Use the discussion questions, vocabulary and video for an engaging advanced conversation lesson.

*Note: The video contains English-speaking and Mandarin-speaking with English subtitles, so this lesson won’t be good listening practice for Mandarin-speaking students, although it can still generate interesting vocabulary and discussions.

Describe the picture in as much detail as possible. (5 minutes)

Answer the question about the picture. (5 minutes)

The person is burning incense. What are some reasons that people might burn incense?

Introduction Questions (5 minutes)

We are going to watch a video about “feeding the dead.”

What do you think “feeding the dead” means? Why?

Vocabulary (5-10 minutes)

Match the vocabulary words with the definitions. (Answers at the bottom of the page.)

Watch the video (6 minutes)

Comprehension Questions (10 minutes)

Answer the questions. If you need to watch parts of the video again, you can. Answers are the bottom of the page.

1. What are some of the common religions in Taiwan?
2. What are some things that Taiwanese people give to their dead ancestors? 
3. Where do markets in Taiwan usually start? 
4. Where do some Taiwanese people keep their dead? 
5. How do people know what food to give their ancestors?
6. How do Taiwanese people learn traditions?
7. What is an example of a bad omen in the video? 
8. Why is making food for the dead less popular among young Taiwanese? 
9. Why does the man in the video think a connection to the earth is important for worshiping gods? 
10. Why do they burn incense in the video? 

Discussion Questions (15-20 minutes)

1. What do you think about the Taiwanese tradition of feeding the dead? Why?
2. Does your country/culture have any similar traditions? If yes, what are they?
3. Are there any special foods for ancestors or deities in your culture? If yes, what are they?
4. In Taiwan, after a certain time, the food that has been left for the dead is then distributed to the needy or is shared by the people who manage the temples. Does your area have any programs in place for people in need of food? If yes, what are they? Do you think these programs can be improved? Why or why not?
5. Does your country have any holidays that celebrate the dead? If yes, what are they?
6. Why do you think young people don’t participate in traditions as much as old people?
7. Do you think young people have a duty to keep traditions alive? Why or why not?
8. Was it easier for people to hold to traditions in the past? Why or why not?
9. In the video, the grandmother implies that traditions are learned through observation, not direct teaching. Do you agree or disagree with this opinion? Why or why not?
10. What traditions in your area were more common in the past, but are losing popularity as time goes on? Why do you think these traditions are changing?
11. Are there any relatively new traditions in your culture? If yes, what are they?
12. Markets are popular in Taiwan. Are markets popular in your area? If yes, what do they typically sell?

Answers

Vocabulary Answers:

1. e, 2. h, 3. g, 4. i, 5. d, 6. c, 7. a, 8. b, 9. f, 10. d

Comprehension Questions Answers:

1. Buddhism, Taoism, Chinese mythology, indigenous faiths
2. money and food
3. at a temple
4. in urns in a temple
5. It’s the food they liked in life.
6. by observing their elders
7. The grandmother thinks that if the glutinous rice crumbles in the heat, then that is a bad omen.
8. Because these traditional foods are not beautiful and the equipment is not trendy.
9. Because without a strong connection to the land, young people are just imitating worship.
10. to pray

I hope your students enjoyed that advanced conversation and video lesson. Are you looking for more advanced lessons? Try Advanced Conversation – Underground Apartments – Video – 1 hour.