Peter Horton - Educator

Eating Meals Around the World  

People around the world eat meals in many different ways, but meals have the same purpose everywhere: to share food, gain energy, and connect with others. Most countries eat three main meals each day, but the foods, times, and customs can be very different. In some places, people eat meals together with family at a table. In other places, meals are eaten quickly or shared from one large dish. Some cultures use forks and spoons, while others use chopsticks or eat with their hands. Meals can be spicy, mild, sweet, or salty depending on local traditions. Many meals are connected to culture, religion, and history. Even though foods look different, meals help people feel comfort, community, and care. Learning about meals in different countries helps students understand cultures and respect how people live around the world. 

Mission Statement 

Students will learn about meals eaten throughout the day, expand food-related vocabulary, and practice using simple verbs and sentences in context while developing reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. 

Language Objectives 

• Identify and name meals eaten during the day
• Recognize basic food vocabulary
• Read, listen to, and comprehend a simple story about daily meals
•  Use food and meal vocabulary in spoken and written sentences
• Practice simple sentence structure using verbs related to eating and drinking 

Learning Outcomes 

By the end of this unit, students will be able to: 

1. Identify breakfast, lunch, and dinner 
2. Use food vocabulary in simple sentences 
3. Retell a story about meals using pictures and words 
4. Write basic sentences about meals 
5. Talk about what they eat during the day 

Prompts / Warm-Up Questions 

1. What do you eat in the morning? 
2. Do you eat lunch at school or at home? 
3. What food do you like? 
4. Who do you eat with? 

Meals in 10 Different Countries  

By the way, I have been to and ate at 9 of the 10 counties. I have not been to France to eat, but I have eaten French food. I have been an extremely lucky person to have visited and spend time in different counties and cultures. 

Read and use text-to-speech or if in class have different student take turns reading.  

1. United States

Meals often include meat, vegetables, bread, or pasta. Breakfast may be cereal or eggs. Lunch is quick, and dinner is larger. People use forks and spoons. Families may eat together, but busy schedules sometimes mean eating alone, especially during workdays or school days. 

2. China:I lived and taught there three years. 

Meals are shared from many dishes placed in the center of the table. Rice or noodles are common. People use chopsticks. Meals include vegetables, meat, soup, and sauces. Sharing food shows family connection, cooperation, respect, and learning to care for others at the table. 

3. Japan. I traveled there.

Meals are carefully prepared and balanced. A meal often includes rice, fish, vegetables, and soup. People use chopsticks and eat quietly. Meals show respect for food, nature, and tradition, and presentation teaches patience, care, and appreciation for simple beauty. 

4. Mexico:My parent lived and I lived in Texas and went over to Mexica many times. 

Meals include tortillas, beans, rice, vegetables, and meat. Food is often spicy and full of flavor. Families eat together and talk during meals. Tacos, tamales, and soups are common, especially during celebrations, festivals, and important family gatherings. 

5. India.Traveledthere. 

Meals often include rice, flatbread, vegetables, lentils, and spices. Many people eat vegetarian meals. Some eat with their hands. Meals are shared with family and are connected to culture, religion, daily traditions, and respect for guests and elders. 

6. France

Meals are slow and social. People eat bread, cheese, vegetables, meat, and desserts. Meals are eaten at the table with conversation. Food quality is important, and meals are a time to relax, share stories, and enjoy relationships together. 

7. South Korea: I lived and taught there 2 years. 

Meals include rice, soup, vegetables, and kimchi. Many small dishes are shared. People eat with spoons and chopsticks. Meals are family-centered and respectful, and children learn manners, patience, and gratitude during shared family meals. 

8. Saudi Arabia (Middle East)I lived in and taught there 2011-2018 

Meals often include rice, lamb or chicken, vegetables, and spices. A common dish is kabsa. People may eat from a shared plate, sometimes using their hands. Meals are family-centered and show hospitality. Sharing food is important and guests are treated with great respect during meals. 

9. Thailand. I went there three times andspendabout two months there. 

Meals include rice, vegetables, meat, and seafood. Flavors are sweet, salty, spicy, and sour. Dishes are shared at the table. Meals are colorful and fresh, and food reflects balance, health, tradition, and joyful community eating. 

