Author: Ms. Elle

5 Things To Do in Tamot Phatthalung Thailand

Posted on by Ms. Elle

Tamot Phatthalung is one of the 11 districts in Phattalung province in the South of Thailand. Tamot is landlocked by districts like Kong Ra, Khao Chaison, Bang Kaeo, Pa Bon, and Palian (Trang Province). It is one of the up-and-coming tourist destinations in Phatthalung; and the best place to experience nature at its finest. It’s homestay program is also what makes Tamot unique.

Read for more things to do in Tamot Phatthalung Thailand

Water Rafting: Water rafting is one of the staples of activity you can do in Phattalung. I know it sounds daunting or scary especially for those who have not experienced it before but it really is not. The water rafting in Tamod Phattalung is actually beginner friendly. There are not a lot of rapids to be worried about so there is so much time for beginners to get used to the paddling before you encounter some of the mini rapids. Yes… mini rapids. The rapids are actually not that intense. Beginners and folks with kids will actually find it fun. But for those who are thrill seekers you might find it kinda dull. The water rafting here in Tamod can be good for groups looking for a team building activity, families on vacation, or tourists just looking to experience and bond with mother nature.

Train Canoe Ride: Getting pulled by a long tail boat while seated on a canoe along with your friends and given a tour around the dam is a different kind of experience. This is one of the interesting activities you’d find in Tamod. The water in the dam is so calm and the place is so quiet. This is also the place where dragon boat rowing teams come to practice.

train canoe ride at Tamot Phatthalung Thailans

The Sea of Mist: The sea of mist is a tricky one. If you really want to see it in its full glory you have to sacrifice waking up very early. There’s only a short window of time in the morning where you can see the clouds at its thickest. It also involves a bit of walking as cars and other 4 wheeled vehicles are not advised to go up the hill. If you are lucky enough to borrow a motorcycle then you could save yourself the hassle of hiking. But driving a motorcycle up there is quite dangerous as the slope is quite steep and there’s a lot of loose gravel.

There are quite a few viewpoints scattered around Tamot, and Kwantakhum view point is one of them. We particular visited this as it was nearest our next destination.

sea of mist view point Tamot Phatthalung Thailand
Khwantakhum View Point Tamot Phattalung

The Local Food: One local delicacy that you shouldn’t miss is Miang Kum (a leaf-wrapped bite-size appetizer). Most Miang Kum/ Miang Kham use fresh betel leaves but in Tamod Phattalung they replace it with Lotus flower petals. I was amazed! Lotus flowers are literally omnipresent in the South and it’s a perfect subject for photography but little did I know that it can also be eaten. And it tastes as good as it looks.

A bunch of gracious local ladies prepared all these when we visited Khok Nong Na Model Rice Field. Just by looking at the ingredients you’d know the tremendous amount of preparation they had to put in. It was so very nice of them, and we were absolutely grateful.

To shed light about Khok Nong Na Model builds sustainability and its importance in the economy of Thailand click the link.

Watch the video below to see it. For a complete recipe of Miang Kham check out “Miang Kham” Wild Betel Leaf Wrap เมี่ยงคำ.

Miang Kham Tamot Phatthalung
Miang Kham

Experience Homestay: If you’re visiting Tamot for a few days, you could stay in one of their homestays. One of our out-of-school activities was held in Tamot, teachers and students had to stay in the homes of locals who are participating in Tamot’s homestay program.

It was definitely an experience to remember. The people, as well as our hosts, were welcoming, gracious, and ready to help. It was the best way to experience their way of living.

For more information on Tamot’s homestay program visit their Facebook Page โฮมสเตย์ชุมชนตะโหมด พัทลุง

MORE on PHATTHALUNG HERE

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wat rong khun or the white temple of chiang rai thailand

White Temple: Wat Rong Khun Chiang Rai Thailand

Posted on by Ms. Elle

The White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) is Chiang Rai’s most iconic temple. This temple is on the top of “must visit places” list of tourists visiting Thailand. A holiday to Chiang Rai is not complete without a visit to this unusual temple. It is located 60 หมู่ที่ 1 Phahonyothin Rd, Pa O Don Chai, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai 57000.

Now is definitely the time to go. Thailand has lifted all travel restrictions related to COVID-19. And there are loads of air fare promos most notably from Thai Smile Airways.

