41. Describe an interesting thing you have learned from a foreign culture

41. Describe an interesting thing you have learned from a foreign culture

You should say:

What is it?

How do you learn it?

Why did you learn it?

And Explain how you think it will help others.

 

 

Model Answer 1:

 

Every culture is unique in its own right, yet it is normal for people to follow other cultures in order to pick up new skills.

Here, I would like to talk about an interesting thing that I learned from a western culture.

 

 

What is it:

Even though this culture is not popular in my nation or other developing or underdeveloped nations, I must admit that the fact that children learn to be independent at an early age greatly surprises me.

 

 

How did you learn it, and Why did you learn it:

The truth is that children develop their independence quite early in western cultures, especially in European countries.

For instance, in their teenage years, they begin working as waiters in restaurants or in other service-related occupations, and I must say that this is very important because, at this very young age, they learn the value of money and understand how difficult it is to earn, so of course, they also use it carefully.

In contrast, children in my nation are completely reliant on their parents for financial support. not just until they are of school age but even later.

For instance, the majority of children who attend college or university receive financial support from their parents. They frequently develop a spending habit as a result of their lack of understanding of the true value of money.

When compared to their counterparts in the west, Indian students typically don't become independent until they have a job, finish their college or university education, and are approximately 22 or 23 years old. 

One of the factors contributing to the low level of confidence among young people in the nation compared to western nations is a long-running reliance on parents.

 

 

How you think it will help others:

Since times have changed significantly and technology has greatly increased opportunities for youth, I think that this is something that the youth in my country should definitely learn from the west and get involved in so that they too can become self-sufficient or self-reliant at a young age.

So, all in all, that is an interesting thing that I have learned from the western culture.

Model Answer 2:

Every single culture has a unique identity. People from many nations follow various customs, traditions, and rituals. People in the West are very different from people throughout the world in many ways. India's culture is well known throughout the world due to its many different aspects, including its festivals, languages, and clothing.

Here, I would like to talk about an interesting thing that I learned from Japanese culture.

 

 

What is it: 

Japan is an ideal country where everyone is always on time. They follow this passion passionately; they never waste anything; and they have a deep respect for both time and food. They stand out and are unique among others because of this.

 

How do you learn it:

I once traveled to Japan and learned a lot of interesting facts about this lovely island nation. Professionalism and punctuality are very high here. They clearly value time, as I have seen. There is no delay at all. Being late is only another excuse that people in India have. They ordered a small amount of food at the restaurant and wasted none of it. I'm surprised and overjoyed to witness such polite behavior.

 

 

Why did you learn it:

I enjoyed it as I viewed it. I decided to never be late in my life because I believe that individuals lack a very important ethical trait: respect for time. We should spend our time purposefully if we want to be as productive as possible. Additionally, there are a lot of hungry people in the world, so food shouldn't be wasted.

 

   

How you think it will help others:

Any nation may transform, and life can become beautiful, if people begin to practice these two principles. People will work harder, and food will be available everywhere. As a result, life will become more disciplined, and the wasted time will be put to productive use by learning and working.

So, all in all, that is an interesting thing that I have learned from Japanese culture.

Follow-up Questions

 

Here are some examples of follow-up questions that the examiner can ask you during your speaking part 3 related to the cue card: "Describe an interesting thing you have learned from a foreign culture."

 

 

1. How do you learn about celebrations that are related to your culture?

Our parents and grandparents teach us about celebrations. Attending family events is another way we find out more about them. By viewing daily soaps, we can learn from the media as well. We also learn through activities at school and in college.

 

 

2. What do you think are common celebrations all over the world?

Around the world, people celebrate a variety of holidays. For instance, New Year's Eve, Christmas, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, and many more

 

3. Do you think we should follow our culture and traditions, and why?

Definitely, yes. Following our culture and traditions helps us stay connected to our roots. Only if we are aware of it can we pass on our rich culture to the next generation. Every culture, in my opinion, has certain positive aspects that should be maintained.

 

4. How do you react to spending a lot of money on celebrations? 

I consider it to be a complete waste of money. For instance, burning crackers as is customary on Diwali is fine, but paying exorbitant rates for them is not. Giving gifts is also OK occasionally, but spending a lot of money on gifts just to impress others is not.

5. Is it important to preserve our culture? 

Absolutely, yes. Since our culture is what gives our country its identity, it is crucial to maintain it. In order to maintain our culture, we must observe our festivals, rituals, and customs. In order for things to go on for a very long time and for us to maintain our identity, it is our responsibility to pass on our culture to the next generation.

 

 

6. What is the biggest difference between your culture and Western culture? 

Actually, I'm not sure how exactly my culture and Western culture differ from one another. Both cultures have unique identities and customs, but my culture is so closely connected and full of festivals that our mixed families are extremely bonded, and we have a set of rules to follow. Western culture, on the other hand, is also quite rich in its own way; it has greater freedom of expression and a higher level of professionalism.