Intercultural Communication

Debug: raw lesson data

{
  "level": "B2",
  "slug": "intercultural-communication",
  "title": "Intercultural Communication",
  "core_vocab": {
    "items": [
      {
        "en": "cultural norm",
        "es": "norma cultural",
        "pos": "noun"
      },
      {
        "en": "assumption",
        "es": "suposición",
        "pos": "noun"
      },
      {
        "en": "misunderstanding",
        "es": "malentendido",
        "pos": "noun"
      },
      {
        "en": "gesture",
        "es": "gesto",
        "pos": "noun"
      },
      {
        "en": "perspective",
        "es": "perspectiva",
        "pos": "noun"
      },
      {
        "en": "to interpret",
        "es": "interpretar",
        "pos": "verb"
      },
      {
        "en": "to adapt",
        "es": "adaptarse",
        "pos": "verb"
      },
      {
        "en": "to clarify",
        "es": "aclarar",
        "pos": "verb"
      },
      {
        "en": "respectful",
        "es": "respetuoso",
        "pos": "adjective"
      },
      {
        "en": "indirect",
        "es": "indirecto",
        "pos": "adjective"
      },
      {
        "en": "direct",
        "es": "directo",
        "pos": "adjective"
      },
      {
        "en": "culturally aware",
        "es": "con conciencia cultural",
        "pos": "adjective"
      }
    ]
  },
  "useful_phrases": {
    "items": [
      {
        "en": "From my perspective...",
        "es": "Desde mi perspectiva..."
      },
      {
        "en": "I might be misunderstanding you.",
        "es": "Puede que te esté malinterpretando."
      },
      {
        "en": "Could you clarify what you mean?",
        "es": "¿Podrías aclarar lo que quieres decir?"
      },
      {
        "en": "In my culture, it’s common to...",
        "es": "En mi cultura, es común..."
      },
      {
        "en": "I didn't mean to offend you.",
        "es": "No quise ofenderte."
      },
      {
        "en": "Thanks for explaining that.",
        "es": "Gracias por explicar eso."
      },
      {
        "en": "Different cultures communicate differently.",
        "es": "Las diferentes culturas se comunican de manera distinta."
      },
      {
        "en": "Let’s try to find a shared understanding.",
        "es": "Intentemos encontrar un entendimiento común."
      }
    ]
  },
  "conversation_starters": {
    "items": [
      {
        "en": "What cultural differences have surprised you in the past?",
        "es": "¿Qué diferencias culturales te han sorprendido en el pasado?"
      },
      {
        "en": "How do people usually communicate in your culture?",
        "es": "¿Cómo suelen comunicarse las personas en tu cultura?"
      },
      {
        "en": "Have you ever experienced a cultural misunderstanding?",
        "es": "¿Alguna vez has tenido un malentendido cultural?"
      },
      {
        "en": "What habits from your culture do you think others might misunderstand?",
        "es": "¿Qué hábitos de tu cultura crees que otros podrían malinterpretar?"
      }
    ]
  },
  "grammar": {
    "items": [
      {
        "title": "Modals of Deduction (Present) for Interpreting Communication",
        "pattern": "Subject + must / might / could + base verb",
        "explanation_en": "We use modals of deduction to guess or interpret what someone means based on limited information.",
        "explanation_es": "Usamos los modales de deducción para adivinar o interpretar lo que alguien quiere decir con información limitada.",
        "examples": [
          {
            "en": "She must mean that the meeting is important.",
            "es": "Ella debe querer decir que la reunión es importante."
          },
          {
            "en": "He might be uncomfortable with direct questions.",
            "es": "Puede que él esté incómodo con preguntas directas."
          }
        ]
      }
    ]
  },
  "pattern_practice": {
    "items": [
      {
        "prompt_en": "She looks confused. She ___ not understand the gesture. (might)",
        "prompt_es": "Ella parece confundida. Ella ___ no entender el gesto. (might)",
        "answer_en": "She might not understand the gesture.",
        "answer_gap": "might not"
      },
      {
        "prompt_en": "They are speaking softly. They ___ be trying to be respectful. (could)",
        "prompt_es": "Ellos hablan en voz baja. Ellos ___ estar tratando de ser respetuosos. (could)",
        "answer_en": "They could be trying to be respectful.",
        "answer_gap": "could be"
      },
      {
        "prompt_en": "He is avoiding eye contact. He ___ feel uncomfortable. (might)",
        "prompt_es": "Él evita el contacto visual. Él ___ sentirse incómodo. (might)",
        "answer_en": "He might feel uncomfortable.",
        "answer_gap": "might"
      },
      {
        "prompt_en": "She is smiling politely. She ___ want to end the conversation. (must)",
        "prompt_es": "Ella sonríe cortésmente. Ella ___ querer terminar la conversación. (must)",
        "answer_en": "She must want to end the conversation.",
        "answer_gap": "must"
      }
    ]
  },
  "mini_dialogue": {
    "turns": [
      {
        "speaker": "A",
        "en": "I might be misunderstanding you. Did you mean the meeting is canceled?"
