UNIT 8 Have you packed yet?
He's already visited the place where his
ancestors lived.
Section 1 Before You Read
PAIRWORK
1a Discuss your answers to these questions.
1.Do you,or someone you know,have family members
who live outside China?
2.Have you ever talked about your ancestors
with your family?
3.Do you think "ancestors" are important?
1b Tell your partner what you know about your family roots.
Section 2 While You Read
Learning strategy:
HAVING A POSITIVE ATTITUDE
You will only succeed if you think you can.
In everything you do,think only that the
mistakes you make are necessary for you to learn and understand.
He's already visited the place where his ancestors lived.
Have you been back to the place where your
ancestors lived,worked,studied and palyed?
Robert Qian,a Chinese Canadian,already has.
Now in China,he has found that his family
is like a tall tree with long roots.
Robert is just one young overseas Chinese
who has come to visit his ancestors'homeland,
as part of the In Search of Roots summer camp program.
The program is organized by the local government
of Guangdong Province.
This program started in 1980,
and so far has brought thousands of overseas
Chinese students to China
to look of their families' roots.
The young people are usually between 16 and 25 years old.
Most,like Robert,can hardly speak any Chinese
and have never been to China before.
The students mainly visit parts of Guangdong
Province in southern China.
During the two-week camp,they study Chinese
culture,see changes that have happened
in that area,and visit interesting sights.
Going to their ancestors' village is often the
most exciting part of the trip.
the students feel that they are part of the
village,and experience village life.
They drink from the village well,
go for walks through the countryside,
and match the villagers do their daily activities.
Cathy Qin,a young American students,
had this to say,"Thanks to In Search of Roots,
I am beginning to understand my Chinese roots and who I am.
It has been a great trip,and I have so many
memories of China to take with me."
The program leaders believe strongly in the
program and say that the purpose of it is to
give young overseas Chinese the chance to learn more about themselves.
"I've really enjoyed the trip so far," says Robert.
"This has been a big step for me,and I'm looking
forward to finding out more about my roots during my time here."
Section 3 After You Read
3a There is one mistake in each sentence that
makes the meaning incorrect.
Correct the sentences according to the reading.
3b Number the sentences (1-8) in the correct
order according to the reading.
3c Suppose two overseas Chinese students have come to your town.
Write a report that includes the following
information:
1.what you have already shown them and why
2.what important things you haven't shown them yet.
3d Exchange writings with a partner.
Give each other positive ideas on how to improve
what you have written.
Section 4 Go For It!
Draw you family tree.Present it to your group.
Tell them what you know and say if you have
ever visited the home of your ancestors.
Share your experiences.
If you have time!
Imagine you are Robert Qian or Cathy Qin.
After returning from China,you write a report
for the "In Search of Roots" website.
Describe what you did in China and how visiting
China has affected you.