Going into the area is free but entering the White Temple grounds is not. It’s quite a large place with several , equally interesting architectural designs. It also has some quite interesting activities to do within the temple if you are up to it. For people bringing their DSLRs or mirror less cams it would pay to bring your ultra wide lens along with your portrait lens as the structures are big and beautiful but there’s not much room to back up to if you have a narrow field of view.

For those who would like to try their luck on a wishing well this place has it. The wishing well that they have is quite challenging as you have to shoot the coin in an under water pot. Make sure you have extra coins with you and good luck.

Wishing Well

They also have steel sheets cut into small decorative shapes where you can write your plans or hopes and dreams and hang it on a wishing tree. The decorative metal sheets are not free (20 THB each) so just think of it as some sort of donation to the temple every time you buy one.

tree of wishes
wishing tree

As mentioned earlier entering the white temple grounds is not free. The white temple used to be enclosed by a fence but recently it was replaced with canal that separates its ground from the parking lot and adjacent infrastructures. At the gates you will be greeted by employees-in-charge and pay the entrance fee, 100 THB for foreigners and 50 THB for locals. All the other structures around the huge ground are all free of charge.

Photography and video taking are allowed only on the surrounding ground and on the bridge leading to the temple but these are not allowed inside the temple. Also, visitors are asked to take off their shoes before going inside the temple. If you wish to only take photos and videos of the magnificent architecture, you can and exit at the left side of the temple.

The white temple is one of Thailand’s iconic architectures, as it absolutely different from the rest of Thai temples. Its white color symbolizes the purity of Buddha, and its intricate details, elaborate embellishments, and gold trimming give the temple grace and elegance.

Wat Rong Khun or best known as the White Temple

The Golden Temple is a great new addition to the array of unique architecture in this place. It is located at the east wing of the area. By its name, the entire temple is painted in gold, and it houses various artworks, illustrations, and symbols.

the golden temple in chiang rai thailand
The Golden Temple

Have you been to the White Temple?

How was the experience?

MORE HERE

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group discussion

Group Discussion

Posted on by Ms. Elle

Discussion is a process where people talk, converse, and discourse about something trivial or significant wherein the end result is to express ideas, make decision, or solve a problem.

Good vs Bad Group Discussion

Video by PolyU ELC

Lesson 1

  • Characteristics of an Effective Group Discussion
  • Roles of Each Member in a Group Discussion
  • Steps in Conducting a Group Discussion

Instructions

  • Watch the video
  • Answer the following questions for the class discussion later
    1. What are the things to avoid in a group discussion? Make a list.
    2. What would make a group discussion successful? Make a list.
    3. Name/describe the role of each of the members in the group?
    4. How does a good discussion should start? Describe it.
    5. How does a good discussion should end? Describe it.
    6. Suggest ways on how to keep the discussion going.

Suggested Topics for Group Discussion

Make a list of the advantages of marijuana

Make a list of the disadvantages of marijuana

Talk about the benefits and challenges of the use of marijuana

Discuss about the feelings of the general Thai population about same-sex marriage

Why was same-sex marriage approved by the Thai government?

How can Thai people preserve their culture and tradition in the midst of changing times?

Lesson 2

  • Deciding on a topic for group discussion
  • Mind mapping topic for group discussion

Instructions

  1. Watch the video on how to mind map topics for group discussion
  2. Together with your group members map out your topic on a paper or on your electronic device.
  3. Submit your mind map for consultation, marking, and approval.
  4. Save your work and compile them on your portfolio (paper or electronic)

Lesson 3

  • Group Discussion Script Writing
  • Finish product: group discussion script

Instructions

  1. Meet your group members
  2. Go through the guidelines in writing a script for your GD.
  3. Write/ organize ideas and information, questions and answers
  4. Submit for approval, and practice for the GD presentation (onsite or recorded in a video).

