The Cultural Connection Strategy in Speaking Part 1

The ‘Cultural Connection’ approach involves linking your answers to aspects of your culture or country.

It’s a great way to showcase your unique perspective and engage the examiner with information they might find novel or intriguing.

So, how can you implement this strategy?

When answering a question, try to think about how your response might be influenced by or related to your cultural background.

You don’t need to make every answer about your culture, but including these connections where relevant can add a fascinating dimension to your responses.

Some Practical Examples

Let’s look at some examples to see this technique in action:

Question: “What’s your favorite traditional food?”

Answer: “My favorite traditional dish is pho, a Vietnamese noodle soup that’s not just a meal but a cultural icon in my country, where it’s common to see people of all ages enjoying steaming bowls of pho for breakfast at street-side stalls, filling the air with the aromatic scent of herbs and spices that’s so characteristic of our cuisine.”

Question: “Do you enjoy celebrating festivals?”

Answer: “Yes, I love celebrating festivals, especially Diwali, which is known as the Festival of Lights in India, where we decorate our homes with colorful rangoli patterns and light dozens of oil lamps, creating a magical atmosphere that symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil in our culture.”

Question: “What kind of music do you like?”

Answer: “I’m particularly fond of samba music, which is deeply rooted in Brazilian culture and reflects our vibrant, energetic spirit, with its infectious rhythms that make it almost impossible not to dance and its lyrics that often tell stories of everyday life in Brazil, from the beaches of Rio to the favelas.”

Question: “How do people in your country typically spend their weekends?”

Answer: “In Spain, weekends are often centered around family gatherings, where it’s common for extended families to come together for long, leisurely lunches that can last for hours, followed by a siesta, which is our traditional afternoon rest that’s still an important part of our lifestyle, especially in smaller towns and villages.”

Question: “What’s a popular hobby in your country?”

Answer: “In Japan, one popular hobby is origami, the art of paper folding, which has been part of our culture for centuries and is seen as a meditative practice that requires patience and precision, with many people enjoying creating intricate designs from simple squares of paper, ranging from traditional cranes to modern, abstract forms.”

By using this ‘Cultural Connection’ technique, you’re not just answering the question – you’re providing a unique, culturally rich response.

Remember, the goal isn’t to give a lecture on your culture. Just a brief mention or explanation of a cultural element can add depth to your answer.

The key is to make these connections natural and relevant to the question at hand.

I’m really interested to hear your thoughts on this strategy.