Assimilation
Some feel that individuals should try to assimilate completely into the country where they live while others feel it is more important to preserve their native culture.
Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
There are those today who argue for complete cultural integration on the part of immigrants. In my opinion, this proposal is unrealistic despite the positive prospect of reduced conflicts and, instead, individuals should prioritise efforts towards cultural preservation.
Proponents of complete assimilation cite a lower likelihood of conflicts stemming from cultural differences. These disparities can be seen in areas ranging from traditions and customs to ways of life and social etiquette. A counter-example of this would be the Vietnamese New Year celebrated annually in the UK by various Asian immigrant diasporas. During the week of this event, Vietnamese residents organize celebratory activities, including lion dancing, fireworks displays, communal dining, and various other forms of entertainment. Though such celebrations are not against any stated codes of conduct or public etiquette, there have been many instances of participants causing sheer public disturbances and disruptions to locals’ daily habits, prompting unnecessary conflicts and also, in extreme cases, unwanted animosity towards the Vietnamese community. These negative outcomes would theoretically be eradicated if there was complete cultural integration.
However, I would argue that it is of greater importance to preserve one’s native culture. Though cultural events such as the Vietnamese New Year may be unwelcome among more prejudiced and conservative segments of the population, most people today are open-minded and accepting of cultural differences. This can be evidenced in the greater proportion of individuals around the world embracing cultural diversity in film, music, and fashion, and the embrace of foreign holidays. Further complicating complete integration is unrealistic and that intractable differences between cultures justify some degree of separation. An emphasis on preserving one’s culture serves to foster a sense of patriotism, reminding individuals of their ancestral roots and the need to maintain their traditional values. An instructive example would be the success of Vietnamese restaurants around the world. For the past several decades, these establishments have made relentless efforts to popularize the country’s signature dish, Pho. This quintessential dish contributes to elevating Vietnam in the global food market and has even created a unique Pho culture in major cities such as London and New York.
In conclusion, despite the argument in favour of fewer potential conflicts, I would argue for the primacy of preserving one’s culture. One should not be limited to their own values but strive to embrace cultural diversity as the latter is conducive to individual growth.
Essay Breakdown
Structure
Introduction
[1] There are those today who argue for complete cultural integration on the part of immigrants. [2] In my opinion, this proposal is unrealistic despite the positive prospect of reduced conflicts and, instead, individuals should prioritise efforts towards cultural preservation.
1. Write a general statement to rephrase the topic
2. Write a clear statement showing my opinion
Body
Paragraph 1
[1] Proponents of complete assimilation cite a lower likelihood of conflicts stemming from cultural differences. [2] These disparities can be seen in areas ranging from traditions and customs to ways of life and social etiquette. [3] A counter-example of this would be the Vietnamese New Year celebrated annually in the UK by various Asian immigrant diasporas. [4] During the week of this event, Vietnamese residents organize celebratory activities, including lion dancing, fireworks displays, communal dining, and various other forms of entertainment. [5] Though such celebrations are not against any stated codes of conduct or public etiquette, there have been many instances of participants causing sheer public disturbances and disruptions to locals’ daily habits, prompting unnecessary conflicts and also, in extreme cases, unwanted animosity towards the Vietnamese community. [6] These negative outcomes would theoretically be eradicated if there was complete cultural integration.
1. Write a clear topic sentence showing the main idea
2. Develop the main idea with a supporting point
3. Introduce a counter-example to negate the main idea
4. Develop the previous example by adding details
5. Show the outcome of the example
6. Conclude with a hypothetical statement
Paragraph 2
[1] However, I would argue that it is of greater importance to preserve one’s native culture. [2] Though cultural events such as the Vietnamese New Year may be unwelcome among more prejudiced and conservative segments of the population, most people today are open-minded and accepting of cultural differences. [3] This can be evidenced in the greater proportion of individuals around the world embracing cultural diversity in film, music, and fashion, and the embrace of foreign holidays. [4] Further complicating complete integration is unrealistic and that intractable differences between cultures justify some degree of separation. [5] An emphasis on preserving one’s culture serves to foster a sense of patriotism, reminding individuals of their ancestral roots and the need to maintain their traditional values. [6] An instructive example would be the success of Vietnamese restaurants around the world. [7] For the past several decades, these establishments have made relentless efforts to popularize the country’s signature dish, Pho. [8] This quintessential dish contributes to elevating Vietnam in the global food market and has even created a unique Pho culture in major cities such as London and New York.
