TOPIC 4:
our customs and traditions
LESSON 1.
GETTING STARTED
Teacher:�Today we`re going to learn about customs and traditions. Do you think they`re the same?
Mi: I think they`re different, but it`s hard to explain how.
Nick: In my opinion, a custom is something that has become an�accepted�way of doing things. And a tradition is something we do that is�special�and is passed down through the generations.
Teacher:�Yes, spot on! Give me an example of a custom.
Mai: My family has this custom of eating dinner at 7 p.m. sharp.
Teacher:�Really?
Mai:� Yes, we have to be at the dinner table on time.
Teacher:�That`s interesting! How about a tradition, Phong?
Phong: �We have a family tradition of visiting the pagoda on the first day of every lunar month.
Nick:� You`re kidding!
Phong: No, no. We`ve followed this tradition for generations.
Teacher:�You`ve mentioned family, but what about social customs and traditions, Nick?
Nick:� Well, in the UK there are lots of customs for table manners. For example, we have to use a knife and fork at dinner. Then, there`s a British tradition of having afternoon tea at 4 p.m.
Teacher:�Sounds lovely! Now, for homework, you should find information about a custom or tradition. You`re doing mini presentations next week...
a. Find a word/ phrase that means:
1 + D
2 + A
3 + F
4 + E
5 + C
6 + B
b: True (T) or false (F).
T
F
T
F
1. What is Mai`s family custom?
?
How does Nick feel when Phong talks about one of his
family traditions?
?
3. What is the similarity between a custom and a traditions
?
4. What is the difference between them?
?

5. What should the students do for homework?
?
It`s eating dinner at 7 p.m. sharp.
He`s surprised.
They both refer to doing something that develops over time.
A custom is something accepted. A tradition is something special and is passed down through the generations.
They should find information about a custom or tradition.
C. Answer the questions.
d. Find these sentences in the conversation and fill in the missing words.
We _________ be at the dinner table on time.

You _________find information about a custom or tradition.
have to
should
What do you think these sentences mean?
Have to: It’s an obligation.
Should: It’s a suggestion or advice.
2a. Match the pictures with the customs and traditions.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
h.
g.
f.
g.
c.
f.
h.
e.
a.
b.
d.
2b. Write C (custom) or T (tradition) next to each activity. In pairs, compare your answers.
C
C
C
C
T
T
C or T
C or T
LESSON 2.
A CLOSER LOOK 1
1. Match the first halves of the sentences with the second halves.
1-e
2-d
3-a
4-g
5-b
6-c
7-f
2. Read the full sentences in 1 again and complete the expressions below.
it’s the ___________ for somebody to do something

there’s a ___________ that + clause

3. ___________ to tradition, + clause

follow the ___________ of doing something

break ___________ tradition by doing something

have the custom ___________ doing something

there is a custom of ___________ something
custom
tradition
According
tradition
with
of
doing
3. Read the following customs and traditions. Make sentences to say if you have these in your province area, using any of the expressions in 2. Remember to change the verb tense if necessary.
According to tradition, we have fireworks on New Year’s Eve.
My area broke with tradition by not having firecrackers on New Year’s Eve.
There’s a tradition in our province of having fireworks on New Year’s Eve.
1. having fireworks on New Year’s Eve
2. waiting until the guests finish eating before leaving the dinner table
3. touching children’s heads
4. decorating the house on special occasions
5. women shaking strangers’ hands
4. Now complete the following sentences with your own ideas.
1. It’s the custom in my country that ________________________

2. We broke with tradition by ______________________________

3. There’s a tradition in my family that _______________________

4. We have the custom of _________________________________

5. According to tradition, __________________________________
5. Complete the words under the pictures with spr or str. Then listen and repeat.
7. e ___ esso.
8. new __ int .
str
str
spr
spr
str
[`æstrənɔ:t]
str
[frʌs`treitid]
spr
spr
[es`presou]
6. Listen and circle the words with /spr/ and underline the word with /str/. Then say the sentence.
In my family, all the traditions of our ancestors are strictly followed.
The custom of saying hello to strangers has spread through our community.
In our district, it’s the custom for resident to sweep the streets on Saturday mornings.
That filmstrip really highlighted our customs and traditions.
Parents usually want their offspring to follow the family traditions
LESSON 3.
A CLOSER LOOK 2
Example:
- We should study hard.
We shouldn’t fight.
(+) S + should + V
(-) S + should + not + V (should not = shouldn’t)
(?) Should + S + V?
Yes, S + should
No, S + shouldn’t
Should and shouldn’t to express advice: review
1. Look at the pictures and complete the sentences with should or shouldn’t.
1. You __________ respect old people.
2. According to tradition, you __________ 
sweep the floor on the first day of Tet.
should
shouldn’t
3. Children __________ take things from adults with both hands.
4. You __________ wear shorts when going to the pagoda.
5. You __________ bring a gift when you visit someone’s house.
should
shouldn’t
should
2. Match the situations in A and the advice in B.
1. Your sister is chewing and talking at the same time.
2. Your brother is noisy at the pagoda.
3. Your foreign friend has been invited to dinner in a Vietnamese house.
4. You don’t know what to do when going into a Japanese house.
5. You have been invited to dinner with a British family.
A. You shouldn’t do that. It’s not very polite.
B. Shhhh! You should be quiet in here.
C. After taking food from the plate, you should put it into your bowl before eating.
D. You should take off your shoes at the entrance.
E. You should arrive on time.
“Have to” to express obligation or necessity
Remember!
“Don`t have to” is used when it is not necessary to do something
Example: My mother doesn`t have to work on Saturdays.
If you want to tell somebody not to do something as an obligation, use must not/mustn`t instead
Example:You mustn`t wear short skirts in here
3. Complete the sentences with the correct form of have to.
My mother says that I __________ be home by 9 p.m. sharp.