      },
      {
        "speaker": "B",
        "en": "No, I only meant it might start later."
      },
      {
        "speaker": "A",
        "en": "Ah, thanks for clarifying. In my culture, direct communication is common."
      },
      {
        "speaker": "B",
        "en": "I see. People here often communicate more indirectly."
      },
      {
        "speaker": "A",
        "en": "That must make misunderstandings more likely."
      },
      {
        "speaker": "B",
        "en": "Yes, but being culturally aware helps a lot."
      }
    ]
  },
  "reading": {
    "title": "Learning to Communicate Across Cultures",
    "text": "When people from different cultures interact, they bring their own communication styles, expectations, and assumptions. These differences can easily lead to misunderstandings. For example, a gesture that is respectful in one culture may seem rude in another. People who value direct communication might feel uncomfortable when others speak indirectly, while those from indirect cultures may interpret directness as impolite. One key skill in intercultural communication is the ability to pause and consider multiple possible interpretations. Another is being willing to clarify meaning instead of reacting quickly. With practice, people can adapt their communication styles and develop cultural awareness, making interactions smoother and more respectful."
  },
  "listening_script": {
    "title": "A Workshop on Intercultural Communication",
    "script": "Welcome to today's workshop on intercultural communication. We will begin by discussing how cultural norms influence the way people interpret messages. For instance, some cultures prefer direct answers, while others rely on indirect expressions to show politeness. You may also notice differences in gestures, personal space, or levels of eye contact. These differences can easily cause misunderstandings if we make assumptions too quickly. During this session, we will practice identifying possible meanings behind someone's words or actions. Remember, effective communication often requires asking clarifying questions and considering more than one perspective. By the end of the workshop, you should feel more confident adapting to diverse communication styles."
  },
  "tasks": {
    "A": {
      "type": "reading_comprehension_multi_choice",
      "instructions_en": "Read the passage and choose the correct answer.",
      "items": [
        {
          "question_en": "What can easily cause misunderstandings between cultures?",
          "options_en": [
            "Using simple vocabulary",
            "Having identical routines",
            "Differences in communication styles",
            "Knowing several languages"
          ],
          "answer_index": 2
        },
        {
          "question_en": "What is one recommended strategy for better communication?",
          "options_en": [
            "Reacting quickly",
            "Avoiding clarification",
            "Considering several possible meanings",
            "Speaking louder"
          ],
          "answer_index": 2
        }
      ]
    },
    "B": {
      "type": "grammar_form_practice_gap_fill",
      "instructions_en": "Complete the sentences using modals of deduction.",
      "items": [
        {
          "prompt_en": "She looks thoughtful. She ___ be trying to understand your perspective.",
          "answer_en": "She might be trying to understand your perspective."
        },
        {
          "prompt_en": "He is unusually quiet today. He ___ feel nervous.",
          "answer_en": "He could feel nervous."
        },
        {
          "prompt_en": "They arrived very early. They ___ want to make a good impression.",
          "answer_en": "They must want to make a good impression."
        }
      ]
    },
    "C": {
      "type": "guided_speaking_prompts",
      "instructions_en": "Use the prompts to discuss experiences with intercultural communication.",
      "items": [
        {
          "prompt_en": "Describe a time you experienced a cultural misunderstanding. What happened?"
        },
        {
          "prompt_en": "Explain one cultural habit from your country that others might misunderstand."
        }
      ]
    },
    "D": {
      "type": "free_production_writing",
      "instructions_en": "Write a short paragraph about a cultural difference you have observed and what you learned from it.",
      "items": [
        {
          "prompt_en": "Focus on how communication styles or habits influenced the experience."
        }
      ]
    }
  },
  "tiny_quiz": {
    "items": [
      {
        "question_en": "Which modal expresses a strong deduction?",
        "options_en": [
          "might",
          "could",
          "must",
          "may"
        ],
        "answer_index": 2
      },
      {
        "question_en": "What is one key skill in intercultural communication?",
        "options_en": [
          "Reacting quickly",
          "Assuming one meaning",
          "Clarifying meaning",
          "Ignoring differences"
        ],
        "answer_index": 2
      }
    ]
  }
}