Guidelines for GD Script writing

  1. Moderator/ facilitator open the discussion
    1. greetings
    2. set the objectives/goals of the discussion
    3. explain briefly but concisely the significance of the topic (why do you need to discuss the topic)
    4. take the attendance (can done immediately after the greetings or before the greetings)
    5. begin the discussion (use transitional phrases to move from this step to the next for example, without further ado let’s begin the discussion….)
  2. Discussion proper
    1. Members at this point share their opinion(s), ask for other’s opinion, express agreement, disagreement or partial agreement, ask or give explanation, ask or express clarification, and ask or give suggestion. You may find helpful phrases for group discussion here.
    2. The exchanges among members should resemble a web of opinions, ideas, and questions, answers that are being thrown around rather than a two-way traffic of question and answer just like an interview (refer to the illustration below).
    3. While discussions are going on, minutes are jotted down or recorded by the secretary or any one assigned.
    4. The GD is completed/ finished when the objectives/goals set in the beginning have already been achieved. The moderator will then transition from this step to the next.
Ideal GD Dynamics
Poor GD Dynamics

3. The moderator summarizes the discussion and mentions important and salient points from the discussion.

  1. review objective(s)/goal(s) of the group discussion
  2. enumerate the decision reached
  3. closing remark (thank members and bid goodbye, and remind members of their responsibilities, or schedule of the next group discussion/ activities).

Group Discussion Notes HERE

GD-HandoutDownload

MORE HERE

English Conversation

Posted on by Ms. Elle

Survey Test/Activity

    English Conversation Structure

    basic parts of a conversation

    Lesson 2 Getting to Know You

    sample conversation
    sample conversation

    ACTIVITY #1. Answer these questions with your partner.

    1. Take a look at your conversation e-book, name the different ways of introducing yourself? Introducing other people?
    2. What is SMALL TALK?
    3. What are topics you should not talk about during small talk?
    4. What are good topics to talk about during small talk?

    ACTIVITY #2. Do this activity with your partner.

    1. Look at conversation samples 1 and 2. Label the parts of the conversation according to the basic conversation structure above.
    2. Write and act out a conversation between two people meeting for the first time at a conference.
    • follow the basic conversation structure – kickstart, body, leave taking, goodbye.
    • small talk topics – nationality, home, occupation, workplace,  and the reason why they come to a conference

    HELPFUL VIDEOS

    Lesson 3: Request, Permission, Offer

    • Making a request (การร้องขอ)
    • Asking for permission (ขออนุญาติ)
    • Offering help (ให้ความช่วยเหลือ)

    Activity #1

    1. Familiarize the common expressions used for making a request, asking permission, and offering help.
    2. Practice using the expressions – Go to MAKING A REQUEST PRACTICE and ASKING PERMISSION PRACTICE.
    3. Complete the conversation exercises below.

    Activity #2

    1. Write and act out a conversation involving making a request, asking permission, and/or offering help. (Be mindful of the structure of your conversation)

    HELPFUL PHRASES

    Making a Request

    polite request in english
    polite request in english

    Asking Permission

    simple sentence pattern for asking permission

    Offering Help

    CONVERSATION EXERCISES – 1

    Somchai: Good morning, Madam. ________(1 offer help)____________?

    Nattawadee: Good morning. __________(2 permission)__________________?

    Somchai: I’m sorry, he’s out of the office at the moment.

    Nattawadee: Oh, well, never mind.

    Somchai: _____________(3 offer help)_______________________ for you tomorrow?

    Nattawadee: Oh, yes please. For 10 AM.

    Somchai: Just a minute… _____(4 decline)_____________ he has another meeting at 10 AM. Will three in the afternoon be all right with you?

    Nattawadee: No, thank you. I’ll meet him at his residence tonight. It’s something urgent.

    Somchai: ________(5 offer help)________________ him anything?

    Nattawadee: Thanks. You could tell him that Ms. Nattawadee was here.

    Somchai: I will tell him.

    Nattawadee: Thank you.

    CONVERSATION EXERCISES – 2

    Tom: Hey Jerry, going somewhere?

    Jerry: Yes. I need to pick up the new guests at the airport.

    Tom: ______(1 offer help)___________________?

    Jerry: That would be great! It can be pretty lonely driving alone you know.

    Tom: I certainly know that. Ok, ______( 2 permission)______ quickly grab my bag.

    Jerry: Ok. Oh by the way I forgot to bring my wallet. ___(3 request)___________ bringing it. It’s on my table next to the computer.

    Tom: Sure thing!

    Jerry: I’ll wait for you in the car.

    Tom: OK.

    CONVERSATION EXERCISES – 3

    Follow the conversation in the video. Fill in the missing conversation lines.