We __________ go now because our dad is waiting for us.

She __________ wear that costume because it’s the family tradition.

In the past, men __________ wear ao dai, but today they _______________ wear it.

Before leaving the dinner table, __________ your son __________ ask for permission?

We _______________ go to school today because it was raining heavily.
have to
have to
has to
had to
don’t have to
does
have to
didn’t have to
4. Choose A or B to convey the meaning of the first sentence.
You have to take your hat off when going inside the main worship area of the temple.

A. You can take your hat off if you want to.

B. You’re not allowed to wear your hat.

You don’t have to tip in Viet Nam.

A. It’s not necessary to tip in Viet Nam.

B. You’re not allowed to tip in Viet Nam.

Students mustn’t run or be noisy in the school building.

A. Running and being noisy aren’t allowed in the school building.

B. They can run and be noisy if they want to.

In the past, Vietnamese people had to live with their parents even after they got married.

A. They could live with their parents after they got married.

B. They were obliged to live with their parents after they got married.
5. Mi is going to visit her friend Eri in Japan. Read Eri’s email. There are six mistakes in it. Can you find and correct them?
From: eri@fastmail.com
To: mi@quickmail.com
Hello Mi,

I’m so excited about your trip. It’s going to be amazing!
I shouldn’t give you some advice, so you can prepare for Japan. We have lots of customs and it can get a bit confusing for visitors. ☺
Firstly you has to take off your shoes when you go inside. You shouldn’t wear slippers in the house - but you didn’t have to bring any, we have extra pairs for guests. Then you have use different slippers in the bathroom and in the garden, but you’ll get used to it! You should worry - I’ll be there to help you.
All for now, gotta go…

Eri x
+ Advice:
- Children should take things from adults with both hands.
- You shouldn’t wear shorts when going to the pagoda.
- You should bring a gift when you visit someone’s house.
 + Obligation:
- You have to take your hat off when going inside the main worship area of the temple.
- You don’t have to tip in Vietnam.
- Before leaving the dinner table, you must ask for permission.
LESSON 4.
SKILLS 1
- generation (n)
: thế hệ
- Sense of belonging (n)
: cảm giác thân thuộc.
- grilled chicken
: thịt gà nướng
- wedding anniversary
: kỉ niệm ngày cưới
1.  What are the people doing in each picture?



2.  Does your family ever do the same things?

Picture 1: A family is celebrating a birthday.
Picture 3: A family is at an amusement park.
Yes, we do / / No, we don’t
2. Read Mi’s presentation on customs and traditions. Is she writing about her family or her society?
In my opinion, customs and traditions are very important. Like other families, we have our own customs and traditions.

A.  Firstly, there’s a tradition in our family of having lunch together on the second day of Tet. Everyone has to be there before 11 a.m. We have followed this tradition for three generations.

B.  Secondly, we have the custom of spending Sunday together. We usually go to the cinema or go for a picnic. We don’t have to do it, but it makes us closer as a family.

C.  Thirdly, we celebrate our grandparents’ wedding anniversary on the first Sunday of October because they don’t remember the exact date. The custom is that we have to cook a new dish each year. Last year, my mum cooked lasagne, an Italian dish. This year, we prepared five-coloured sticky rice served with grilled chicken. We all enjoy these customs and traditions because they provide our family with a sense of belonging.
Is she writing about her family or her society?
She is writing about her family
3. Now decide in which paragraph each detail below is mentioned. Write A, B, or C in the blank.
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
4. Read the text again and answer the questions.
What are the three customs or traditions Mi mentions?
They are: having lunch together on the second day of Tet, spending Sunday together, and celebrating her grandparents’ wedding anniversary on the first Sunday of October.
What does Mi’s family usually do on Sundays?
They usually go to the cinema or go for a picnic together.
What is the date of her grandparents’ wedding anniversary?
They don’t remember.
What did they make for the grandparents’ wedding anniversary this year?
They made five-coloured sticky rice served with grilled chicken.
Why do they love family customs and traditions?
Because they provide a sense of belonging.
4. Read the text again and answer the questions.
What are the three customs or traditions Mi mentions?




