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

23.01.2019 Dealing with cultural misunderstandings in the EFL Classroom 35th Annual ETAS Conference Geoff Tranter Zofingen, 19/20 January 2019 1

23.01.2019 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 Geoff Tranter Zofingen, 19/20 January 2019 Newspaper Where from? headlines Cultural Misunderstandings Advertisements Bias, Stereotypes, Prejudices Jokes and cartoons TV / videos School books 2

23.01.2019 So what to do? 1. Check your materials. 35th Annual ETAS Conference Geoff Tranter Zofingen, 19/20 January 2019 3

23.01.2019 So what to do? 1. Check your materials. 2. Integrate stereotype awareness-raising activities 35th Annual ETAS Conference Geoff Tranter Zofingen, 19/20 January 2019 Example 1: Europe according to …… # Start with home territory 35th Annual ETAS Conference Geoff Tranter Zofingen, 19/20 January 2019 4

23.01.2019 Which of these countries have you Impressions? been to? Example 1: Europe according to …… # Start with home territory # Hand out relevant maps 35th Annual ETAS Conference Geoff Tranter Zofingen, 19/20 January 2019 5

23.01.2019 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 Geoff Tranter Zofingen, 19/20 January 2019 Example 2: How to be British 35th Annual ETAS Conference Geoff Tranter Zofingen, 19/20 January 2019 6

23.01.2019 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 Geoff Tranter Zofingen, 19/20 January 2019 7

23.01.2019 Thetravellingteachers.blogspot.com Example 3: The Perfect European 35th Annual ETAS Conference Geoff Tranter Zofingen, 19/20 January 2019 8

23.01.2019 Example 3: The Perfect European a) Guess and fill in OR Match b) Discuss 35th Annual ETAS Conference Geoff Tranter Zofingen, 19/20 January 2019 9

23.01.2019 Example 4: European Stereotypes 35th Annual ETAS Conference Geoff Tranter Zofingen, 19/20 January 2019 10

23.01.2019 Example 4: European Stereotypes Choose one of the nationalities. Speculate what the text might say. 35th Annual ETAS Conference Geoff Tranter Zofingen, 19/20 January 2019 11

23.01.2019 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 Geoff Tranter Zofingen, 19/20 January 2019 12

23.01.2019 Example 4: European Stereotypes Complete the following sentences with one of the countries given in the list. 35th Annual ETAS Conference Geoff Tranter Zofingen, 19/20 January 2019 HEAVEN AND HELL Heaven is where: Heaven is where: Britain # the cooks are from …… Germany # the police are from …… France # the footballers are from … Switzerland # the car mechanics are from ….. Italy # the lovers are from ….. Poland # the financial advisors are from …. Belgium # the soldiers are from ……. the USA # politicians are from ….. Spain # the beer brewers are from …. Russia # the managers are from …. China # the coffee is from ….. Hungary # the comedians are from…. 13

23.01.2019 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 Geoff Tranter Zofingen, 19/20 January 2019 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 Geoff Tranter Zofingen, 19/20 January 2019 14

23.01.2019 Example 5: Nationality and Citizenship Is there a difference? What is the difference? 35th Annual ETAS Conference Geoff Tranter Zofingen, 19/20 January 2019 15

23.01.2019 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 16

23.01.2019 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 Geoff Tranter Zofingen, 19/20 January 2019 Which of these texts would you like to read? Why? What do you expect the article to be about? 17

23.01.2019 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 Geoff Tranter Zofingen, 19/20 January 2019 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", Questions in "What are the 3 initiatives to be voted on February 7th?", Switzerland "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?". 18

23.01.2019 Questions in the UK Questions in Germany 19

23.01.2019 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 Geoff Tranter Zofingen, 19/20 January 2019 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 Geoff Tranter Zofingen, 19/20 January 2019 20

23.01.2019 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 Geoff Tranter Zofingen, 19/20 January 2019 21

23.01.2019 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 Geoff Tranter Zofingen, 19/20 January 2019 Any Questions / Comments / Feedback Thanks For Coming and Cooperating 35th Annual ETAS Conference Geoff Tranter Zofingen, 19/20 January 2019 22