1. Introduce a new main idea, which is opposed to the one mentioned in the previous paragraph
2. [Counter-argument] add a counterpoint to negate the main idea in the previous paragraph
3. Use an explanation to show the extent to which cultural differences are embraced
4. Provide a further explanation
5. Keep explaining the main idea of this paragraph
6 & 7. Give an example to develop the main idea
8. Expand the example by showing its outcome
Conclusion
[1] In conclusion, despite the argument in favour of fewer potential conflicts, I would argue for the primacy of preserving one’s culture. [2] One should not be limited to their own values but strive to embrace cultural diversity as the latter is conducive to individual growth.
1. Restate personal opinion
2. Extend the viewpoint
Vocabulary
There are those today who argue for complete cultural integration on the part of immigrants. In my opinion, this proposal is unrealistic despite the positive prospect of reduced conflicts and, instead, individuals should prioritise efforts towards cultural preservation.
Proponents of complete assimilation cite a lower likelihood of conflicts stemming from cultural differences. These disparities can be seen in areas ranging from traditions and customs to ways of life and social etiquette. A counter-example of this would be the Vietnamese New Year celebrated annually in the UK by various Asian immigrant diasporas. During the week of this event, Vietnamese residents organize celebratory activities, including lion dancing, fireworks displays, communal dining, and various other forms of entertainment. Though such celebrations are not against any stated codes of conduct or public etiquette, there have been many instances of participants causing sheer public disturbances and disruptions to locals’ daily habits, prompting unnecessary conflicts and also, in extreme cases, unwanted animosity towards the Vietnamese community. These negative outcomes would theoretically be eradicated if there was complete cultural integration.
However, I would argue that it is of greater importance to preserve one’s native culture. Though cultural events such as the Vietnamese New Year may be unwelcome among more prejudiced and conservative segments of the population, most people today are open-minded and accepting of cultural differences. This can be evidenced in the greater proportion of individuals around the world embracing cultural diversity in film, music, and fashion, and the embrace of foreign holidays. Further complicating complete integration is unrealistic and that intractable differences between cultures justify some degree of separation. An emphasis on preserving one’s culture serves to foster a sense of patriotism, reminding individuals of their ancestral roots and the need to maintain their traditional values. An instructive example would be the success of Vietnamese restaurants around the world. For the past several decades, these establishments have made relentless efforts to popularize the country’s signature dish, Pho. This quintessential dish contributes to elevating Vietnam in the global food market and has even created a unique Pho culture in major cities such as London and New York.
In conclusion, despite the argument in favour of fewer potential conflicts, I would argue for the primacy of preserving one’s culture. One should not be limited to their own values but strive to embrace cultural diversity as the latter is conducive to individual growth.
Vocabulary Highlight
- cultural integration: it happens when people from a culture adopt the essence of another culture while maintaining their own.
- proponent (n) + of: a person supporting an idea or course of action
- stem from (phrasal verb): to be the result of something
- social etiquette (n): the formal rules of correct or polite behaviour in society
- diaspora (n): the movement of people from any nation or group away from their own country
- celebratory activities (n): celebrations
- code of conduct (n): a set of rules outlining the norms, rules, and responsibilities or proper practices of an individual party or an organization.
- public disturbance (n): a legal offense that involves a person or people engaging in behavior that causes an unreasonable nuisance to others
- disruption (n): a situation in which it is difficult for something to continue in the normal way
- animosity (n): a strong feeling of opposition, anger, or hate
- eradicate (v): to destroy or get rid of something completely, especially something bad
- to be of greater importance: more important
- prejudiced (adj): having an unreasonable dislike of or preference for something/somebody
- conservative (adj): opposed to great or sudden social change
- intractable (adj): very difficult to deal with
- foster (v): to encourage something to develop
- a sense of patriotism: the feeling of love, devotion, and sense of attachment to one’s country
- ancestral root: an origin which is inherited from, or derived from ancestors
- an instructive example: a relevant/ prominent example
- relentless (adj): not stopping
- a signature dish: an iconic dish
- quintessential (adj): representing the perfect example of something
- the primacy of: the prominence of
- strive (v) + to: to try very hard to achieve something
- conducive (adj) to something: making it easy, possible, or likely for something to happen
Reading
Further reading about this topic can be found here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_assimilation
Listening
Further listening about this topic can be found here:
