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What Are Social and Cultural Skills?

1/30/2015

So, a few weeks ago we published a chart which describes the four main skills that language students need to develop in order to master a language. Hopefully, this graphic reminds you that grammar is only part of the equation and that it is important not to overlook other elements of communication.

In this post, I want to focus on one of those other elements. Namely, let’s talk about social and cultural skills.

What are “social and cultural skills”?

To help explain, I would like to offer a few examples.

Switching to more formal language when speaking with your boss
Using a stronger tone when you are placing a complaint
Addressing a professional by using their title and last name (for example, Dr. Johnson, Ms Gomez)

If you guessed that social and cultural language skills are related to tone, politeness, and formality, you would be right. Essentially, social and cultural skills (or sociolinguistic skills) help you act appropriately in different situations, with different people. They can be tricky because they are so intertwined with culture. Our culture guides us on how to ask for favors, set limits, and resolve conflict. Our culture also gives us a framework for how to speak with people of different ages, genders, and positions.

Hopefully, this helps you understand social and cultural skills. Are there any other examples you can think of? Share them in the comment section.

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Restaurant Scenario Answers

1/27/2015

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Did you come up with some responses to yesterday’'s scenarios? My suggested answers are in italics.

You have just ordered a wonderful entree, but you don’t know what to drink with it. You want to ask for the server’s recommendation.

What wine pairing would you recommend? or What would you recommend to drink with that? I tend to like red wine/white wine.

You are allergic to nuts. You need to explain this problem to the server and find out what dishes you can eat.

I have a nut allergy. What is safe for me to eat?

Your waiter or waitress forgot your drink. You need to remind him/her about your order.

I'm sorry to bother you. Could you check on my drink when you get a chance?

You are ready for the check. You need to call the waiter or waitress.

Don't call them or beckon them with your hand. Just make eye contact and wait for them to approach your table. Then you can say, "Could I have the check, please?"

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What Would You Say? Restaurant Scenarios

1/26/2015

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Keeping in mind what you have learned about polite structures and social/cultural language skills, create a response for the following situations in a restaurant. Write down what you would say and your reason for responding that way.

You have just ordered a wonderful entree, but you don’t know what to drink with it. You want to ask for the server’s recommendation.

You are allergic to nuts. You need to explain this problem to the server and find out what dishes you can eat.

Your waiter or waitress forgot your drink. You need to remind him/her about your order.

You are ready for the check. You need to call the waiter or waitress.

You can share your answers in the comment section. Check back tomorrow for my answers.

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How Often Do You Study English?

1/16/2015

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What kind of student are you? How often do you study English? Share your study habits in the poll below to see how you measure up.

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What Are Social and Cultural Skills?

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What Would You Say? Restaurant Scenarios

How Often Do You Study English?

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