EFE learning modules / Sharing Your Culture & Heritage

scenario 1 elena an international exchange student

Scenario Context

"Elena, an international exchange student, talks with Sam, who is preparing a presentation about his Ethiopian heritage for a cultural exchange event at their university library."

Speakers
E

Elena

An inquisitive student from Brazil who loves learning about global traditions.

S

Sam

A student from Ethiopia who is passionate about sharing his country's rich history and customs.

The Dialogue

Tap highlighted words to view vocabulary cards below.

Elena
Hi Sam! Are you getting ready for the cultural exchange fair tomorrow?
Sam
Yes, I am! I'm currently organizing some photos of my to show everyone.
Elena
That's exciting. What is the specific focus of your ?
Sam
I want to explain our unique traditions, especially the ones that involve the whole community.
Elena
I've heard that Ethiopia has a very old and rich history.
Sam
It certainly does. One of our most famous rituals is the traditional coffee ceremony.
Elena
A coffee ceremony? Is it different from just grabbing a quick cup of coffee?
Sam
Oh, definitely. It's a long process that social connection and conversation.
Elena
How long does it typically last?
Sam
It can last for two or three hours. We roast the beans, grind them, and brew the coffee in a 'Jebena'.
Elena
That sounds like a beautiful way to practice .
Sam
It is. is a huge part of our culture. We never let a guest leave hungry.
Elena
Speaking of hunger, what kind of local foods will you mention?
Sam
I have to talk about Injera. It is our food.
Elena
I've seen it before! It looks like a large, spongy flatbread, right?
Sam
Exactly. It is a flatbread made from a tiny grain called Teff.
Elena
Is it true that you eat it with your hands?
Sam
Yes, we use pieces of Injera to scoop up different types of stews called Wot.
Elena
Is it a dining experience?
Sam
Yes, we often share one large platter. It brings people closer together.
Elena
That is so different from the individual plates we usually use in the West.
Sam
It really changes the atmosphere of the meal. It's very and loud.
Elena
Will you also talk about national holidays?
Sam
Of course. I'll highlight Enkutatash, which is our New Year.
Elena
When is that celebrated?
Sam
It falls in September. It's a time when the yellow daisies are across the highlands.
Elena
September seems like an unusual time for a New Year. Is there a reason?
Sam
It marks the end of the heavy rainy season and the beginning of the harvest.
Elena
That makes so much sense. Nature is being reborn.
Sam
Precisely. Children wear new clothes and sing traditional songs to their neighbors.
Elena
I would love to see those traditional dances one day.
Sam
Maybe you can join us at the fair tomorrow. I'll be showing some videos of the 'Eskista' dance.
Elena
I wouldn't miss it for the world! Your culture sounds amazing.
Sam
Thank you, Elena. I'm happy to share my with you.

Scene Vocabulary

Practice vocabulary words & meanings.

Heritage

/ሄሪቴጅ/

ቅርስ

Property or traditions that are or may be inherited; an inheritance.

የሚወረስ ቅርስ ወይም የባህል እሴት።

Ritual

/ሪችዋል/

ሥርዓት

A religious or solemn ceremony consisting of a series of actions performed according to a prescribed order.

በታዘዘ ቅደም ተከተል የሚከናወን ሃይማኖታዊ ወይም ባህላዊ ሥርዓት።

Fosters

/ፎስተርስ/

ያሳድጋል

Encourage or promote the development of something.

የአንድን ነገር እድገት ማበረታታት ወይም ማሳደግ።

Hospitality

/ሆስፒታሊቲ/

እንግዳ ተቀባይነት

The friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests.

እንግዶችን በደስታና በልግስና የመቀበል ተግባር።

Staple

/ስቴፕል/

ዋና ምግብ

A main or important element of something, especially food.

የአንድ ነገር ዋና ወይም አስፈላጊ አካል (በተለይ ምግብ)።

Sourdough

/ሳወርዶው/

በእርሾ የቦካ ሊጥ

Leavened bread which has a slightly sour taste.

መጠነኛ የሆነ የመኮምጠጥ ጣዕም ያለው በእርሾ የቦካ ዳቦ።

Communal

/ኮምዩናል/

የጋራ

Shared by all members of a community; for common use.

በማህበረሰቡ አባላት በጋራ የሚጠቀሙበት።

Vibrant

/ቫይብራንት/

ደማቅ

Full of energy and enthusiasm.

በሃይልና በስሜት የተሞላ።

Blooming

/ብሉሚንግ/

ማበብ

The process of producing flowers.

አበባ የማውጣት ወይም የማበብ ሂደት።

Presentation

/ፕረዘንቴሽን/

ገለጻ

A speech or talk in which a new product, idea, or piece of work is shown and explained to an audience.

አዲስ ሃሳብን ወይም ስራን ለታዳሚ የማሳየትና የማብራራት ንግግር።