    HELPFUL VIDEOS

    Lesson 4

    Complaining, Clarifying, Apologizing, and Thanking

    Instructions

    1. Go over your e-book, unit 4.
    2. Define the following complain, clarify, apologize, and thank.
    3. List down words and phrases used for making complaints, asking for clarification, apologizing, and thanking.
    4. Use 2 to 3 of these expressions in a sentence. Share your sentences with your seatmate.
    5. Complete the conversation in the video below. Practice and present your conversation with the customer service agent.

    MORE HERE

    Helpful Phrases to Remember for an Effective Group Discussion

    Posted on by Ms. Elle

    Discussion is a process where people talk, converse, and discourse about something trivial or significant wherein the end result is to express ideas, make decision, or solve a problem.

    .

    MORE HERE

    travel tips to Thailand

    Travel Tips to Thailand

    Posted on by Ms. Elle
    travel tips to Thailand

    If you’re travelling to Thailand on a budget, these few tips might help.

    Our family has been living in Thailand for the last 16 years and so we can say we are quite familiar with the do’s and don’ts of being a tourist here. And while traveling here is relatively safe, the most common headache a tourist/foreigner can encounter in this country is getting overcharged. I know there are some foreigners who don’t really mind shelling out some extra cash to make their hosts happy but for those who are on a budget, like us, can’t really afford to be that generous or extravagant.

    • Clinics: Getting sick or getting hurt on your vacation is the last thing in mind but it does happen and it’s during this time that we become vulnerable. If something like this ever happens always ask where the nearest public hospital is. Public hospitals here are good. They can be crowded but they are good. One of the biggest tourist traps in these areas are private clinics/hospitals. Clinics like these could charge you as much as 800-1000 USD for an overnight stay due to diarrhea.
    • Restaurants: I have seen many tourists resorting to eating at 7Elevens or the usual Western food chains like Mc Donald’s and KFC which will end up costing you a lot of money and missing out on the authentic Thai experience. Eating at local restaurants can save you a ton of your budget but the only thing is it’s a bit daunting. The communication barrier is a headache and most of the time their menus are all in Thai and you end up relying on faded photos on the menu when choosing your food.

    Choosing a local restaurant is actually easy. Just go where the locals go. If you see an old looking rundown two story restaurant building with a lot of locals eating in it, that’s your best bet in that area. And as for ordering food, make sure that you have done your research beforehand and saved the photo and name of the food you’d like to have in your mobile device so you can just show it to the old lady taking your order. A meal can cost from a dollar and fifty to two dollars per person unless you order a dish ala carte which is usually good for two to three persons and will cost you more.

    • Dubious Deals/Cheap Deals: As the saying goes “If it’s too good to be true, it probably is”. Avoid deals that are questionable. There’s always a catch to it.  We’ve done some questionable/cheap deals over the years we have been here and we can accurately say we regretted every single one of those deals. A good example of such deals is our first ever island hopping trip in Krabi.  We opted for the cheapest private group trip after a long discussion with the hotel front desk. When she offered us the lowest rate trip it was as if she was kind of hesitant and as if she wanted to say something to us about it but we were kind of adamant of getting that trip since it was within our budget and it had the same amenities as the expensive ones. Welp… let’s just say saving a few thousand baht was not worth it. It felt like we came from the movie castaway with our rundown long tail boat. Our lunch was sticky rice with fried chicken but… it seemed to me more like a drumstick from a house bird. And our boat was not allowed to dock with the regular tour boats. We docked on the opposite side of the island and had to walk quite a distance to where the toilets and restaurants are so we could at least buy the kids some decent lunch and drinks.
    • Prices: Always ask for the price then confirm it again before you get on the tuk-tuk/motorbike taxi even if it makes you look annoying. For the taxi always ask them politely to turn on their meter. If they don’t and ask for a fixed price, it’s best to politely walk away from that deal.
    • Smile: In the land of smiles it really helps when you are smiling and friendly when dealing with the locals. In this part of the world a genuine smile really pays. The locals become more helpful when they are helping a smiling and friendly visitor. They would even go out of their way to walk you to your destination if it’s just within the area.

