Section One Around the topic
Step 1 Topic introduction:
Many Chinese students find it very difficult to introduce Chinese culture to foreign friends.
The biggest problem is that they don’t know how to express their understanding about Chinese culture or how to explain some typical concepts in Chinese culture. Chinese learners of English as a foreign language should not only study western cultures, but also deepen their understanding of Chinese culture, so that they can introduce it to the outside word.
Step 2 Your ideas
Work in groups or pairs and discuss the following questions
1)Why is spring Festival so important for the Chinese people?
2)What do you usually do during the Spring Festival
3)Are there any special celebration activities in your hometown during Spring Festival?
4)In what ways do you think the Spring Festival has Changed?
How much do you know about the Chinese New Year?
A.Which day in the 15-day celebration is for the sons-in-laws to pay a visit to their
parents-in-law?
The third and fourth days.
B. What is the fifth day called?
Po Woo.
C. How many kinds of traditional New Year food do you know?
Dumplings, a whole fish, chicken, New Year cake…
D. Do we use knives or scissors on New Year's Day?
NO. They may cut off fortune.
E. What fruit do we usually use as a decoration during the Spring Festival?
Oranges and Tangerines. They are symbols for abundant happiness.
Step 3 Vocabulary
There are some special things about Spring Festival, which are difficult to translate into English. Here are some English words and expressions related to the Spring Festival. Try to get their meanings.
Remind students that names of some typical Chinese things do not have exact equivalents in English. Ask them to guess the meaning of the English words and phrases related to the
The teacher can offer students a particular situation for students to practice in which students can give a brief talk with some of the words in the table above so that they can master a better usage of these words.
Step 4 Listening and speaking
Ask students to read the questions first. Then play the recording and encourage them to take notes while listening.
1.Q: What are they talking about?
A: They are talking about the Spring Festival.
2.Q: How did Li Ming spend his holiday?
A: Li Ming spent his holiday with his family in his hometown.
3.Q: What is Susan curious about?
A: Susan is curious about how Chinese people celebrating their Spring Festival.
4.Q: What make the Spring Festival different from other holidays?
A: Giving presents and staying with the family.
5.Q: What do Chinese People do on the Eve of the Spring Festival according to the recording?
A: In the past, all the members of a family would stay at home making dumplings together.
Now many people enjoy watching TV. During the day, children wear their new clothes. The evening is usually spent playing games, talking, eating and drinking.
Step 5 A quiz
During the Spring Festival, some things are believed to bring good luck for the new year, while other things might bring bad luck. Read the items in the table below and decide whether they bring good luck or bad luck. When you finish, compare your answers in pairs.
This quiz is just for fun. Remind students that we should not be superstitious and the dos and don’ts during the Spring Festival are only parts of our traditions and customs. We should hold a right attitude towards them.
Ask students to do the exercise first based on their own understanding and then compare their answers with their partners’. They may discuss them if necessary. When they finish, you may show and explain answers.
Section Two Reading
This section introduces the tradition of the Chinese New Year. By studying it, students will learn more about the legend of Nian and traditional Chinese New Year celebration activities. Most importantly, students will learn how to introduce the Chinese New Year to foreign friends.
Step 1 Pre-reading tasks
Before you read, discuss the following questions in groups:
1.Do you know why we call the Spring Festival “Nian”?
2.Do you know why we Chinese celebrate the New Year at a different time from the Western
world?
Read the instruction as a class. Divide students into groups. Ask them to discuss the questions. Activate their prior knowledge of the Spring Festival and encourage them to share information
