Topic: Emotions and States of Being
Mode: Interpersonal/Presentational
Level: Intermediate
Students will reflect on the symbols of and /or metaphors for different emotions in their home culture, learn about symbols/metaphors in the target culture, and compare the two.
Components of the activity
A whiteboard/chalkboard, a worksheet with symbols representing various emotions of the target culture
Instructions to the teacher
This lesson will begin with brainstorming, move into small group work, and then return to the main group for discussion. In advance, collect pictures that represent the symbols, metaphors, and colors that stand for different emotions of the target culture and create a worksheet. Provide instructions to students depending on the lesson format (e.g., online or in-person) or give a model.
Procedure
- Write the following emotions on the board: Love, Envy, Anger, Sadness, Grief, Happiness, Fear. As a class, brainstorm symbols metaphors, and colors that are associated with these emotions in the home culture.
- Separate students into small groups and distribute worksheets. Students will work together to guess what emotion the different symbols/metaphors might represent.
- As a class, check their answers. Students should return to their small groups and write several sentences comparing and contrasting the symbols in the different cultures. Return to the full group to present the sentences.
- Return to small groups and write sentences using the metaphors or symbols in context, e.g. “I’m feeling so blue because my girlfriend broke up with me.” In the full group, share sentences.