Teaching Hints
Use this chapter as an opportunity to talk about everyday customs in different
countries. You may want to mention customs connected with greeting one
another or inviting a guest into one’s home. Have students look at the photo and
describe how this person is eating. What kind of table customs do students think
are common in Thailand? How might these customs be different from those in
their country? Discuss some differences in table customs in various countries.
Warm-up Ask a volunteer to step outside the classroom. Hide a coin or some
other prize somewhere in the classroom, preferably under something else. When
the student returns, he or she must try to find the object by asking questions of
other members of the class. Tell the student that he or she should use a preposition
in each question—for example, “Is the coin nearthe teacher’s desk?” “Is it under a
book?” To make the game more challenging, allow no more than five questions.
Draw and Write Pass out large sheets of paper and markers of assorted
colors. Ask students to draw a diagram of a room in their home. The diagram
should show the position of furniture and other objects. You may want to draw
one of your own living room as an example. Tell students to leave enough space
at the bottom of the page to write five sentences about the room. Each sentence
should use a preposition—for example, “The television is in front of the couch.”
Reading Ask students to read the passage on page 89 again, this time circling all the prepositions. Ask them, in each instance, what the object of the
preposition is.
Discussion Have students work in groups to make a list of the five most
important rules for eating politely in their culture. Compare the lists and discuss
any disagreements or contradictions.
Journal Describe eating customs in your home. Are they typical of your country? How are they the same as those of most people in your country? How are
they different?