Teaching Cultural Competence

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Teaching Cultural Competence
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Agenda

• Introductions
• What is culture in your classroom?
• Teaching culture and cultures at EF
• What the Common European Framework says
• From theory to practice
• Personal directions

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Over 400 schools and offices

• English immersion in 8 countries
• UK
• Ireland
• Malta
• USA
• Canada
• Australia
• New Zealand
• South Africa
• English in other environments
• Englishtown.com
• English First
• English First Smart Schools
• English First Kids
• EF Corporate Language Training
• Additional languages taught Spanish, French,
  German, Italian, Chinese

ILS London
ILS Cambridge
ILS Boston
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125 nationalities in our schools
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Discussion

• How do you define culture?
• What do our students think culture is?
• What is the difference between Culture and
  culture?
• Culture culture

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Teaching culture and cultures at EF
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The Common European Framework

• Beyond language teaching
• Knowledge of the world
• Sociocultural knowledge
• Practical skills social, living, vocational
• Intercultural skills
• Self-knowledge attitude, motivation, values,
  believes, cognitive style, personality

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Living conditions

• living standards (with regional, class and ethnic
  variations)
• housing conditions
• welfare arrangements

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Everyday living

• food and drink, meal times, table manners
• public holidays
• working hours and practices
• leisure activities (hobbies, sports, reading
  habits, media)

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Interpersonal relations

• relations of power and solidarity
• relations between classes
• relations between sexes (gender, intimacy)
• family structures and relations
• relations between generations
• relations in work situations
• relations between public and police, officials,
  etc.
• race and community relations
• relations among political and religious groups

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Values, beliefs and attitudes

• social class
• occupational groups (academic, management, public
  service, skilled and manual
• workforces)
• wealth (income and inherited)
• regional cultures
• security
• institutions
• tradition and social change

• history, especially iconic historical personages
  and events
• minorities (ethnic, religious)
• national identity
• foreign countries, states, peoples
• politics
• arts (music, visual arts, literature, drama,
  popular music and song)
• religion
• humour

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Body language

• Knowledge of the conventions governing such
  behaviour form part of the user/learners
  sociocultural competence

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Social conventions

• punctuality
• presents
• dress
• refreshments, drinks, meals
• behavioural and conversational conventions
• taboos
• length of stay
• leave-taking

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Ritual behaviour

• religious observances and rites
• birth, marriage, death
• audience and spectator behaviour at public
  performances and ceremonies
• celebrations, festivals, dances, discos, etc.

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Intercultural awareness

• Negotiating the relationship from origin to
  target community

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From theory to practice

• How do you get culture in front of students?
• Materials?
• Activities?
• Networking?
• Exchanges?
• Host families?

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Culture Files

• Guides to host culture
• Destinations and topics
• New language
• Practice activities
• Personal reflections
• Diary and sketchbook
• Contact list
• Developed by teachers

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Culture Files

• Guides to host culture
• Destinations and topics
• New language
• Practice activities
• Personal reflections
• Diary and sketchbook
• Contact list
• Developed by teachers

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Englishman on the Road

• Guest teachers
• Sent from ILS
• Great reviews
• Fun topics

Contact your local EF office to request a guest
teacher.
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Conclusion

• What is culture in your classroom?
• Teaching culture and cultures at EF
• What the Common European Framework says
• From theory to practice