10. Philippines. I made 3 trips there and about9 weeks.

Meals include rice, fish or meat, vegetables, and soup. Rice is eaten at almost every meal. Families eat together, especially during celebrations. Food reflects Spanish, Asian, and local influences, showing history, family pride, and hospitality. 

Breakfast Around the World  

Breakfast is the first meal of the day, and people around the world eat it in similar and different ways. In many countries, breakfast gives energy for school, work, and daily activities. Common foods include bread, rice, eggs, milk, and fruit. Many families eat breakfast together at home, making it a time for routine and connection. 
Breakfast foods change by culture, climate, and tradition. Some countries eat light meals like bread and tea, while others eat rice, soup, or meat. Some breakfasts are sweet, others salty or spicy. Even with differences, breakfast everywhere helps people start the day with energy and comfort. 

A World Table: A Conversation About Food 

Characters 

• Confucius (China – philosopher) 

• King Sejong (Korea – creator of Hangul) 

• Frida Kahlo (Mexico – artist) 

• Paulo Coelho (Brazil – author) 

• Nelson Mandela (South Africa – leader) 

• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Austria – composer) 

• José Rizal (Philippines – writer, national hero) 

• Ibn Sina (Avicenna) (Middle East / Saudi region – scholar) 

• Kukrit Pramoj (Thailand – writer, leader) 

• Chinua Achebe (Africa – Nigeria, author) 

Dialogue 

Confucius (China): 
“In China, meals are shared. We eat rice, dumplings, and vegetables together. Sharing food teaches respect, balance, and family harmony.” 

King Sejong (Korea): 
“Our meals include rice, soup, and kimchi. Food is colorful and healthy. We eat together and thank those who prepared the meal.” 

Frida Kahlo (Mexico): 
“In Mexico, food is art and memory. We eat tacos, mole, and tamales. Meals bring family, music, and celebration together.” 

Paulo Coelho (Brazil): 
“In Brazil, we enjoy feijoada, rice, and beans. Food brings people together, just like stories and football.” 

Nelson Mandela (South Africa): 
“Our meals include maize, meat, and shared cooking over fire. Eating together builds community and respect.” 

Mozart (Austria): 
“In Austria, we enjoy bread, soup, schnitzel, and sweets. Meals are calm and social, like music shared with friends.” 

José Rizal (Philippines): 
“We eat rice with every meal. Adobo and soups show our history. Meals are always about family and hospitality.” 

Ibn Sina (Middle East): 
“In our region, meals include rice, dates, bread, and spiced meat. Food is shared generously and given with kindness.” 

Kukrit Pramoj (Thailand): 
“Our meals balance sweet, sour, salty, and spicy. We eat rice with many small dishes and enjoy fresh flavors.” 

Chinua Achebe (Africa): 
“Food tells stories. We eat yams, rice, and soups. Meals connect us to land, history, and one another.” 

Closing Line (Teacher-Ready) 

Narrator: 
“Though foods are different, meals around the world share one thing—they bring people together.” 

10 comprehension questions  

(with answer key) 

A World Table: Food Around the World 

Part 1: Comprehension Questions 

(Purpose: Check understanding of ideas, not memorization. Teacher may read aloud.) 

Questions 

1. Why do people in many countries eat meals together? 
2. What food is common in China and Korea? 
3. Which country uses food to celebrate family and music? 
4. What country eats feijoada and values togetherness like stories and sports? 
5. Why is sharing food important in South Africa? 
6. How are meals in Austria described? 
7. What food is eaten at most meals in the Philippines? 
8. What foods are common in Middle Eastern meals? 
9. How does Thailand balance flavors in food? 
10. What do meals around the world have in common? 

Answer Key (Teacher Use) 

1. To build family, respect, and togetherness. 
2. Rice 
3. Mexico 
4. Brazil 
5. It builds community and respect. 
6. Calm, social, and shared with friends. 
7. Rice 
8. Rice, bread, dates, and spiced meat. 
9. Sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors. 
10. They bring people together.