    Other Reminders

    • Before booking a flight/hotel, please check Thailand Travel Restrictions.
    • To be aware of the latest happenings, Thaiger provides the latest news and information about Thailand.
    • For the latest news on CoviD-19 cases in Thailand, check out their official Facebook page @ไทยรู้สู้โควิด (https://www.facebook.com/thaimoph)

    MORE HERE

    Affordable Hotels

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      Sai Thong Resort (ทรายทอง รีสอร์ท)Trang
      On our way to Krabi we decided to have a stopover in TRANG. We immediately started thinking of an accommodation that would not break the […]
    • Green View Village Resort
      Green View Village Resort is located at 2RMM+R98, Ao Nang, Mueang Krabi District, Krabi 81000 (2RMM+R98 ตำบล อ่าวนาง อำเภอเมืองกระบี่ กระบี่ 81000). It is comfortably situated […]
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      2021 Family Staycation Ao Nang Krabi Thailand
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      Lanta Cottage Hotel
      Accommodation: Lanta Cottage Hotel It is located at Sala Dan, Koh Lanta District, Krabi 81150 Thailand. We had our first getaway here after the travel […]
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      Ibis Styles Krabi Ao Nang: Hotel Review
      Accommodation: Ibis Styles Krabi Ao Nang, a family and pet friendly modern hotel, is conveniently located at 725 Moo2 Ao-nang, Nopparat Road Muang Krabi, 81000 […]
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      Ibis Phuket Patong Hotel Review
      Accommodation: Ibis Phuket Patong Hotel Location: 10 Chaloemphrakiat Riad, Patong, Kathu, Phuket 83150, Thailand. ☎ +66(0)76303888 Room We stayed at a family room with queen […]
    • United Residence Serviced Apartments
      United Residence Serviced Apartments Review
      Accommodation: United Residence Serviced Apartments Location: 414 Sukhumvit Soi 63 (Ekamai 26), Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok 10110 Telephone: 02 711 5010 United Residence Serviced Apartments Bangkok, […]
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      Longkang Chomdaw Resort Review: Hotel By The River
      Accommodation: Longkang Chomdaw Resort at Phattalung Thailand @61/1 Moo 1, Lankoi Phatthalung 93210 This short video clip gives you a glimpse of the resort’s room, […]
    • pool at rimlay hotel
      Update: We went back to Rimlay Park Resort
      Our summer getaway in Ao Nang Krabi, where we went island hopping and stayed at Aonang Regent Hotel, was apparently not enough especially for the […]

    Cheap to Free Admission Tourist Destinations

    LET’S CONNECT

    toddler reading

    Reading and Writing #4 (short passage)

    Posted on by Ms. Elle

    Getting a vaccination could soon be as simple as eating a potato. Researchers at the University of Maryland, led by Dr. Carol Tacket, are developing edible vaccines that could grant immunity against some diseases.

    To be inoculated against a virus, bacterium, or toxin, the antibodies of our immune systems must be exposed to the illness-bearing agent, or pathogen. Vaccines work by exposing the body to pathogens that have been killed or disarmed. Once sensitized, antibodies can mobilize rapidly against familiar enemies by binding to them and preventing their growth and activity.

    Most vaccines are delivered in shots or pills, but the new one will be incorporated in raw potatoes. The potatoes have been genetically engineered to produce the key piece of an E.coli toxin that causes acute diarrhea. As the spuds move through the intestinal system and are digested, the toxin fragment is released and exposed to the immune system, which then generates antibodies against the toxin.

    Dr. Tacket’s group is waiting for approval from the FDA to test the potato vaccine on humans; it has already been tested successfully in mice. The next step would be to genetically modify bananas to carry vaccines, because raw bananas taste better than raw potatoes.

    The potential for edible vaccines is tremendous, especially in developing countries. Whereas current vaccines are expensive to produce, store, transport, and administer, an edible vaccine could be grown where it is needed in the quantity desired, and requires considerably less medical expertise to use.

    EXERCISE 1: Below are list of vocabulary from the reading article. Complete the table by providing the definition and sample sentence for each of the given vocabulary. You may download, link below.

    vocabularymeaningsample sentence
    edible fit to be eaten as foodFruits found in the forest may not be edible.
    grant (verb)to giveTheir request for monetary allowance was granted.
    immunitythe condition that permits either natural or acquired resistance to diseaseVaccines help the body build immunity to diseases.
    disease
    inoculate
    toxin
    antibody
    immune system
    expose
    pathogen
    genetically engineered
    generates
    potential
    tremendous
    current
    administer
    quantity
    desire
    vocabulary tableDownload

    EXERCISE 2: Reading Comprehension Questions

    Download questions to test your reading comprehension.

