Travel & Culture - Trying a Local Class or Skill (Upper-Intermediate)

Activity 1: Let's Get Started! 🤔 (Warm-up Discussion)

Let's discuss the value of hands-on learning during travel.

How does learning a local skill (like cooking, a craft, or dancing) offer a different kind of cultural insight compared to visiting museums or historical sites?
What factors would you consider when choosing a local class to take while traveling (e.g., duration, cost, authenticity, language of instruction)?
Describe a skill you would be most interested in learning from a local expert in a foreign country. What do you think would be the most challenging and rewarding aspects of that experience?

Activity 2: New Words & Phrases 🗣️ (Vocabulary Expansion)

Enhance your vocabulary for discussing learning new skills while traveling at an upper-intermediate level.

1. Hands-on experience (noun phrase): Direct, practical experience of doing something, rather than just learning about it from books or lectures.

Example: "The cooking class provided a great Hands-on experience; we didn't just watch, we made the entire meal ourselves."

2. Technique (noun): A way of carrying out a particular task, especially the execution or performance of an artistic work or a scientific procedure.

Example: "The artisan demonstrated the traditional Technique for weaving the intricate patterns."

3. Novice (noun): A person new to and inexperienced in a job or situation.

Example: "Although she was a complete Novice at pottery, the instructor was very patient and helpful."

4. Artisan (noun): A worker in a skilled trade, especially one that involves making things by hand.

Example: "We bought a beautiful leather bag directly from the Artisan who made it in his workshop."

5. Immerse yourself in (verb phrase): To involve oneself deeply in a particular activity or interest.

Example: "To truly learn the language, you have to Immerse yourself in the local culture."

6. Gain an appreciation for (verb phrase): To develop a full understanding of a situation, the difficulties of something, or the value of someone or something.

Example: "By trying it himself, he began to Gain an appreciation for the immense skill required in glassblowing."

Activity 3: Reading - Learning from a Master 📖

Read this account of a traveler taking a local craft class.

During her extended stay in a small Italian town, Chloe wanted to do more than just see the sights; she wanted to create something. She signed up for a half-day leatherworking class with a local Artisan named Marco, whose family had been in the trade for generations. As a complete Novice, Chloe was nervous, but Marco was welcoming. The workshop was filled with the rich smell of leather and the sight of well-worn tools. Marco began by explaining the history of his craft before demonstrating the basic Technique for cutting and stitching the leather. This wasn't a lecture; it was a completely Hands-on experience from the start.

Chloe chose to make a simple wallet. As she worked, she struggled with the stitching Technique, but Marco guided her patiently. The process allowed her to fully Immerse herself in the moment, focusing entirely on the craft in front of her. By the end of the class, she had a slightly imperfect but treasured wallet that she had made herself. More importantly, she began to Gain an appreciation for the incredible skill and dedication required for this traditional craft. This Hands-on experience with a master Artisan gave her a unique connection to the town's culture that no museum visit could ever replicate. It was a tangible memory of her time there.

Questions about the Story:

Answer these questions:

What kind of class did Chloe sign up for, and with whom?
How would you describe Chloe's skill level at the beginning of the class?
What did the Artisan, Marco, demonstrate before Chloe started her own project?
What phrase is used to describe the practical nature of the class?
Besides a wallet, what did Chloe Gain an appreciation for by the end of the class?

Activity 4: Role Play - Inquiring About a Cooking Class 🎭

Let's pretend! One person is David (Prospective Student), and the other is Ms. Sofia Rossi (Cooking Instructor).

David: Good morning! I'm interested in your local cuisine cooking class. I should mention, I'm a complete Novice in the kitchen!

Ms. Sofia Rossi: (Laughing) Good morning! Don't worry, many of our students are Novices. The goal is to have fun and Immerse yourself in our food culture. This is a very Hands-on experience.

David: That's what I'm looking for. What specific Technique will we be learning today?

Ms. Sofia Rossi: Today, we're focusing on the Technique of making fresh pasta from scratch. You'll learn everything from mixing the dough to shaping it.

David: Wow, making pasta from scratch! That sounds like an amazing Hands-on experience. Will we be working with a professional chef or an Artisan?

Ms. Sofia Rossi: You could say I'm an Artisan of pasta! My grandmother taught me, and her grandmother taught her. It's a family tradition.

David: That's even better! I really want to Gain an appreciation for the authentic methods.

Ms. Sofia Rossi: You certainly will. By the end of the class, you'll have a new appreciation for what goes into a simple plate of pasta.

David: I'm excited to Immerse myself in this. Thank you for being so welcoming to a Novice.

Ms. Sofia Rossi: My pleasure! Let's get you an apron and we can begin.

Let's Talk About It:

After you read, talk about this:

How did Ms. Rossi reassure David about being a Novice?
What made Ms. Rossi an Artisan of pasta-making?

Activity 5: Let's Practice - Recounting a New Skill ✍️

Help Maria (Traveler) complete her part of a conversation with her friend, Ben, about a class she took. Use words and phrases from Activity 2!

Ben: Maria, what was that amazing weaving class you took on your trip?

Maria (Traveler): Oh, it was incredible! I learned from a true who has been weaving for 40 years. I was a complete , but she was so patient.

Ben: So you actually got to make something?

Maria (Traveler): Yes, it was a very . She taught me a special for creating a complex pattern.

Ben: That must have been difficult!

Maria (Traveler): It was, but it was the best way to the local craft. It made me the skill and artistry involved.

Ben: It sounds much better than just buying a souvenir.

Maria (Traveler): Exactly! It was a connection to the culture.

Show Answers! (Activity 5) ✨