Unit 1 Section a Time-Conscious Americans Teaching plan (4 periods) Objectives Students will be able to grasp the main idea of the text(Americans value time and save it carefully. 2. master the key language points and grammatical structures in the text 3. conduct a serious of read ing, listening, speaking and writing activ ities related to the theme of the unit Lesson procedure Period 1 Period 2 Period 3 Period 4 Warm-up exercises Detailed reading After reading Section b Cultural differences Summary of the text Global read ing Warm-up exercises 1. Why do americans like visiting fast-food restaurants? 2. Do you like fast-food? If you do, what s the reason for this liking? 3. Are you time-conscious? State your idea on time 4. Life is fast-paced today. Besides eating fast-food, people also use different kinds of time-saving devices, such as: fax, e-mail and mobile phone. What do you think of these time-saving devices? Cultural Differences Students and teachers need to be aware that the ethnocentric attitudes of writers are precisely the way cultural conflict is encouraged. Why is understanding a culture always the others'responsibil ity? It is not possible that each culture could be made aware of different conventions? Both sides must work at rising above cultural differences and be willing to compromise. and, in both cases, most likely neither side has access to the cultural conventions of the other so blaming is not the answer Educating is Global Reading Outline of the Text: Time is very precious to Americans. Many foreigners have the impression that everyone in the U. S is likely to be in a rush and under pressure. They are always in a hurry when they walk, eat or do some shopping. They dont like smiles, short conversations and small exchanges with strangers, since they consider waste of time. Leisurely business which are quite common in some other countries,dont exist here, because Americans start talking business very quickly Consequently, many labor-sav ing devices are produced in order to save more time Teleconference is a good way to settle problems without face to face conversation. It is taken a sign of skillfulness to solve a problem quickly Stucture of the text:
Unit 1 Section A Time-Conscious Americans Teaching Plan (4 periods) Objectives Students will be able to: 1. grasp the main idea of the text(Americans value time and save it carefully.) 2. master the key language points and grammatical structures in the text; 3. conduct a serious of reading, listening, speaking and writing activities related to the theme of the unit. Lesson procedure Period 1 Period 2 Period 3 Period 4 Warm-up exercises Cultural differences Global reading Detailed reading Summary of the text After reading Section B Warm-up exercises 1.Why do Americans like visiting fast-food restaurants? 2. Do you like fast-food? If you do, what’s the reason for this liking? 3. Are you time-conscious? State your idea on time. 4. Life is fast-paced today. Besides eating fast-food, people also use different kinds of time-saving devices, such as: fax, e-mail and mobile phone. What do you think of these time-saving devices? Cultural Differences Students and teachers need to be aware that the ethnocentric attitudes of writers are precisely the way cultural conflict is encouraged. Why is understanding a culture always the others’ responsibility? It is not possible that each culture could be made aware of different conventions? Both sides must work at rising above cultural differences and be willing to compromise…and, in both cases, most likely neither side has access to the cultural conventions of the other so blaming is not the answer. Educating is. Global Reading Outline of the Text: Time is very precious to Americans. Many foreigners have the impression that everyone in the U. S. is likely to be in a rush and under pressure. They are always in a hurry when they walk, eat or do some shopping. They don’t like smiles, short conversations and small exchanges with strangers, since they consider these to be a waste of time. Leisurely business chats, which are quite common in some other countries, don’t exist here, because Americans start talking business very quickly. Consequently, many labor-saving devices are produced in order to save more time. Teleconference is a good way to settle problems without face to face conversation. It is taken a sign of skillfulness to solve a problem quickly. Stucture of the Text:
