talking about STEREOTYPES (again...)

I found the subject of STEREOTYPES not only appealing but also useful for practicing various structures. In the previous lesson concerning this topic I aimed at introducing TEND TO or HAVE A TENDENCY as alternative to unfair and rather harmful straight ahead language in opinion giving, such as "Americans love guns." which I altered with "Americans tend to love guns." This time I decided to focus on STEREOTYPES about my students' nationality (obviously I had my doubts about their reaction but they were more than happy to discuss their own vices and virtues) and a fixed phrase JUST BECAUSE... DOESN'T MEAN THAT... Enjoy.

GRAMMAR

Explain the way we use the expression JUST BECAUSE... DOESN'T MEAN THAT...

Although [A] happened, [B] will not necessarily happen as a result.

• JUST BECAUSE you study hard DOESN’T MEAN THAT you will pass the test.
• JUST BECAUSE we lost this match DOESN’T MEAN THAT we’ll lose the next one.
• JUST BECAUSE I was late yesterday DOESN’T MEAN THAT I'll be late tomorrow.

[A] is true, but [B] is not necessarily true as a result.

• JUST BECAUSE your mother is angry at you DOESN’T MEAN THAT she doesn’t love you.
• JUST BECAUSE I'm a girl DOESN’T MEAN THAT I'm sentimental.
• JUST BECAUSE it’s Saturday DOESN’T MEAN THAT you have to sleep late.

 We may also add NECESSARILY to the sentence.

JUST BECAUSE you think you are a good worker DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN THAT you should be paid more.

GRAMMAR PRACTICE
Change these sentences to JUST BECAUSE... DOESN'T MEAN THAT... (the first one is done for you).

1. Evan had a steak for lunch, but he might not be full.
Just because Evan had a steak for lunch doesn’t mean that he’s full.

2. I didn’t answer my cell phone, but this doesn’t mean that I didn’t want to talk to you.
3. You should quit smoking even if you’re healthy.
4. You think you’re smart but some people may think otherwise.
5. He’s not a criminal even though he’s black and wears a hoodie and baggy jeans.
6. My room may be dirty but I am in fact an organized person.

SPEAKING PRACTICE

Each student receives a sentence representing one of stereotypes others may have about his/her country. The students are to decide if they are true or false, and justify their answer.

My students are Turkish so I've searched the Internet for stereotypes about Turkey. Here's a sample list.

• Turkish people have big families.
• Every Turkish woman wears a headscarf.
• Turkish people all have got black hair and dark skin.
• They buy only Mercedes or BMW.
• Turkey is a strict Muslim country with Islamic law.
• Turkish people are uneducated.
• Men are dominant, women have to listen to their husbands and stay at home.
• Turkish men are lazy.
• Turkish men are allowed  to have many wives.
• The country is unsafe.
• Everyone wears a fez and has a moustache.

VIDEO
The students watch a short video on their motherland and discuss what they've learnt from it. they are free to use the freshly learnt expression JUST BECAUSE... DOESN'T MEAN THAT...

Turkey in 2 minutes