TED Talk- Weird or just different?

Discussion

• What is unique to your country or culture? How do you think your country is different to others?
• Is it a good thing for countries and cultures to be different? How can we use this difference?
• Do you know anything about other countries that seems strange to you?

True or False?

• In Japan, streets are named in exactly the same way as they are in other countries.
• There are some doctors in China that you pay when you are healthy, and don’t pay when you are sick.
• Sivers says that whatever assumptions we have, the opposite may also be true.
• Houses in Japan are numbered in the way they are ordered around the outside of the block
• West African music is exactly the same as every other type.

Vocabulary

• To assume
• To presume
• Realize
• Opposite
• Brilliant (Idea)
• Obvious

assume vs presume

• Assume and presume both mean to believe something before it happens
• when you assume- you're not really sure
• e.g. First, based on your question, we'll assume you're a recent college graduate.

presume

• pre "before" + sumere "to take," - like taking something for granted.
• It means to be sure of something before it happened
• e.g. If a person is missing for nine years in that country, he is presumed dead.

assume vs presume

• If someone bangs on your door in the middle of the night, you might assume (and hope!) it's your crazy neighbor.
• If your neighbor knocks on your door every night at 6:30, at 6:29 you can presume she's coming over in a minute.

Make sentences

• To assume
• To presume
• Realize
• Opposite
• Brilliant (Idea)
• Obvious

“It must be true because…”

“It might be true, but I’m not sure because…”

“It can’t be false…

Discussion

• Which cultural differences did you think were the most interesting? Why?
• Do cultural differences like these make one country better than another? Why / Why not?
• Is it ok to talk about one country or culture being better than another? Why / Why not?

Discussion

• If you could change something about your country, what would it be and why?
• What do you think is the best way to learn about another country?
• What do you think defines a culture?
• What is the weirdest thing you have ever learned about another country? What is the best or most ingenious?

Mini-Debates

• Milk bags are way better than bottles!
• Driving on the right is so much better than driving on the left!
• Everyone should have a siesta in the afternoon!
• Tipping should be illegal.
• Cycling is too dangerous. It should be illegal to ride on the road.