ReadOasis Step 2 There are many ways to learn English. But language study is often hard, and most people don’t enjoy it. After all, grammar books and language drills are not meant to be fun. Is there a fun way to learn English? The answer is a big “YES!”... Read more
ReadOasis Step 2 The last thing I remember before the car accident was music. My favorite song played on the radio. Michael Jackson’s “Black or White” exploded as an instant hit. He released the song in December 1991. And I fell in love with it immediately. Three weeks after... Read more
Your Cross-Cultural Purpose
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ReadOasis Step 2 Viktor listened to the sound of hard coughing. He looked at the man in the bed next to him. The man coughed and fought for air. Other men in the room coughed hard, too. Just then, the door burst open. A cold wind filled the room,... Read more
Communication, Culture, and Conflict
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ReadOasis Step 2 The following story uses very strong language -- not appropriate for children. In his work team, only Hiro can speak English. As a result, the team chose him to go to Chicago on an important business trip. The team leader offered to get Hiro a guide.... Read more
ReadOasis Step 2 (Part 1) Yuki stepped outside the airplane, and the warm air touched her face. “The heat feels nice,” she said to herself. “Better than winter in Japan!” She flew over 14,000 kilometers for one reason. She wanted to meet her boyfriend’s parents. Arturo, he stood tall,... Read more
ReadOasis Step 2 (Part 2) If Yuki marries Arturo today, imagine her future. His parents do not come to the wedding. On their honeymoon, Arturo receives a phone call from home. His father says, “You left our family. You broke our family. You are not my son anymore. I... Read more
Update Your Mental and Cultural Software
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ReadOasis Step 2 Neo looked at the chair. On the backrest, he saw wires connected to a sharp object. “It looks like an old electric chair,” he said. Morpheus answered in his deep voice. “We use the adapter to connect your brain to the mainframe computer. Then we can... Read more
Blind Men and the Elephant of Culture
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ReadOasis Step 2 Long ago in a faraway land, six blind men sat by the road. Animals and people walked by, kicking up dust in the air. The burning sun made the ground hot. The blind men had no food, no money, and no water. They just waited for... Read more
Six Culture Conflicts (Part 1)
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ReadOasis Step 2 (Part 1) Joel held the warm, brown cup in both his hands. With his eyes, he smiled at Matt and drank his hot chocolate. "Ready to go?" asked Matt. "Yeah," said Joel. "Let’s go home." They stood up at the same time, put on their coats,... Read more
Six Culture Conflicts (Part 2)
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ReadOasis Step 2 (Part 2) Question 1: Who Are You? Here we ask about relationships. How do you relate to the group? How do you relate to the individual? Do you make your own decisions? Do you make decisions with a group? In some cultures, people tend to value... Read more
Six Culture Conflicts (Part 3)
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ReadOasis Step 2 (Part 3) Question 5: What Is Good? Here we face the problem of choosing "the good." Do we choose the good of the future or the present? In China or Japan, culture may value the good of the future. But in American countries, cultures may value... Read more
ReadOasis Step 2 Lena looked back. She felt fear, sadness, and excitement all at once. She waved to her friends and parents. And they all waved back, smiling and blowing kisses. Lena turned around and started walking. She took a deep breath and said to herself, “Don’t be afraid.... Read more
The Blues: Music of Survival
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ReadOasis Step 2 Painting by John Rose Four men were walking across a field. They were carrying a body wrapped up in white cloth. Their strong, black hands and arms supported the body as they walked on. Other men, women, and children walked behind. And the tall green trees... Read more
Making Work Fun: The Levity Effect (Step 2)
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ReadOasis Step 2 A manager at a company was interviewing a job candidate. The manager said, “We need a very responsible person for this job. We need someone who can take charge.” The candidate’s eyes lit up, and he answered with great confidence. “Sir, your search ends here! I’m... Read more
The Future on Your Wrist (Step 2)
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By Tek Smith ReadOasis Step 2 The world was waiting with excitement. Three years earlier, Steve Jobs had died. Jobs was the head of Apple Computer. Under his leadership, Apple released many original products. These products included the iPod, the iPhone, iTunes, and the iPad. These Apple products caused... Read more
ReadOasis Step 2 (Part 1) It was dark outside and freezing. Ice and snow shined gray and white under the light of the moon and the lights on the streets. In the surrounding valley, an icy breeze blew through the trees and over the cold waters of the Susquehanna... Read more
ReadOasis Step 2 Jane took a deep breath. She reached for the door, opened it, and stepped into the room. When she looked up, she saw five men in dark suits, sitting in a row. Jane introduced herself and took another deep breath. The man in the middle waved... Read more
The Biggest Sporting Event
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ReadOasis Step 2 In 1982, England and Argentina were at war. They were fighting over the Falkland Islands. The English took the islands. But even today, Argentina claims them as their own. In 1986, England and Argentina fought again. But this time, it was in Mexico, at the World... Read more
$80,000 for One Song
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ReadOasis Step 2 The room is dark. You are alone. You are drinking a coke and downloading some songs from the Internet. Then you hear a crash. Your heart stops as you hear a man shout. "This is the police!" You catch your breath and say, "What?" Then another... Read more
ReadOasis Step 2 Anna Mary Sewell (March 30, 1820 - April 25, 1878) was an English novelist. She wrote the classic novel Black Beauty. Her mother taught her at home until the age of twelve. Then Anna started attending school. Two years later, Anna slipped while walking home from... Read more