Comparing cultures In Mexico, we tend to... In the U.S., it seems more common to... One difference I've noticed is... Compared with Mexico... Both cultures... It really depends on... Avoiding generalizations In my experience... Generally speaking... Some people tend to... That's not necessarily true for everyone. It probably depends on the region/person/generation. Reacting naturally Really? I didn't know that. That's interesting. That's pretty similar to Mexico. That's completely different from what I'm used to. I think I'd have to get used to that.

Create four areas of the classroom: 🇲🇽 Mexico 🇺🇸 USA 🌎 Both 🤷 It Depends Read different statements and students move to the area representing their opinion. For example: People make small talk with strangers. Being 10 minutes late is acceptable. People hug when greeting each other. Dinner is usually the biggest meal of the day. People talk openly about money. People make plans weeks in advance. Neighbors know each other well. People talk about the weather a lot. It's normal to eat lunch at your desk. People invite coworkers to their homes. After every few statements, ask: Why did you choose that answer? This should naturally create disagreement—which is exactly what you want.Create four areas of the classroom: 🇲🇽 Mexico 🇺🇸 USA 🌎 Both 🤷 It Depends Read different statements and students move to the area representing their opinion. For example: People make small talk with strangers. Being 10 minutes late is acceptable. People hug when greeting each other. Dinner is usually the biggest meal of the day. People talk openly about money. People make plans weeks in advance. Neighbors know each other well. People talk about the weather a lot. It's normal to eat lunch at your desk. People invite coworkers to their homes. After every few statements, ask: Why did you choose that answer? This should naturally create disagreement—which is exactly what you want.

Before giving them any information, ask: What do you think will be the biggest cultural adjustment for you personally? Students discuss in groups of three. Give them categories: Social life – Food – Work – Communication – Money – Transportation – Dating – Making friends – Personal space – Daily routines Each group chooses their Top 3. Then compare answers as a class.

Create four stations and rotate approximately every 8 minutes. Instead of role-playing, students receive questions and situations to discuss. Station 1 – Making Friends & Small Talk Discuss: Is making friends as an adult difficult in Mexico? Where do adults normally make new friends? Would you feel comfortable talking to a stranger at a coffee shop? What topics are safe when meeting someone for the first time? What topics would you avoid? If an American says, "We should hang out sometime," would you assume there are actual plans? How would you make friends if you moved somewhere knowing nobody? Challenge Create five good small-talk questions that aren't: What do you do? or Where are you from? Station 2 – Personal Space & Social Rules Discuss: Hug, handshake, cheek kiss, or just say hello? How close do you normally stand when talking to someone? Is arriving 15 minutes late rude? Would you visit someone's house without telling them first? Is it rude to wear headphones in public? Would you talk to someone in an elevator? Is it okay to ask someone's age? What about their salary? What topics are considered "too personal"? Challenge Students create: 3 unwritten social rules in Mexico that foreigners should know. This reversal is important—they shouldn't only be learning about Americans; they should practice explaining their own culture in English. Station 3 – Work Culture This one is particularly relevant before they move. Discuss: Should you become friends with your coworkers? Should employees call their boss by their first name? Is eating lunch alone antisocial? Should you tell your boss when you disagree with them? Is it okay to leave exactly when your shift ends? Should you answer work messages after hours? How important is punctuality? Would you feel comfortable saying "I don't know" at work? How would you react if your manager gave you very direct feedback? Challenge Finish the sentence: "Something about working in the U.S. that I think I'll have to adapt to is..." Station 4 – Dating & Social Life Keep this conversational rather than turning it into a lesson on American dating. Discuss: Who should pay on a first date? Is splitting the bill normal? How do people meet partners today? Is meeting someone through an app different from meeting them in person? How soon should someone introduce a partner to their family? Is being friends with an ex normal? Would you date someone from a very different culture? What misunderstandings could happen in an intercultural relationship? Challenge Choose one: Dating is easier today than it was 20 years ago. Agree or disagree? Defend your answer.

This deserves its own short activity because it's practical. Give students situations: Sit-down restaurant Coffee shop Bar Food delivery Taxi/Uber Hair salon Takeout Hotel Fast-food restaurant Ask: Would you tip? Yes / No / Maybe? How much? Why? Have them compare their expectations about Mexico and the U.S. The point isn't to memorize one universal percentage; it's recognizing that tipping expectations vary by service and context and knowing when they may need to check.

Instead of teaching them about American sports, use sports and weather as examples of small-talk survival. Put students in pairs. Give them a situation: You're waiting for a meeting to start with a new coworker. You have three minutes. They must maintain a natural conversation. Possible topics: Weather Weekend plans Sports Food Traffic Movies/TV Local events Travel Twist Every 30–45 seconds, show a new topic. They have to transition naturally. For example: "Speaking of travel..." "That reminds me..." "By the way..." "Actually, since you mentioned..." This is much closer to real conversation than simply answering questions.

Now give them situations that could genuinely cause uncertainty. Situation 1 Your American coworker says: "We should grab coffee sometime!" Two weeks pass and they never mention it again. What do you think happened? What would you do? Situation 2 You're invited to a party that starts at 7:00 p.m. What time do you arrive? Situation 3 A coworker asks: "How are you?" You're having a terrible day. How much information do you give them? Situation 4 Everyone at work calls your manager by their first name. Would you feel comfortable doing the same? Situation 5 Someone you just met asks: "What do you do?" Why might this be such a common small-talk question? The goal isn't necessarily to find the one "American" answer. Students should discuss what they would interpret, what they would do, and why.

Each student completes three statements aloud: One thing I think will be similar is... One thing I think will be different is... One thing I'll probably have to get used to is... Then finish with: "What part of Mexican culture do you think you'll miss the most?" That final question can generate a surprisingly meaningful conversation and connects the class to the reality that they're not just learning English—they're preparing for a significant transition in their daily lives. Optional Homework Give them a small "Ask an American" challenge if they have access to American friends, coworkers, recruiters, or acquaintances. Each student chooses one cultural question from today's class, asks an American, and brings the answer to the next lesson. If they don't have someone they can ask, they can find a short video or discussion online about the topic instead. Then the next class can begin with: "What did you find out?" This also reinforces an important lesson from the class: culture is something you explore through people and experiences, not a fixed list of rules.