| Level | Topic | Speakers | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intermediate | Bathhouse | Man – Man | 01:38 |
NOTE: The story describes the very old-style baths that are often not seen today.
Pre-Listening Exercise
Name two customs or traditions visitors to your country may have difficulty adjusting to. As part of this discussion, talk about any points that visitors should be aware of when staying as a guest at a home in your country.
Idioms
“take a bath” = literally, bathe in a bathtub
“I had a long day, so I took a bath.”
Listening Exercise
Listen to the recording and answer the questions. (See transcript)
Vocabulary and Sample Sentences
Here are some words and expressions that appear in the recording:
- platform (noun): a raised area where you can sit
– The members of the local government were sitting on a platform overlooking the audience. - clear (adjective): not blocked or covered
– Once the table is clear of dishes, we will start the game. - patron (noun): customer or visitor
– Patrons are asked not to eat or drink in the art gallery. - belongings (noun): possessions
– Please do not leave your belongings unattended while in the amusement park. - stool (noun): a small chair often made of wood or plastic
– The young boy sat on a stool as he shined my shoes. - rinse (off) (phrasal verb): remove soap or dirt from something using water
– Please rinse off before you get in the swimming pool. - soak (soak): leave something in water or other liquid for a period of time
– I enjoy soaking in the tub to relax and forget about the worries of the day. - socialize (verb): to talk to or associate with others in a friendly manner
– I’m having a pool party this weekend as a way of socializing with some new neighbors.
Vocabulary Practice
Do the vocabulary quizzes with the words from the conversation for more practice:
Post-Listening Exercise
Discuss the topics below with a partner:
- three aspects of your culture that may require foreigners to get used to
- an experience in visiting a foreign country where you had difficulty with the language or culture.
Online Investigation
Use the internet to learn about a unique cultural tradition of one of these countries, or a country that interests you:
- Cheese chasing in England
- The water festival in Thailand
- Wife-carrying tournament in Finland
- Groundhog Day in the United States
- Throwing baby teeth on the roof in some countries
- La Tomatina in Spain
- The Haka in New Zealand