UNIT #

4 EXTENSION Name: .........................................................

1 The words below appear in the text in Exercise 2. Write the words in your own language.
You can use a dictionary.
1 honeymoon ............................................... 3 host country ..............................................
2 distress ............................................... 4 accepting ...............................................

2 Read the text about culture shock.

HOW TO SURVIVE CULTURE SHOCK

Culture shock is often felt by travellers, immigrants and exchange students. It’s the surprise of a new environment
and a new way of life. It’s also caused by separation from friends and family. Other factors like a new climate,
different food and only hearing a foreign language can also make it difficult to settle down. You will probably
experience some culture shock, so it’s important to understand its stages.

Stage 1: The Honeymoon Stage During this stage, those angry feelings to control you. They are a sign
you will be enthusiastic about the new environment that you are dealing with your situation.
and culture. At the same time, you will still feel close
Stage 4: The Autonomy Stage At this stage, you will
to everything back home.
start to accept the differences between your host
Stage 2: The Distress Stage By this time, things that country and your own country, and you will feel like you
you are experiencing will no longer feel new. You will can begin to live with them.
feel anxious and alone because you are far away from
Stage 5: The Independence Stage You will feel
your family and friends. Maybe you will also feel it is
comfortable with the beliefs, customs and daily life of
hard to keep in touch with them. This is one of the most
the people around you. You will start to feel at home.
stressful stages.
Remember, when you live abroad, you don’t just learn
Stage 3: The Re-integration Stage The culture, the
about other cultures, you also become more accepting
language and the food of your host country will bother
of them.
you during this stage. Perhaps you will feel angry and
question your decision to live abroad. But don’t allow

3 Choose the correct answer. Then match each example to a stage of culture shock.
1 Mia is upset because her family didn’t answer her phone call, and her call isn’t returned / wasn’t returned.
Stage .....
2 Kim and Ann aren’t bothered / weren’t bothered by not drinking coffee in the morning. They have begun to eat
rice for breakfast. Stage .....
3 Sam and Dan are excited by living in their host country. Their move is seen / was seen as a great adventure.
Stage .....
4 Zoe has made many friends and she was often helped / is often helped by them. She feels relaxed in her
host country and she is benefitting from her experiences. Stage .....
5 Ben missed his family and friends and wanted to go home. He was convinced / is convinced by his host
family to stay. Stage .....

Teamwork ESO 4 Photocopiable © Burlington Books 1

 EXTENSION # UNIT 4

4 Write questions using the words below and the correct form of the passive.
Then answer the questions about the text.
1 who / culture shock / usually / experience / by

.............................................................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................................................

2 can / you name / four things / culture shock / often / cause / by

.............................................................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................................................

3 what stages / consider / stressful

.............................................................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................................................

5 Imagine an exchange student from the UK is coming to your school. Write an e-mail
to the student with advice and suggestions about how to adapt to life in your country.
Include the following information:
• the climate in your country
• important customs
• the food

Teamwork ESO 4 Photocopiable © Burlington Books 2