August 13, 2025

Listening practice: How it sounds when Americans reduce and link words in fast speech. 1. Let me give you some examples. [lemmee•giv•yoo•sum•egzamplz] 2. in a coffee shop [inna•kawfee•shop] 3. having a cup of Italian espresso [havinna•kuppa•italyun•nuspresso] 4. served by an Algerian [survd•baiyun•naljeereeyun] 5. playing in the background. [playunnin•th’bakground] 6. I'm walking down a street [aim•wokkin•downna•street] 7. I'm listening to the music of a band. [aim•lissanun•tuh•th’myoozik•uvvuh•band] 8. sell them in another. [sellum•innuh•nuhther] 9. on a different continent. [onnuh•diffrint•kontinunt] 10. brought us closer together. [broddus•kloser•tuhgether] 11. Internet [innernet] 12. can connect us all [kn•kunnecdus•all] 13. More than a fifth of all the people [more•thanna•fifthuv•allthuh•peepl] 14. speak some English. [speek•s'meenglish] 15. But I have a more positive view. [buddai•yavva•more•positive•vyoo] 16. We've got an American box. [weev•goddunna•merikun•boks]

Vocabulary check for the article “A World Together” C1 Vocabulary 1.globalization- The process by which businesses, cultures, and societies become connected and influence each other across the world. Globalization has made it easier for people to share ideas instantly across borders. 2.worldwide- Existing or happening in all parts of the world. The singer’s new album became a worldwide success. continent One of the large land masses of the Earth (e.g., Africa, Asia, Europe). She has visited every continent except Antarctica. 3.enquiries- (British spelling of inquiries) Questions or requests for information. We received hundreds of enquiries about the new product launch. 4.nowadays- At the present time, compared to the past. Nowadays, many people prefer online shopping to visiting physical stores. 5.positive view- An optimistic or favorable opinion about something. She has a positive view of change and embraces new challenges. 6.identity- the characteristics, culture, or personality that make a person or group unique. Cultural identity can be preserved even in a globalized world. 8.values -Principles or standards of behavior that are considered important in a culture or society. The organization promotes values such as honesty and teamwork. 9.traditions Customs or beliefs that are passed down through generations. Family traditions often bring people closer together.

"Food Truck Friday" is a fun tradition in many US cities. On Friday evenings, food trucks will gather at a town park for people to come and enjoy. The trucks can visit different cities each Friday. So each Fridaythere are usually different trucks. It has a lot to do with globalization, because it shows how cultures (especially food cultures) mix and travel across borders. Here’s how: 1. International Foods in One Place At Food Truck Friday, you might see a Korean BBQ taco truck next to an Italian gelato truck, a Mexican street food truck, and maybe even a truck selling Indian curries. That’s globalization: foods from different countries are available in one city, side by side. 2. Local + Global Mix Many food trucks combine flavors from different countries — like sushi burritos or Thai pizza. These “fusion foods” are only possible because globalization allows ingredients, recipes, and cooking ideas to travel. 3. Cultural Experience Even if you can’t travel to another country, food trucks let you taste and experience a little piece of another culture right in your hometown. 4. Business Globalization Just like companies, food trucks show how business spreads across borders. Ingredients might come from one country, recipes from another, and the chef could be from a third country — but they all meet in your city. 👉 So, Food Truck Friday is a local example of cultural globalization in everyday life — especially through food.

Idioms / Expressions in the article 1.“the latest in-thing”- Something that is very fashionable or popular at the moment. Virtual reality gaming is the latest in-thing among teenagers. 2.“here to stay”- Something that is permanent and will not go away. Electric cars are here to stay as the world moves toward green energy. 3."brought us closer together" Made people feel more connected to each other. Travel and cultural exchange have brought us closer together as a global community. 4.“as it happens” -While it is occurring, in real time. You can watch breaking news as it happens on live TV. 5.“cultural attack” -The idea that a dominant culture is threatening or replacing another culture. Some small communities feel they are experiencing a cultural attack from mass media.

C1 Article: A World Together BY ERLA ZWINGLE We are in the middle of worldwide changes in culture. Popular culture is crossing from one country to another in ways we have never seen before. Let me give you some examples. One day, I'm sitting in a coffee shop in London having a cup of Italian espresso served by an Algerian waiter, listening to American music playing in the background. A few days later, I'm walking down a street in Mexico - I'm eating Japanese food and listening to the music of a Filipino band. In Japan, many people love Spanish flamenco dancing. Meanwhile, in Europe, Japanese food is the latest in-thing. European girls decorate their hands with henna tattoos. It's the globalization of culture. This globalization of culture follows on from the globalization of business. Modern industry now has a worldwide market. Businesses make their products in one country and sell them in another. Companies employ people on one continent to answer telephone enquiries from customers on a different continent. It's true that buying and selling goods in different countries is not new. But nowadays, everything happens faster and travels further. In the past, there were camel trains, ships and railways. Then planes, telephones and television brought us closer together.

Television had fifty million users after thirteen years, but the internet had the same number after only five years. Today the internet can connect us all in real time as together we watch the same news story as it happens, anywhere in the world. How do people feel about globalization? It depends on where they live and how much money they have. Not everyone is happy about globalization. More than a fifth of all the people in the world now speak some English. Some people believe that there is a kind of 'cultural attack' from the English language, social media, and McDonald's and Starbucks. But I have a more positive view. I think that cultures are strong and countries don't need to lose their national identity. In India, there are more than four hundred languages and several different religions - and McDonald's serves mutton instead of beef and offers a vegetarian menu. In Shanghai, the television show Sesame Street teaches Chinese values and traditions. As one Chinese teacher said, 'We've got an American box with Chinese content in it.' But there is one thing that is certain - globalization is here to stay. And if that means we'll understand each other better, that's a good thing.

What international foods can you buy where you live? What are some international foods you enjoy eating? How is your culture affected by speaking English? Do you think your national identity will stay strong even though many people are learning English?

Food truck Friday is a fun tradition in the United States. Many cities will have different food trucks each Friday gathered at a central place in the city for people to come and enjoy. The food trucks visit different cities each week. Food trucks are a good example of cultural globalization which we learned about last time. 🌍🚚 Food Truck Friday has a lot to do with globalization, because it shows how cultures (especially food cultures) mix and travel across borders. Here’s how:

1. International Foods in One Place At Food Truck Friday, you might see a Korean BBQ taco truck next to an Italian gelato truck, a Mexican street food truck, and maybe even a truck selling Indian curries. That’s globalization: foods from different countries are available in one city, side by side. 2. Local + Global Mix Many food trucks combine flavors from different countries — like sushi burritos or Thai pizza. These “fusion foods” are only possible because globalization allows ingredients, recipes, and cooking ideas to travel.

3. Cultural Experience Even if you can’t travel to another country, food trucks let you taste and experience a little piece of another culture right in your hometown. 4. Business Globalization Just like companies, food trucks show how business spreads across borders. Ingredients might come from one country, recipes from another, and the chef could be from a third country — but they all meet in your city.