    Questions-article-4Download WORD file
    Questions-article-4PDF

    EXERCISE 3: Write a short essay on any of the following topics.

    1. How a CoViD-19 vaccine works?
    2. Benefits of CoViD-19 vaccine
    3. Advantages of a vaccinated person over unvaccinated individual
    4. Importance of vaccination
    5. How are CoViD-19 vaccines administered?

    Related Posts

    LET’S CONNECT

    toddler reading

    Reading and Writing #2 (short article)

    Posted on by Ms. Elle

    Just a few minutes’ chatting on a mobile phone reduces the brain functions of children for almost an hour, according to new Spanish test results quoted in Norwegian media.

    The tests, conducted by the German investigator Michael Klieeisen at the Spanish Neuro Diagnostic Research Institute in Marbella, are the first to show how children’s brains react to the use of mobile phones. With the help of a scanner, Klieeisen was able to create pictures of how the brains of an 11-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl reacted while they used a mobile phone. The results were compared with similar tests using adult subjects.

    The tests showed that the brain activity of the child subjects was reduced significantly, especially on the side where the mobile phone was held, a few minutes after the call was begun, the report said. Also, brain activity was lower than normal in large sections of the brain for 50 minutes after the end of the call, the test results showed.

    “My advice to all parents is not to allow children to use mobile phones.” Klieeisen was quoted by Aftenposten as saying. “Not only are electrical activities affected, but also bio chemical processes. We do not know if it is dangerous, but we do know that children’s brains, which are not fully developed, are more vulnerable than adult brains are,” the researcher added.

    Researchers in Britain confirm the Spanish results, and Norwegian and Swedish experts are also studying the health risk posed by mobile phones.

    Reading Comprehension Questions

    Questions-article-2Download
    Questions-article-2Download

    LET’S CONNECT

    american culture

    American History, Language, and Culture

    Posted on by Ms. Elle

    American culture encompasses the customs and traditions of the United States. “Culture encompasses religion, food, what we wear, how we wear it, our language, marriage, music, what we believe is right or wrong, how we sit at the table, how we greet visitors, how we behave with loved ones, and a million other things.

    The United States is the third largest country in the world with a population of more than 332 million, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. A child is born every 9 seconds, and a person dies every 11 seconds.

    In addition to Indigenous Americans who were already living on the continent, the population of the United States was built on immigration from other countries. *Despite recent moves to close the U.S borders to new immigrants and refugees, a new immigrant moves to the United States every 666 seconds, according to the Census Bureau.

    The United States is sometimes described as a “melting pot”, in which different cultures have contributed their own distinct “flavors” to American culture. Just as cultures from around the world have influenced American culture, today American culture influences the world. The term Western culture often refers broadly to the cultures of the United States and Europe.

    Because of this, the United States is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world. Nearly every region of the world has influenced American culture, most notably the English who colonized the country beginning in the early 1600s, according to the Library of Congress. U.S. culture has also been shaped by the cultures of Indigenous Americans, Latin Americans, Africans and Asians.

    The way people “melt” in the United States differs. “Different groups of immigrants integrate in different ways. For example, in the United States, Catholic Spanish-speaking communities might keep their language and other cultural family traditions, but are integrated in the urban community and have embraced the American way of life in many other ways.

    The Northeast, South, Midwest, Southeast and Western regions of the United States all have distinct traditions and customs.  

    *As the American government changes from Trump to Biden administration, there have been changes and modifications regarding laws on immigration and refugees.

    **Sources: https://www.livescience.com/author/kim-ann-zimmermann

    Guide Questions

    Answer the following questions. You may need additional information from other internet sources.

    1. What is culture?

    2. Who are considered indigenous Americans?

    3. What is “melting-pot”? Give examples.

    4. What countries have contributed to the diversified culture of American people?

    5. Give examples of ways on how immigrants integrate their culture in American society?

    6. What is being referred to by the term western culture?

    Test Your Vocabulary: American Culture part 1

    American Culture Part 2

    Language

    The United States has no official language according to the U.S. government. While almost every language in the world is spoken in the United States, the most frequently spoken non-English languages are Spanish, Chinese, French and Filipino. Ninety percent of the U.S. population speaks and understands at least some English, and most official businesses are conducted in English. Some states have official or preferred languages. For example, English and Hawaiian are the official languages of Hawaii.