Americans save time carefully. ( Para. 1) Americans' attitude towards time and how they try to save time in daily life and in business(Paras. 2-7) Time is a precious Americans save Americans save Americans produce source. (Para. 2) time in their daily time in doing labor-saving devices life. (Para. 3 business.(Para. 4) in order to save time (Paras.5-7) It is taken as a sign of skillfulness or being competent to solve a problem or fulfill a job successfully with speed in the US Detailed Reading Language study A. New words and expressions 1. fall behind: 1) become bit by bit further behind 2)(with)fail to finish at the proper time Eg. 1)fall behind in science 在科学方面落后 fall behind one's competitors落后于竞争对手 2) fall behind with the rent拖欠房租 The student has been working hard for fear that he should fall behind 这个学生一直很努力,惟恐落后。 I' m falling behind with my work; I must try to catch up 我工作拖下来了,我得想办法赶上 result in have as a result: cause result from be caused by g Acting before thinking always results in failing g The accident resulted in the death of two people Nothing has resulted from his efforts . The childs illness resulted from eating unclean food 3. abrupt adi. 1)(of behavior) rough 2 )sudden and unexpected eg. an abrupt attitude无礼的态度 an abrupt change of policy突然改变政策 an abrupt drop in oil prices油价突降 当我询问她的新工作时,她对我态度非常粗鲁。 When I asked her about her new job, she was quite abrupt with me 会谈突然结束
Detailed Reading Language study A. New words and Expressions: 1. fall behind: 1) become bit by bit further behind 2) (with) fail to finish at the proper time Eg. 1) fall behind in science 在科学方面落后 fall behind one’s competitors 落后于竞争对手 2) fall behind with the rent 拖欠房租 The student has been working hard for fear that he should fall behind. 这个学生一直很努力, 惟恐落后。 I’m falling behind with my work; I must try to catch up. 我工作拖下来了, 我得想办法赶上。 2. result in have as a result; cause result from be caused by ❖ Acting before thinking always results in failing. ❖ The accident resulted in the death of two people ❖ Nothing has resulted from his efforts. ❖ The child’s illness resulted from eating unclean food. 3. abrupt adj. 1) (of behavior) rough 2) sudden and unexpected eg. an abrupt attitude 无礼的态度 an abrupt change of policy 突然改变政策 an abrupt drop in oil prices 油价突降 当我询问她的新工作时, 她对我态度非常粗鲁。 When I asked her about her new job, she was quite abrupt with me. 会谈突然结束。 Americans’ attitude towards time and how they try to save time in daily life and in business (Paras. 2-7) Time is a precious source.(Para. 2) Americans save time in their daily life.(Para.3) Americans save time in doing business. (Para.4) It is taken as a sign of skillfulness or being competent to solve a problem or fulfill a job successfully with speed in the US. (Para.8) Americans save time carefully. (Para. 1) Americans produce labor-saving devices in order to save time.(Paras.5-7)
The meeting came to an abrupt end 4. much less(also still less) and even less likely Eg她连水也不肯喝一口,更别说留下吃饭了 he wouldn' t take a drink, still/much less stay for dinner 5. given(that) prep taking into account Notice that"given"is followed by a noun phrase, while "given that "is followed by a finite clause Eg.看她对孩子们的兴趣,教书应是适合她的职业 Given her interest in children, teaching should be the right career for her 6. whereas con. but, in contrast: while Eg.他们国家石油丰富,而我们国家则一点也没有。 Their country has plenty of oil, whereas/ while ours has none n one s eyes: in the opinion or jud gment of someone 在大家的心目中,专家总是对的 The expert is always right in the eyes of everybody 8. Compare: worth, worthy, worthwhile worth It is worth(doing)sth worthy Sth is worthy of +n /being done/to be done(be worthy of: merit, deserve worthwhile It is worthwhile doing/to do sth Eg.这件事值得考虑。 The matter is worth consideration/consid The matter is worthy of consideration/being/to be considered It is worthwhile considering/to consider the matter B. Typical Patterns l.asif+从句 if引导的方式状语从句,一般用虚拟语气 Eg. Time is treated as if it were something almost real 2. be increasingly Eg.人们越来越意识到健康的重要性。 People are increasingly aware of the importance of being healthy 3……被认为是… It is considered+ag+ to do sth. b./Sth. is taken as∴ g. It is considered impolite to work too quickly It is taken as a sign of skillfulness or being competent to solve a problem Summary of the text: Americans are particularly concerned about time. They clearly realize that life is short and consider time a precious resource. Visitors may find that Americans are always in a rush and under great pressure in daily life. They don't usually exchange smiles or brief conversations because they resent wasting time. Americans generally assess and inquire about others professionally rather than socially, so they start
