Are you looking for English texts to read? Do you want to learn English while exploring the world? This article in plain English is ideal for you. Let’s dive into world cultures today, including what culture is, why it matters, and how learning about other cultures can help you become a better English speaker.
What Is Culture?
A group of people’s culture is everything that sets them apart. Every nation or society has its own culture. Culture consists of:
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Language – how people communicate
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Food – what they eat and how they cook
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Clothing – what they wear and why
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Traditions – what they celebrate and how
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Values – what they believe is right or wrong
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Art and Music – how they express beauty and feelings
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Family and Social Rules – how people live and treat each other
A society’s culture is a vital component. Studying various cultures is also a fantastic way to learn new words and practice reading English texts.
Why Is It Important to Learn About Cultures?
It makes us respectful
You realize that people are not all the same when you study other cultures. Each culture is unique and valuable in its own right. This instills kindness and respect.
It makes traveling better
When you travel to another country, being aware of their culture makes it easier to act appropriately, make friends, and have a better time.
It makes us smarter
Reading about other cultures helps you learn more about languages, geography, and history. It strengthens your brain as you learn English.
It fosters peace
Misunderstandings lead to a lot of issues. Understanding other cultures promotes harmony. You realize that love, kindness, and hope are universal among people.
Instances of Global Cultures
You can read about the following fascinating cultures:
🇯🇵 Japanese Culture
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People value respect, harmony, and quiet.
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They greet with bows and take off shoes before entering homes.
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Sushi, ramen, and tea ceremonies are part of daily life.
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Festivals like the Cherry Blossom Festival are very important.
🇧🇷 Brazilian Culture
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Football (soccer), dance, and music are all well-known in Brazil.
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People enjoy Carnival, samba, and colorful festivals.
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Family is very important.
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Brazilian food is delicious and diverse.
🇮🇳 Indian Culture
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India has many languages, religions, and traditions.
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People celebrate Diwali (Festival of Lights) and Holi (Festival of Colors).
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Food is spicy and full of flavor.
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Yoga and meditation are gifts from Indian culture.
🇫🇷 French Culture
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France is famous for fashion, art, and food.
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People enjoy fresh bread, cheese, and long conversations.
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French culture values beauty, creativity, and love for life.
🇿🇦 South African Culture
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South Africa is called the “Rainbow Nation” because of its many cultures.
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People like dancing, music, and vibrant clothing, and they speak a variety of languages.
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Traditions are rich with history and unity.
Methods for Studying Cultures
Another enjoyable way to practice English is to learn about different cultures. You don’t have to go very far. Here are a few easy methods:
| Way to Learn | How It Helps |
|---|---|
| Read English texts | Learn about traditions, food, and languages |
| Watch movies in English | See daily life and hear native language |
| Try international foods | Taste different cultures |
| Use the internet | Find websites, videos, and online texts to read |
| Talk to people | Make friends and practice English |
| Go to cultural events | Enjoy music, art, and food from other cultures |
Respect and Avoid Stereotypes
When learning about cultures, keep in mind:
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Be polite when asking questions.
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Do not laugh at traditions.
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Avoid stereotypes (wrong ideas about groups of people).
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Stay open-minded and curious.
The secret to learning is always respect.
Interesting Cultural Information
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In Thailand, people greet with a “wai” — a bow with hands together.
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In Ethiopia, families eat together using their hands from the same plate.
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In South Korea, it is polite to pour drinks for older people.
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In Mexico, Day of the Dead is a happy celebration to remember family.
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In Finland, people enjoy saunas as part of daily life.
You can learn a few interesting facts like these.
Why Cultural Diversity Matters
Having multiple cultures in one location, such as a city, school, or nation, is known as cultural diversity.
It benefits us:
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Acquire new concepts.
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Make new music, food, and art.
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Coexist peacefully.
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Grow stronger as a community.
Sharing different cultures makes life better and more exciting. It would be dull to live in a world where there is only one kind of food, one language, and one song. The world is vibrant with color, flavor, and music due to cultural diversity.
Which Culture Is Your Favorite?
Beautiful cultures abound in the world, each with its own language, cuisine, music, and customs. You can learn English while traveling the world by reading English-language books like this one.
Learning about different cultures makes you smarter, kinder, and more open. You can also get better at reading by practicing with easy and enjoyable English texts.
One world, many cultures. Let’s celebrate them all — and let’s continue reading, learning, and growing together.
It’s Practice Time!
To improve your reading skills, begin the quiz and respond to these questions.
Watch this brief video to improve your English a bit more. Try both with and without subtitles.
Este vídeo pertence ao canal Learn English by Pocket Passport — assista mais no canal oficial
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Diversity | A range of different things or people |
| Stereotype | A fixed, often incorrect idea that all members of a group are the same |
| Harmony | A state of peace and agreement |
| Tradition | A custom or belief passed from generation to generation |
| Respect | Politeness, care, and consideration for others |
| Polite | Behaving in a way that is socially correct and shows good manners |
| Curious | Eager to learn or know more |
| Offend | To make someone feel upset, angry, or hurt |
| Intellectual | Related to thinking, understanding, and learning |
| Festival | A special event, usually with music, food, and celebrations |
Now that you’ve learned about cultures, how about keeping up your practice with our next topic about countries? Click on the post right bellow to check it out.