    The Census Bureau estimates that more than 300 languages are spoken in the United States. The bureau divides those languages into four categories: one, Spanish; two, other Indo-European languages, which includes German, Yiddish, Swedish, French, Italian, Russian, Polish, Hindi, Punjabi, Greek and several others; three, Asian and Pacific Island languages, including Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Thai, Tamil and more; and number four, “all other languages,” which is a category for languages that didn’t fit into the first three categories, such as Hungarian, Arabic, Hebrew, languages of Africa and languages of native people of North, Central and South America.

    Religion

    Nearly every known religion is practiced in the United States, which was founded on the basis of religious freedom. About 71% of Americans identify themselves as Christians, according to information gathered by the Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan research group, in 2017. The research also found that about 23% had no religious affiliation at all and around 6% of the population is made up non-Christian religions. The number of people who identify with no religion seems to be decreasing. According to the Pew Research Center, this category is expected to drop from 16% in 2015 to 13% in 2060.

    Fashion

    Clothing styles vary by social status, region, occupation and climate. Jeans, sneakers, baseball caps, cowboy hats and boots are some of the items of clothing that are closely associated with Americans.  Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Michael Kors and Victoria Secret are some well-known American brands. American fashion is widely influenced by celebrities and the media. And fashion sales equal around 200 Billion per year according to a paper published by Harvard University in 2007. More and more Americans are buying fashion, electronics and more online. According to the Census Bureau, U.S. retail e-commerce sales for the first quarter of 2017 totaled around 98.1 Billion USD.

    Food

    American cuisine was influenced by Europeans and Native Americans in its early history. Today, there are a number of foods that are commonly identified as American, such as hamburgers, hot dogs, potato chips, macaroni and cheese, and meat loaf. “As American as apple pie”, has come to mean something that is authentically American. There are also styles of cooking and types of foods that are specific to a region. Southern-style cooking is often called “American comfort food” and includes dishes such as fried chicken, collard greens, black-eyed peas and cornbread, according. Tex-Mex, popular in Texas and the Southwest, is a blend of Spanish and Mexican cooking styles and includes items such as chili and burritos, and relies heavily on shredded cheese and beans. Jerky, dried meats that are served as snacks, is also a food that was created in the United States, according to NPR.

    The Arts

    The United States is widely known around the world as a leader in mass media production, including television and movies. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, the United States comprises one-third of the worldwide media and entertainment industry. The television broadcasting industry took hold in the United States in the early 1950s, and American television programs are now shown around the world. The United States also has a vibrant movie industry, centered in Hollywood, California, and American movies are popular worldwide. The U.S. film industry earned $31 billion in revenues in 2013, and is expected to reach $771 billion by 2019, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.

    The United States’ arts culture extends beyond movies and television shows, though. New York is home to Broadway, and Americans have a rich theatrical history. American folk art is an artistic style and is identified with quilts and other hand-crafted items. American music is very diverse with many, many styles, including rhythm and blues, jazz, gospel, country and western, bluegrass, rock ‘n’ roll and hip hop.

    Sports

    Baseball is called America’s favorite pastime. The United States is a sports-minded country, with millions of fans who follow football, baseball, basketball and hockey, among other sports. Baseball, which was developed in colonial America and became an organized sport in the mid-1800s, is known as America’s favorite pastime, although it has been eclipsed in popularity by football for the past three decades, according to the Harris Poll.

    American holidays

    Many holidays are celebrated only in the United States. Americans celebrate their independence from Britain on July 4th. Memorial Day, celebrated on the last Monday in May, honors those who have died in military service. Labor Day, observed on the first Monday in September, celebrates the country’s workforce. Thanksgiving, another distinctive American holiday, falls on the fourth Thursday in November and dates back to colonial times to celebrate the harvest. Presidents’ Day, marking the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, is a federal holiday that occurs on the third Monday in February. The contributions of veterans are honored on Veterans’ Day, observed on November 11. The contributions of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. are remembered on the third Monday in January.

    *2021: 350 languages

    Guide Questions

    Answer the following questions. You may need additional information from other internet sources.