The meeting came to an abrupt end. 4. much less (also still less) and even less likely Eg. 她连水也不肯喝一口, 更别说留下吃饭了。 She wouldn’t take a drink, still/much less stay for dinner. 5. given (that) prep. taking into account Notice that “given” is followed by a noun phrase, while “given that” is followed by a finite clause. Eg. 看她对孩子们的兴趣，教书应是适合她的职业。 Given her interest in children, teaching should be the right career for her. 6. whereas conj. but, in contrast: while Eg. 他们国家石油丰富, 而我们国家则一点也没有。 Their country has plenty of oil, whereas/ while ours has none. 7. in one’s eyes: in the opinion or judgment of someone Eg. 在大家的心目中，专家总是对的。 The expert is always right in the eyes of everybody. 8. Compare: worth, worthy, worthwhile worth It is worth (doing) sth. worthy Sth. is worthy of + n. /being done /to be done(be worthy of: merit, deserve) worthwhile It is worthwhile doing/to do sth. Eg. 这件事值得考虑。 The matter is worth consideration/considering. The matter is worthy of consideration/being/to be considered. It is worthwhile considering/to consider the matter. B. Typical Patterns: 1. as if + 从句: as if 引导的方式状语从句，一般用虚拟语气 Eg. Time is treated as if it were something almost real. 2. be + increasingly Eg.. 人们越来越意识到健康的重要性。 People are increasingly aware of the importance of being healthy. 3.······被认为是······ It is considered +adj.+to do sth. Sb. /Sth. is taken as … Eg. It is considered impolite to work too quickly. It is taken as a sign of skillfulness or being competent to solve a problem. Summary of the Text: Americans are particularly concerned about time. They clearly realize that life is short and consider time a precious resource. Visitors may find that Americans are always in a rush and under great pressure in daily life. They don’t usually exchange smiles or brief conversations because they resent wasting time. Americans generally assess and inquire about others professionally rather than socially, so they start
talking business directly without opening exchanges. In order to save time Americans use quite a few labor-sav ing devices like telephones, faxes, or emails Electronic communication is becoming more and more popular, while most personal visiting, which though pleasant, takes longer, is saved for after-work hours or for social weekend gatherings. In the Us, unlike in some other countries, quickly solving a problem or fulfilling a job successfully is a sign of skillfulness or being competent After reading 1. Discussion Work in small groups and d iscuss the following questions 1)Why is time so important for the Americans? 2)How do Americans treat time? 3)What does speed mean to the Americans? 4)What is the American pace of life like? 2. Structured writing: 1) Major writing technique of the text: A Paragraph of General Statement Supported by Specific Details and reasons Take a closer look at some of the paragraphs of the article: the writer presents his statements first and goes on to support his statements with specific details. Then the writer will briefly tell us the reason Now read Paragraph 3 of the reading passage again and have a look at the chart below A foreigners first impression of the U.S. is likely to be that everyone is in a rush-often under pressure. City people ahvays appear to be hurrying to get where they are going, restlessly seeking attention in a store, or elbow ing others as they tr to complete the ir shopping. Racing through daytime meals is part of the pace of life in this country. Working time is considered precious. Others in public eating-places are waiting for you to finish so they, too, can be served and get back to work within the time allowed. You also find drivers will be abrupt and people will push past you You will miss smiles, brief conversations, and small exchanges with strangers Don t take it personally. This is because people value time highly, and they resent omeone else"wasting it beyond a certain appropriate point. General statement: Everyone is in a rush-often under pressure ow is it that everyone is in a rush---ofien under pressure?
