Customs and traditions include a wide range of practises from weddings to how you greet people, to food and how you eat it, to being host or being a guest; countries, societies, tribes and families are rich in customs and traditions.
Below is some useful language that during the club session you might want to introduce, share, check or reference during the session.
Customs: practises followed by many people in a society or culture.
Traditions: customs that have been passed down by previous generations.
Superstitions: long held beliefs that are rooted in coincidence or cultural tradition.
Make sure you’re in the meeting space 10-15 mins before the club starts. Depending on your registration process make sure you’ve a register either to tick people’s names off or for people to add their names too. Also, make sure the suggestion box is visible for members to see and access.
Greet members as they enter, invite them to sit/stand wherever they are comfortable.
Start the club at the advertised time:
I. Use English – don’t correct anyone’s English
II. Be respectful and supportive. You may have different levels of understanding and abilities to contribute to the discussions.
III. Everyone has the right to an opinion.
IV. Make sure everyone in your group has an opportunity to talk / ask questions. Max 3 mins per person per question.
V. All mobile phones off or put on silent.
3. Ask members if they have any questions.
4. Ask members if they are ready to start.
Guess where?
1. Put members in pairs.
2. Tell members you will read three customs from around the world and they need to guess the country where they think that custom comes from.
a. In this country, it is considered taboo to write someone’s name in red because in the past red ink was used to write down the names of dead people. Answer: South Korea
b. In this country brides cry for about a month, which is considered part of the wedding preparations. Answer: China
c. In this country, just before couples get married, their families and close friends meet for an informal event. All guests are asked to break things such as plates, bowls and flower vases, anything except glasses. When the room is really messy, the couple has to clear up the broken things. This tradition is done to show the couple the significance of being united and of the hard work involved in marriage. Answer: Germany.
3. Ask members which custom surprised them most.
Below are some questions, you don’t have to do all of them, let the club members guide you, if they are enjoying discussing one of the question rounds let it run beyond the 17 minutes.
1. Put members into groups of 5-6 using different custom areas: ceremonies, festivals, fashion, food, traditions etc.
2. Tell each group to introduce themselves to each other.
3. Show / give each group the first question: What are your favourite traditional Sudanese customs? Why?
4. Give support where needed. Encourage turn-taking / asking questions.
5. If members answer the question very quickly get them to discuss: What are some of the most important customs in Sudan? Which of the customs we follow today do you think will look strange to the next generation?
6. After 17 mins facilitate feedback. Invite members to share something from their group discussions.
1. Put members into groups of 5-6 using different Sudanese clothing customs (jalabiya, toab, immah etc.)
2. Tell each group to introduce themselves to each other.
3. Show / give each group the second question: Do our customs and traditions make us better people? Why/why not?
4. Monitor, give support where needed. Encourage turn-taking / asking questions.
5. If members answer the question very quickly get them to discuss: Which customs in Sudan, do you think should be changed or not happen anymore?; Who is responsible for our customs and why?
5. After 17 mins facilitate feedback. Invite members to share which customs make us better people.
1. Put members into groups of 5-6 using different food and beverage customs (Shai, Karkade, Helamour, White Abre etc.)
2. Tell each group to introduce themselves to each other.
3. Show / give each group the third question: People, who go to live in other countries, should follow the customs and traditions of the new country: do you agree or disagree (why?)
4. Monitor, give support where needed. Encourage turn-taking / asking questions.
5. If members answer the question very quickly get them to discuss: What are some foreign customs that you have heard of?; Are there any customs in your country you think visitors might find strange?
6. After 17 mins facilitate feedback. Invite members to share any foreign customs they have heard of.
1. Ask members how their meeting went.
2. Ask members if the club met their expectations.
3. Tell members there’s a suggestion box (point to it) where they can share topic ideas or activities we could do.
4. Tell members when the next club is and what the theme/topic is. Encourage them to come / bring a colleague etc.
5. Thank everyone for coming.
If the members enjoyed the club session you could share the following resources with them either on Facebook or in the English Club WhatsApp group: