number of corporations in America had plans to further expand their influence throughout the world. These companies tried to pass a free trade agreement very favorable to America at the world trade talks. The agreement
did not come about due to the French government’s political power.
The French government then passed a law which made all French radio stations build up the number of French pop songs played over the radio.
Radio stations in France had to play at least four French pop songs out of every ten songs played. Stations which did not stick to this limit of foreign songs would be breaking the law. The French encouraged other countries to do the same.
No one in France expects the new law to stop American influence on the French people. However, they do hope the strength of the influence of American culture will fade away a little over time. Furthermore, the French government’s actions will ensure survival of a multi-cultural world.

cut down on: to reduce; to lessen
stand up for: to support; to fight for
take over: to manage; to control
come about: to happen; to come true
pop: popular
stick to: to follow; to obey; to observe
over time : during a long period of time; as time goes by


1. According to the reading passage, what did the French government do to cut down on the American influence on French culture?

country, influence, music, law, mandatory, minimum
Your answer may begin like: The French government supports the efforts made by countries to reduce the influence of American culture. As far as music is concerned, ....

2. What does the government of your country do to protect the national culture against foreign cultures?
ministry, quota, censorship, film, event, custom
Your answer may begin like: First, one of the central government’s ten departments is in charge of culture-related affairs. Second. ....