Communication

Listen and read the conversation below. Pay attention to the highlighted parts

Tom: My parents are taking me to their friend’s house for dinner. Could you tell me a bit about Vietnamese table manners?

Mai: Well, perhaps you should wait for the host to start eating.

Tom: I will.

Mai: It’s a good idea to hand bowls with both hands.

Tom: Sure. I'll remember that one.

Mai: And don't hit the bowl with your chopsticks. This may bring bad luck to the host family.

Work in pairs. Make similar conversations with the following situations

1. Student A is travelling to Sa Pa in winter. He / She doesn't know what to wear. Student B gives advice.

2. Student A is going to a birthday party. He / She doesn't know what kind of gift to bring. Student B gives advice.

Read the text about the lion dance in Japan and complete the table with the information from the text

The lion dance is called shishi-mai in Japanese. People perform it during New Year celebrations. Shishi-mai groups also perform at other important occasions such as business openings and weddings. Most forms of shishi-mai have one or more people performing the dance. The performers are excellent at acrobatics. One person controls the lion’s head and the other moves the lion’s body. The lion dances to the sounds of flutes and drums. The drummers and flute players often follow the lion around, but they do not dance with it.

The Japanese perform shishi-maito chase away bad spirits and to bring good luck.

Work in groups. Read Mai’s notes on the Vietnamese unicorn dance. Compare the Vietnamese unicorn dance with the Japanese lion dance.