    1. Why do you think the USA has no official language?

    2. In the context of American society, what does “religious freedom” mean?

    3. How has American celebrities influenced how people around the world view beauty?

    4. Suggest ways on how American media have permeated into the world.

    5. Which American sport is popular in Thailand? Why is it popular?

    6. What American holiday(s) can be matched to any Thai holiday(s)?

    Test Your Vocabulary: American Culture part 2

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    united kingdom culture

    United Kingdom: History, Language and Culture

    Posted on by Ms. Elle

    Woven into the fabric of the United Kingdom of Great Britain is a rich history defined by wars, rebellions, royals, social upheaval and the rise and fall of what was once the biggest empire in the world. The Romans occupied Britain from AD 43 to AD 410 and left behind straight roads, a sewage system and hot baths, amongst other things. After that the Romans, Jutes, Saxons and Angles all established kingdoms south of Hadrian’s Wall before the Normans arrived and gave rise to the myth that it was the last time England was invaded. It wasn’t. England was subsequently invaded several times by the French, a few times by the Scots, at various intervals by pretenders to the throne and once by the Dutch. The Spanish and the Germans also had a go but neither actually set foot on dry land.

    King Henry VIII is not only famous for having six wives, but also for breaking away from the Church of Rome, setting up the Church of England so he could get divorced. After Henry, battles between monarchs, nations, nobles and sections of the population invariably became tussles about how to run the country, culminating in the English Civil War (1642-1651), which was won by the Parliamentarians.

    The constitutional monarchy that exists in the United Kingdom today developed during the 18th and 19th centuries as power came to be increasingly exercised by an elected parliament. In 1801 Great Britain – that’s England, Wales and Scotland – were formally united with Ireland. The subsequent reign of Queen Victoria, whose role was now little more than symbolic, coincided with a period of great economic success and unfettered empire building before events of the 20th century, notably two world wars, resulted in the dismantling of the empire.

    In 1920, Ireland gained independence from the United Kingdom, leaving behind Northern Ireland, whose troubled relationship with the UK led to an ethno-nationalist conflict better known as The Troubles (1968-1998). World wars and internal conflicts led to social upheaval, which resulted in universal suffrage, the Welfare State, the repeal of the death penalty and the legalization of homosexuality. In 2014 Scotland held a referendum to determine whether it would continue being part of the United Kingdom or not. It voted to stay, but calls for independence can still be heard across the land.

    Did you know? Cricket, football, boxing, rowing, rugby (league and union), tennis and golf were formalized into sports in the UK. • The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is the world’s oldest and largest broadcaster. • The Orkney Vole has inhabited the islands for 4,600 years and does not occur on mainland Britain.

    United Kingdom Culture

    Religion in United Kingdom. Predominantly Christian (Church of England, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist), sizeable Muslim, Sikh, Jewish and Hindu minorities. Around 15% of the population have no religion. Social Conventions in United Kingdom Handshaking is customary when introduced to someone for the first time. One or two kisses on the cheek is gaining popularity for close friends. Normal social courtesies should be observed when visiting someone’s home and a small present such as flowers or chocolates is appreciated. It is polite to wait until everyone has been served before eating. Some nightclubs and restaurants do not allow jeans and trainers, otherwise casual wear is widely acceptable. For business, a suit and tie should be worn, although in some workplaces an open neck is acceptable.

    Topless sunbathing is allowed on certain beaches and tolerated in some parks. Smoking is banned in all enclosed public places, including stations, pubs and restaurants, throughout the UK. The monarchy, though now only symbolic politically, is a powerful and often subconscious unifying force. Members of the Royal Family are the subject of unceasing fascination, with their every move avidly followed and reported by the popular press, both in the UK and abroad.

    Language in United Kingdom. The main language is English, but Welsh is spoken in parts of Wales, and Gaelic in parts of Scotland. The many ethnic minorities within the UK also speak their own languages like Cantonese, Greek, Hindi, Mandarin, Turkish, Urdu, so on and so forth.

    *Source: https://www.worldtravelguide.net/guides/europe/united-kingdom/history-language-culture/

    Guide Questions

    1. How has Great Britain’s invaders enriched the countries culture?

    2. What was the initial purpose for setting up the Church of England?

    3. What comprises Great Britain? United Kingdom?

    4. Look for additional information regarding the ethno-nationalist conflict known as “The Troubles”.

    5. How does UK’s social courtesies differ from Thai social customary?

    6. Why do you think the UK Royal Family fascinates people around the world.

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