What does Mi’s family usually do on Sundays?


What is the date of her grandparents’ wedding anniversary?


What did they make for the grandparents’ wedding anniversary this year?


Why do they love family customs and traditions?

They are: having lunch together on the second day of Tet, spending Sunday together, and celebrating her grandparents’ wedding anniversary on the first Sunday of October.
They usually go to the cinema or go for a picnic together.
They don’t remember.
They made five-coloured sticky rice served with grilled chicken.
Because they provide a sense of belonging.
LESSON 4.
SKILLS 2
I. LISTENING
- express (v)
biểu lộ, diễn đạt
- unity (n)
sự thống nhất
- spiritual (adj)
(thuộc) tâm linh, tinh thần
- reflect (v)
phản ánh
- ancient ( adj)
very old
express (v):
thể hiện, diễn đạt
perform (v):
biểu diễn
reflect (v):
phản ánh
unity (n):
Sự thống nhất
wealthy (adj):
giàu sang
private gatherings (n):
sự tụ họp riêng tư
lifestyle (n):
lối sống
honor (v):
thể hiện sự kính trọng
2. Listen to Mai’s presentation and complete the table with no more than three words from the recording.
happy and wealthy
private gatherings
30
the circle dance
social
fire
the music
culture and lifestyle
3. Listen again and tick () true (T) or fasle (F).
The xoe dance is a spiritual tradition of Thai ethnic people.

There are 16 ancient forms of xoe.

Only young people perform the circle dance.

Dancers with conical hats, paper fans or scarves are some forms of xoe.

The importance of xoe is expressed in an old Thai song.
T F





Young or old people
6
UNIT 4 OUR CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS
Lesson 6: SKILLS 2
I. LISTENING
- clockwise (n)
theo chiều kim đồng hồ
- counter-clockwise (n)
- reunite (v)
hội họp, xum họp
II. WRITING
theo ngược chiều kim đồng hồ
- honour (v)
thể hiện sự kính trọng
4. Work in pairs. Read about a traditional Japanese dances. Make complete sentences, using the information given
I. LISTENING
- express (v)
biểu lộ, diễn đạt
- unity (n)
sự thống nhất
- spiritual (adj)
(thuộc) tâm linh, tinh thần
- reflect (v)
phản ánh
- ancient ( adj)
very old
- clockwise (n)
theo chiều kim đồng hồ
- counter-clockwise (n)
- reunite (v)
hội họp, xum họp
theo ngược chiều kim đồng hồ
- honour (v)
thể hiện sự kính trọng
2. Listen to Mai’s presentation and complete the table with no more than three words from the recording.
Happy and wealthy
Private gatherings
30
Circle dance
social
fire
music
Culture and lifestyle
3. Listen again and tick () true (T) or fasle (F).
The xoe dance is a spiritual tradition of Thai ethnic people.

There are 16 ancient forms of xoe.

Only young people perform the circle dance.

Dancers with conical hats, paper fans or scarves are some forms of xoe.

The importance of xoe is expressed in an old Thai song.
T F





Young or old people
6
4. Work in pairs. Read about a traditional Japanese dances. Make complete sentences, using the information given
1. Complete the sentences with the words from the box.
vocabulary
cutlery generations wrap
workship host respect
We should __________ our customs and traditions.

A lot of countries in the world have the tradition of ____________ their ancestors.

You shouldn’t __________ a gift in black or white paper.

In a lot of countries, the __________ usually invites everybody to start eating.

In Viet Nam, the __________ we mostly use is chopsticks.

For _______________ , my family has visited this pagoda.
respect
worshipping
wrap
host
cutlery
generations
4. Complete the sentences, using should or shouldn’t and a verb from the box.
grammar
use break wait touch follow
In Viet Nam you _______________ for the eldest person to sit before you sit down.

In Viet Nam you _______________ only the first name to address people older than you.

You _______________ your promise to the children.

If you are Vietnamese, you _______________ your customs and traditions.

You _______________ another person’s head because it’s disrespectful.
should wait
shouldn’t use
shouldn’t break
should follow
shouldn’t touch
5. Identify one mistake in each of the following sentences. Correct it.
When you visit a temple in Thailand, you has to follow some important customs.

People should wear short shorts and tank tops. This is disrespectful.

People can wear sandals, but these have to has a strap around the back.

People should to lower their voice inside the temple.

Women have avoid touching monks.
=> have to
=> shouldn’t
=> have to have
=> should
=> have to avoid