Dealing with cultural misunderstandings in the EFL Classroom 35th - - PDF document

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Dealing with cultural misunderstandings in the EFL Classroom

35th Annual ETAS Conference Zofingen, 19/20 January 2019 Geoff Tranter

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Agenda:

• 1. The problem
• 2. What to Do? – A list of possible methods and activities
• 3. Teaching Principles
• 4. Comments, feedback, questions, etc.

35th Annual ETAS Conference Zofingen, 19/20 January 2019 Geoff Tranter

Cultural Misunderstandings

Where from?

Bias, Stereotypes, Prejudices

Newspaper headlines Jokes and cartoons School books TV / videos Advertisements

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So what to do?

• 1. Check your materials.

35th Annual ETAS Conference Zofingen, 19/20 January 2019 Geoff Tranter

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So what to do?

• 1. Check your materials.
• 2. Integrate stereotype awareness-raising activities

35th Annual ETAS Conference Zofingen, 19/20 January 2019 Geoff Tranter

Example 1: Europe according to …… # Start with home territory

35th Annual ETAS Conference Zofingen, 19/20 January 2019 Geoff Tranter

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Impressions? Which of these countries have you been to?

Example 1: Europe according to …… # Start with home territory # Hand out relevant maps

35th Annual ETAS Conference Zofingen, 19/20 January 2019 Geoff Tranter

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Example 1: Europe according to …… # Start with home territory # Hand out relevant maps # What would you want to change? Make your own map with different judgments.

35th Annual ETAS Conference Zofingen, 19/20 January 2019 Geoff Tranter

Example 2: How to be British

35th Annual ETAS Conference Zofingen, 19/20 January 2019 Geoff Tranter

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Example 2: How to be British Hand out examples in groups – one per group TASK: a) What impression? b) Who in the group has been to the UK? c) Make your own: How to be British

35th Annual ETAS Conference Zofingen, 19/20 January 2019 Geoff Tranter

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Thetravellingteachers.blogspot.com

Example 3: The Perfect European

35th Annual ETAS Conference Zofingen, 19/20 January 2019 Geoff Tranter

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Example 3: The Perfect European a) Guess and fill in OR Match b) Discuss

35th Annual ETAS Conference Zofingen, 19/20 January 2019 Geoff Tranter

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Example 4: European Stereotypes

35th Annual ETAS Conference Zofingen, 19/20 January 2019 Geoff Tranter

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Example 4: European Stereotypes Choose one of the nationalities. Speculate what the text might say.

35th Annual ETAS Conference Zofingen, 19/20 January 2019 Geoff Tranter

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Example 4: European Stereotypes Choose one of the nationalities. Speculate what the text might say. And what is your reaction to the text.

35th Annual ETAS Conference Zofingen, 19/20 January 2019 Geoff Tranter

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Example 4: European Stereotypes Complete the following sentences with one of the countries given in the list.

35th Annual ETAS Conference Zofingen, 19/20 January 2019 Geoff Tranter

Heaven is where: # the cooks are from …… # the police are from …… # the footballers are from … # the car mechanics are from ….. # the lovers are from ….. # the financial advisors are from …. # the soldiers are from ……. # politicians are from ….. # the beer brewers are from …. # the managers are from …. # the coffee is from ….. # the comedians are from…. Heaven is where: Britain Germany France Switzerland Italy Poland Belgium the USA Spain Russia China Hungary

HEAVEN AND HELL

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Example 4: European Stereotypes Complete the following sentences with one of the countries given in the list. Now compare your answers and give reasons for your choice.

35th Annual ETAS Conference Zofingen, 19/20 January 2019 Geoff Tranter

Example 4: European Stereotypes How do you think people react when they find out what stereotypes people have with regard to their country? Watch the video. Note down the reactions.

35th Annual ETAS Conference Zofingen, 19/20 January 2019 Geoff Tranter

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Example 5: Nationality and Citizenship

Is there a difference? What is the difference?

35th Annual ETAS Conference Zofingen, 19/20 January 2019 Geoff Tranter

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What are the essential elements of nationality? Choose from the following AND/OR add ideas of your own.

Geoff Tranter

Now look at this chart. To what extent does it confirm / complement / contradict the ideas you and your partner came up with?

Geoff Tranter

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Example 5: Citizenship and Citizenship Tests

The purpose of a citizenship is to decide whether a foreign national should be given the right to beciome a citizen of a second country and receive a passport of that country. This usually involves a test – a so-called Citizenship Test.

35th Annual ETAS Conference Zofingen, 19/20 January 2019 Geoff Tranter

Which of these texts would you like to read? Why? What do you expect the article to be about?

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Example 5: Citizenship and Citizenship Tests

The purpose of a citizenship is to decide whether a foreign national should be given the right to beciome a citizen of a second country and receive a passport of that country. This usually involves a test – a so-called Citizenship Test. Here are some examples.

35th Annual ETAS Conference Zofingen, 19/20 January 2019 Geoff Tranter

You can expect questions like "Describe how Cantonal rules are made in this Canton", "How many people make up the executive", "Describe the Cantonal flag", "How is the Swiss parliament made up and who elects the members of the different chambers ", "What are the ways the Swiss citizens can influence the parliament", "What are the reasons you want to become Swiss?" , "What do you like about Switzerland?" "What don't you like?", "What is the largest enclosed lake inside Switzerland?" , “Name the main Swiss rivers", "What are the 3 initiatives to be voted on February 7th?", "What Canton is the most Eastern in Switzerland?", "When and where was Switzerland founded", "Name the most famous battles fought in this Canton and the outcome", "When and how did this Canton join the Confederation", "Which General was in Charge of the army during the Second World War?", "Name a famous Swiss teacher, poet, writer, sportsman,....etc", "What are the most famous sights in Switzerland?" "What local events do you attend?", “How do you participate in the community and mix with your neighbours?", "How much money, salary, pension, wealth... do you have?".

Questions in Switzerland

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Questions in the UK Questions in Germany

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Example 5: Citizenship and Citizenship Tests

The purpose of a citizenship is to decide whether a foreign national should be given the right to beciome a citizen of a second country and receive a passport of that country. This usually involves a test – a so-called Citizenship Test. Discuss and decide what such a test should consist of. Suggest ten questions that you think are appropriate.

35th Annual ETAS Conference Zofingen, 19/20 January 2019 Geoff Tranter

Summary:

• 1. The topic should always be combined with language and

communication practice, e.g. # reading skills # listening skills # speaking skills, interactive and monologue # writing skills

35th Annual ETAS Conference Zofingen, 19/20 January 2019 Geoff Tranter

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Summary:

• 2. The aim is to sensitize and enhance people‘s awareness

>>>> not to preach!

• 3. The content is not a syllabus for a course, but activities

that can be used as appropriate, e.g. news.

• 4. Bring in the learners‘ knowledge as much and as far as

possible.

• 5. Start at home.

35th Annual ETAS Conference Zofingen, 19/20 January 2019 Geoff Tranter

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Sources: # Youtube # How to be British, by Martyn Ford and Peter Legon, publ. By Lee Gone Publications ISBN 0 – 9522870 # https://europeisnotdead.com/european-stereotypes1/ # http://allofbeer.com/crude-but-rarely-nasty-the-jokes- europeans-tell-about-their-neighbours/#img-2 # Thetravellingteachers.blogspot.com

35th Annual ETAS Conference Zofingen, 19/20 January 2019 Geoff Tranter

Thanks For Coming and Cooperating Any Questions / Comments / Feedback

35th Annual ETAS Conference Zofingen, 19/20 January 2019 Geoff Tranter