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Conversational / EVERYDAY ENGLISH
Lesson 28
Cultural Differences in Family Life
Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
1. Use vocabulary to describe cultural differences in family life.
2. Compare traditions, roles, and values between families in different cultures.
3. Share personal experiences and opinions about how family life varies around the world.
Exercise 1
Vocabulary
Direction: Listen and repeat after your teacher
noun
Custom
Similar:
bespoke
tailored
tradition
usage
/ˈkʌs.təm/
Meaning:
A traditional way of behaving or doing something in a society
- It’s a custom in many cultures to greet elders with respect.
Real Life Tip:
Customs often vary between countries; for example, family mealtimes are earlier in Spain but later in Latin America.
noun
Respect
Similar:
regard
observe
esteem
deference
/rɪˈspekt/
Meaning:
Admiration or polite behavior toward someone, often elders
- Children show respect by listening to their parents’ advice.
Real Life Tip:
Respect for elders is very strong in Asian, African, and Latin American cultures.
Grow up
phrasal verb
Similar:
similarvocab3.1
similarvocab3.2
similarvocab3.3
similarvocab3.4
/ɡroʊ ʌp/
Meaning:
To become an adult, usually in a specific place or culture
- I grew up in a family where we always ate dinner together.
Real Life Tip:
Commonly used to describe childhood experiences and cultural upbringing.
Take care of
phrasal verb
Similar:
similarvocab4.1
similarvocab4.2
similarvocab4.3
similarvocab4.4
/teɪk kɛr ʌv/
Meaning:
To look after someone, especially family members
- In some cultures, children take care of their parents when they get old.
Real Life Tip:
Frequently used in family and caregiving contexts.
Exercise 2
Conversation
Direction: First, read the conversation aloud. Then, practice by role-playing it with your tutor.
Situation: Two friends are talking about family life in their cultures.
Where did you grow up, Daniel?
Sofia
I grew up in the U.S., in a small town. Family gatherings were just with parents and siblings.
Daniel
Interesting. In my country, different generations live together; grandparents, parents, and children.
Sofia
That sounds nice. Who usually takes care of the grandparents?
Daniel
Usually the children do. It’s a custom to show respect to elders.
Sofia
In America, many grandparents live in retirement homes instead.
Daniel
That’s a big cultural difference. But I think both ways show love in different forms.
Sofia
I agree. Family life depends a lot on culture and tradition.
Daniel
Exercise 2.1
Questions.
1. Where did Daniel grow up?
2. Who usually takes care of grandparents in Sofia’s country?
3. What cultural difference do they talk about?
Exercise 3
Practice Time
Direction: Complete the exercise by choosing the correct answer.
Many families ______ (live/lives/lived) together in one house.
Children usually ______ (respect/respects/respected) their parents.
My grandparents ______ (grow/grows/grew) up in the countryside.
We always ______ (take/takes/took) care of our neighbors.
In my culture, family traditions ______ (is/are/be) very important.
Exercise 4
Ask Your Tutor
Direction: Ask your tutor these questions. Listen carefully and learn
1. How does family life in your country compare to mine?
2. Do grandparents usually live with the family where you’re from?
3. What customs are most important in your family?
Exercise 5
Discussion
Direction: Use the new words and expression you learnt in this lesson to have a conversation with your tutor.
1. Did you grow up in a big family or a small family?
2. Who usually takes care of grandparents in your culture?
3. Do families in your country often live together or separately?
4. How do families celebrate birthdays in your culture?
5. What customs do children follow in your culture?
6. Do you think younger generations respect elders in the same way today?
7. What role do grandparents play in your family?
8. Is family life in your country more traditional or modern?
9. Have you ever noticed a cultural difference in family life while traveling?
10. Which do you prefer: living with many generations or just the nuclear family?
