talking about STEREOTYPES

It's been a considerably long time since I shared anything with you. But I'm back with new ideas. This time it's a conversation lesson on STEREOTYPES. Well, I've managed to sneak a little grammar in it as well by introducing an alternative to strong statements typical of expressing STEREOTYPES. Hope you'll enjoy it.

WARM-UP

A STEREOTYPE is a generalized view or popular belief on a particular group of people, usually inaccurate and sometimes offensive.

Look at the statements below. How accurate do you think these stereotypes are?

1. Italian people eat pasta on a daily basis.
2. Germans are hard working and never complain.
3. The French are the most romantic people. 
4. Americans are fat because they love fast food and never exercise.

Explain that the language used in the statements above is rather offensive and too general. Instead of putting those opinions like the above we may use a "softer" version.

Italian people TEND TO eat pasta on a daily basis. 

(Many Italians eat pasta on a daily basis but not all of them.)

Germans TEND TO be hard working and never complain. 

(While some Germans are hard working and never complain, many are lazy and grumpy.)

The French HAVE A TENDENCY to be very romantic. 

(Some French are romantic but some are not.)

Americans HAVE A TENDENCY to be fat because they love fast food and never exercise. 

(It's not true that all Americans are fat, love fast food and never exercise. Many are fit and lead a healthy lifestyle.)

GRAMMAR PRACTICE/SPEAKING
Give your opinion on the nationalities below using TEND TO or HAVE A TENDENCY. Remember about the grammar rule about them.

• TEND TO + V1
• HAVE A TENDENCY + V1

Russians * Thais * Arabs * Americans * the Chinese

SPEAKING

Stereotypes are not only about nationality but also about race, gender, age or religion. 

Watch the slideshow and and finish the sentences expression your views. Justify your choice.