Made by Sophia Wortmann
Lesson 8: The US culture
This lesson is about different aspects of the American culture. You will read a text, focus on grammar and write an email as an exchange student.
For this lesson, we have some goals in place so you know what you will be doing, and what you will need to have achieved at the end of the lesson.
At the end of the lesson:
- You can understand the diversity, values and traditions of the American culture.
- You can use your knowledge of American culture to explain different aspects of it.
Planning for this lesson:
What do you already know?
Read a text about American culture.
Use different reading strategies.
Create a mind-map.
Grammar: Position of Adverbs
Write an email as an exchange student.
For this lesson, we have some goals in place so you know what you will be doing, and what you will need to have achieved at the end of the lesson.
At the end of the lesson:
- You can understand the diversity, values and traditions of the American culture.
- You can use your knowledge of American culture to explain different aspects of it.
Planning for this lesson:
What do you already know?
Read a text about American culture.
Use different reading strategies.
Create a mind-map.
Grammar: Position of Adverbs
Write an email as an exchange student.
Use the Padlet below to answer the questions.
Before reading:
Look at the title and the photos. What do you think the text is about? While reading: Read the text and highlight words you don’t know yet and look them up in a dictionary Exploring US Culture |
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American culture has incredibly diverse influences from around the world. People from other countries have come to live in the United States, making it wonderfully diverse. This diversity can be clearly seen in various aspects like food, music, and traditions.
There are many different cultures that influence people’s lifestyles and not everyone behaves or thinks the same way. But, there are many Americans who share similar ways of life and general values.
American values are ideas and practices important to people in the United States. Each country has values that help shape how people live in that country and their laws. Individual people have their own values that may be different.
One particularly big part of American culture is its history of freedom and people doing things on their own. The United States started with ideas about liberty and democracy.
Americans highly value independence, the ability to shape their own identity and future, and their freedom of making their own choices. The bald eagle is a symbol of America, representing its strength and freedom.
The majority of Americans are proud of their country. Many feel patriotic and believe the United States is the best country to live in. Americans appreciate the rights they have. Many take pride in the United States being a strong and influential country.
Also, Americans believe strongly in equality. They think everyone should be treated the same, no matter their gender, race, age, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, or religion.
There is no official language in the USA. English is the most widely used language but there are many other languages spoken.
In the USA, there are a lot of different religions. The majority of people describe themselves as Christians. This is followed by those who practice Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam. In the last few years, the number of people who do not identify with a religion has also grown.
Another important thing about American culture is its popular stuff like movies and music. Hollywood is where lots of famously entertaining movies are made. American music includes jazz, blues, rock and roll, and hip-hop.
In addition to popular culture, American culture also includes traditions that have been passed down through generations. Holidays like Thanksgiving and the Fourth of July are particularly important times for families and communities to joyously come together and celebrate.
In the United States, food wonderfully reflects its diverse population, with dishes from many different cultures. There are timeless classics like hamburgers and apple pie, as well as regional favorites like Tex-Mex and Cajun cuisine.
Sports are also incredibly important in American culture, with activities like baseball, basketball, and American football powerfully bringing people together and creating a strong sense of community.
American arts are extremely diverse and vibrant, with literature, theater, and dance being widely recognized and appreciated around the world.
Furthermore, entrepreneurship and innovation are highly valued in American culture, with many world-renowned companies like Google, Apple, and McDonald's starting in the United States.
There are many different cultures that influence people’s lifestyles and not everyone behaves or thinks the same way. But, there are many Americans who share similar ways of life and general values.
American values are ideas and practices important to people in the United States. Each country has values that help shape how people live in that country and their laws. Individual people have their own values that may be different.
One particularly big part of American culture is its history of freedom and people doing things on their own. The United States started with ideas about liberty and democracy.
Americans highly value independence, the ability to shape their own identity and future, and their freedom of making their own choices. The bald eagle is a symbol of America, representing its strength and freedom.
The majority of Americans are proud of their country. Many feel patriotic and believe the United States is the best country to live in. Americans appreciate the rights they have. Many take pride in the United States being a strong and influential country.
Also, Americans believe strongly in equality. They think everyone should be treated the same, no matter their gender, race, age, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, or religion.
There is no official language in the USA. English is the most widely used language but there are many other languages spoken.
In the USA, there are a lot of different religions. The majority of people describe themselves as Christians. This is followed by those who practice Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam. In the last few years, the number of people who do not identify with a religion has also grown.
Another important thing about American culture is its popular stuff like movies and music. Hollywood is where lots of famously entertaining movies are made. American music includes jazz, blues, rock and roll, and hip-hop.
In addition to popular culture, American culture also includes traditions that have been passed down through generations. Holidays like Thanksgiving and the Fourth of July are particularly important times for families and communities to joyously come together and celebrate.
In the United States, food wonderfully reflects its diverse population, with dishes from many different cultures. There are timeless classics like hamburgers and apple pie, as well as regional favorites like Tex-Mex and Cajun cuisine.
Sports are also incredibly important in American culture, with activities like baseball, basketball, and American football powerfully bringing people together and creating a strong sense of community.
American arts are extremely diverse and vibrant, with literature, theater, and dance being widely recognized and appreciated around the world.
Furthermore, entrepreneurship and innovation are highly valued in American culture, with many world-renowned companies like Google, Apple, and McDonald's starting in the United States.
AFAS- USA (N.A.) United States – A nation built by the world. Retrieved from: https://www.afsusa.org/countries/united-states/
Interexchange.org (2020, July 27). 10 Things to Know About U.S. Culture. Retrieved from: https://www.interexchange.org/blog/international-participants/10-things-to-know-about-u-s-culture
Penn State Harrisburg. (N.A.) Guide to American Culture and Etiquette. Retrieved from: https://harrisburg.psu.edu/international-students-office/guide-american-culture-etiquette
University of California San Francisco (N.A.) U.S. Culture. Retrieved from: https://isso.ucsf.edu/us-culture
University of Portland. (N.A.) American Values and Assumptions. Retrieved from: https://www.up.edu/iss/advising-services/american-values.html
usahello.org (N.A.) Understanding diversity in the United States. Retrieved from: https://usahello.org/life-in-usa/culture/diversity/
Interexchange.org (2020, July 27). 10 Things to Know About U.S. Culture. Retrieved from: https://www.interexchange.org/blog/international-participants/10-things-to-know-about-u-s-culture
Penn State Harrisburg. (N.A.) Guide to American Culture and Etiquette. Retrieved from: https://harrisburg.psu.edu/international-students-office/guide-american-culture-etiquette
University of California San Francisco (N.A.) U.S. Culture. Retrieved from: https://isso.ucsf.edu/us-culture
University of Portland. (N.A.) American Values and Assumptions. Retrieved from: https://www.up.edu/iss/advising-services/american-values.html
usahello.org (N.A.) Understanding diversity in the United States. Retrieved from: https://usahello.org/life-in-usa/culture/diversity/
Meaning
After reading:
Create a mind- map about American culture.
Create a mind- map about American culture.
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Step 3: Do the quiz to test your knowledge.
Image you are an exchange student in the USA. Write an email (80-100 words) to a friend in your home country.
Explain different aspects of the American culture and write about your opinion of American culture.
In your answer, you could include some of the following topics:
Be creative! 😊
Upload it to our teams platform to receive feedback from your teacher.
Explain different aspects of the American culture and write about your opinion of American culture.
In your answer, you could include some of the following topics:
- The best things about American culture and why.
- How American culture has influenced the world.
- How American culture influences your daily life.
- etc.
Be creative! 😊
Upload it to our teams platform to receive feedback from your teacher.