Instructional Guide

Student activities:
Compare Chinese and American food: In what ways are they similar or different? How do you think this might reflect cultural differences? Consider Confucius'analogy in the chapter 11 text.

Because of the quickening rate of globalization in the modern world, some people are afraid that this will eventually lead to a monoculture. Discuss whether you feel that it is important to keep individual cultures thriving. Do you think a shared culture would have advantages (consider for example using one language everywhere).

Teacher's guide:
Identify new grammatical constructions in the video clip and practice them with the students. Clarify any grammar or vocabulary from the video clip that the students do not understand.

Compare Chinese and American culture: bring an example of Chinese pop music and American pop music (or Chinese and American art or movies) and play a little of each for the students. Use this to begin a discussion about cultural differences in the arts between China and the U.S.

Explain to the students why Confucius is very important to Chinese culture and what concepts characterize Confucian thought. Ask them whether they think that Confucian thought applies to modern society.