Structure of FOCAC Functions of paragraphs Paragraphs Content Opening paragraph Para 1 Introduction Theme paragraph Para 2 Background information Developing paragraphs Paras 3-5 Major events Conclusion paragraph Para 6 Meaning Step III Pre-reading

Activity one: Prediction

T: Now please turn to page 18, look at the title and the picture, and please answer the questions.

The Ss try to predict the content of the text according to the title and the picture.

Sa: I think this passage is mainly about Zheng He and his seven great voyages.

Sb: The text may tell us how he accomplished his great voyages.

Sc: The passage may deal with his effort to build the friendship between China and African lands.

T: Since we have got a general understanding of the content of the text, please predict the structure of it.

The Ss predict the structure of the text according to the title.

Sa: The text may include two parts including introduction and Zheng He's voyages.

Sb: Zheng He is a historical hero; therefore, the text may follow the structure of most versions of historical events. The text may include: introduction, his seven voyages and the meaning of his voyages.

T: Your predictions are reasonable. Now think for a while about the purpose for the writer to write this passage.

Sa: This text is under the title of Cultural Corner, so it may help to promote students' understanding of cultural communication.

Sb: The text aims at raising our national pride, because China was able to carry out such great explorations before most of European countries.

T: You both have come to the point. Cross cultural communication help promote mutual understanding of the countries involved. Zheng He set a good example for the world, that is, China was a peace-loving country in Zheng's time, though