talking business directly without opening exchanges. In order to save time, Americans use quite a few labor-saving devices like telephones, faxes, or emails. Electronic communication is becoming more and more popular, while most personal visiting, which though pleasant, takes longer, is saved for after-work hours or for social weekend gatherings. In the US, unlike in some other countries, quickly solving a problem or fulfilling a job successfully is a sign of skillfulness or being competent. After Reading 1. Discussion Work in small groups and discuss the following questions. 1) Why is time so important for the Americans? 2) How do Americans treat time? 3) What does speed mean to the Americans? 4) What is the American pace of life like? 2. Structured Writing: 1) Major writing technique of the text： A Paragraph of General Statement Supported by Specific Details and Reasons Take a closer look at some of the paragraphs of the article: the writer presents his statements first and goes on to support his statements with specific details. Then the writer will briefly tell us the reason. Now read Paragraph 3 of the reading passage again and have a look at the chart below. A foreigner’s first impression of the U.S. is likely to be that everyone is in a rush—often under pressure. City people always appear to be hurrying to get where they are going, restlessly seeking attention in a store, or elbowing others as they try to complete their shopping. Racing through daytime meals is part of the pace of life in this country. Working time is considered precious. Others in public eating-places are waiting for you to finish so they, too, can be served and get back to work within the time allowed. You also find drivers will be abrupt and people will push past you. You will miss smiles, brief conversations, and small exchanges with strangers. Don’t take it personally. This is because people value time highly, and they resent someone else “wasting” it beyond a certain appropriate point. How is it that everyone is in a rush---often under pressure? General statement:Everyone is in a rush—often under pressure
Specific details of how everyone is in a rush-often under pressure 1. City people ahvays appear to be hurrying to get where they are going, restlessly seeking attention in a store, or elbowing others as they try to complete their shopping. Racing through daytime meals is part of the pace oflife in this country 2. Working time is considered precious. Others in public eating-places are waiting for you to finish so they, too, can be served and get back to work within the time allowed 3. You also find drivers will be abrupt and people will push past you. You will miss smiles, brief conversations, and small exchanges with strangers Why is it that everyone is in a rush---often under pressure? The reason: This is because people value time highly, and they resent someone else wasting" it beyond a certain appropriate point 2)Write a paragraph, which starts with a general statement that is supported by specific details and the reason. You may choose one of the following topics. One of the topics has a detailed outline that you can follow if you choose Detailed outline: Topic: Protection of the environment has become a major concern of society Specific details: O teachers and pupils, specific meetings, discuss the protection of environment @City planners, environmental problems, into consideration 3Factories, reduce pollution, at a high cost Reason: bad air and water pollution affect everyone, cities to survive, businesses to make a profit Other topics (1) Time is a precious res (2)Computers are of great use to our daily life (3)English is becoming more important Homework 1. Finish the exercises in Section a 2. Prepare for Section B Sectionb Culture Shock Obiectives Students will be able to 3. grasp the reading skill----Reading for the main ideas in the paragraphs lock 1. grasp the main idea(the essence of writing is to explore culture shock 2. master the key language points and grammatical structures in text:
Why is it that everyone is in a rush---often under pressure? 2) Write a paragraph, which starts with a general statement that is supported by specific details and the reason. You may choose one of the following topics. One of the topics has a detailed outline that you can follow if you choose. Detailed outline: Topic: Protection of the environment has become a major concern of society. Specific details: ① teachers and pupils, specific meetings, discuss the protection of environment ②City planners, environmental problems, into consideration ③Factories, reduce pollution, at a high cost Reason: bad air and water pollution affect everyone, cities to survive, businesses to make a profit Other topics ⑴ Time is a precious resource. ⑵ Computers are of great use to our daily life ⑶ English is becoming more important. Homework 1. Finish the exercises in Section A. 2. Prepare for Section B. Section B Culture Shock Objectives Students will be able to: 1. grasp the main idea (the essence of writing is to explore culture shock ) 2. master the key language points and grammatical structures in the text; 3. grasp the reading skill---- Reading for the main ideas in the paragraphs Specific details of how everyone is in a rush---often under pressure 1. City people always appear to be hurrying to get where they are going, restlessly seeking attention in a store, or elbowing others as they try to complete their shopping. Racing through daytime meals is part of the pace of life in this country. 2. Working time is considered precious. Others in public eating-places are waiting for you to finish so they, too, can be served and get back to work within the time allowed 3. You also find drivers will be abrupt and people will push past you. You will miss smiles, brief conversations, and small exchanges with strangers. The reason: This is because people value time highly, and they resent someone else “wasting” it beyond a certain appropriate point