Submitted by: Erin B, Zunyi (Guizhou)
Materials Needed: Download Taboo game cards, case scenarios
Duration: 2 class periods (90 minutes each)

Lesson Objectives:
1. SWBAT comprehend the term “taboo” and apply the concept to a discussion of Western theory and practice.
2. SWBAT recognize the vocabulary words and describe those words to his/her peers in order to achieve mutual understanding.
3. SWBAT reflect upon the various taboos both in Western culture and in their own.

Warm up – Class discussion—10 minutes

What is a taboo? What are examples of taboo behaviors in Chinese culture…American culture? What are the different behaviors/styles of dress/language to apply in ______ setting (e.g. funeral, wedding, birthday party, club, job interview, as a guest in someone’s home, in your own bedroom, etc.)? Discuss the difference between taboo and illegal.

Introduction—5-7 minutes

Introduce lesson objectives and explain the game Taboo to students, including rules and the game’s object (get your team members to guess the word at the top without saying that word or any of the words on the card). Do two examples of the game for demonstration purposes and clarify any questions. Divide students into groups.

Activity—30-40 minutes

Play Taboo in groups of 6-8 students.

Presentation—15-20 minutes

Students return to their original seats and the class discusses any questionable vocabulary. Present case scenarios to the class and “Name that Taboo” as a class (identify any inappropriate behaviors according to various cultures and suggest alternative appropriate behaviors). The class will discuss how a situation would differ depending on the culture in which it occurs.

Practice—20 minutes

Students divide into pairs and write their own role play that exemplifies either avoiding a cultural taboo or acting out a taboo. They have 20 minutes to write this role play, which will they perform the next class day.

Reflection—10 minutes

Students will write personal reflections in their journals, including any questions they may have regarding taboos, as well as opinions about taboos in the West.

Class two

Lesson Objectives:
1. SWBAT comprehend the term “taboo” and apply the concept to a discussion of Western theory and practice.
2. SWBAT recognize the vocabulary words and describe those words to his/her peers in order to achieve mutual understanding.
3. SWBAT reflect upon the various taboos both in Western culture and in their own.
4. SWBAT create practical and relevant interview questions based on their understanding of the taboo concept.

Warm-Up: 30 minutes

Students will act out the role plays created during last period and students will discuss these as examples of either appropriate or taboo behavior.

Activity: 20 minutes

Students work in pairs and are given at least one example of a potential taboo. They discuss this behavior and write the behavior on the board in the Venn diagram under either: China, U.S., or both. The class will discuss each of these after each pair is done.

Extension activity:

Students will interview two people in their community about what behaviors they believe to be taboo. The two interviewees must be different in some way (e.g. one old and one young, one student and one worker, etc) in order to provide two different perspectives. Students will bring their responses back for class discussion. Students will use class time to discuss interview protocol and begin writing their interview questions. The interviews will be due the next class period or in three days, whichever is longer.

Taboo Examples for Review

Burping

Kissing for a long time in public

Cutting in line

Pushing while in a crowd

Littering

Being loud in public

Picking your nose

Spitting

Commenting on someone’s appearance

Cheating

Failing to discipline children while in public

Grooming in public (e.g. putting on makeup)

Sitting while an elderly person or pregnant woman stands

Insulting someone

Asking someone why he/she is not married

Asking why a person does not have children