1 Campus and Web-based Resources for Culture Studies NNETESOL Fall 2008 Professor Lyra Riabov

2 Approach: Definition of Culture: A learned set of beliefs, values and norms that members of a group share about what are appropriate and inappropriate ways of thinking, behaving and communicating. (J Bennett) Learning Culture for life adjustment for immigrants and refugees Learning Culture for conducting business internationally Learning Culture for mastering a second/foreign language Comparative Culture learning process effects

3 Approach: in ESL/EFL Learning Culture for practical applications and improvement of four basic language skills: speaking, listening comprehension, reading and writing Learning Culture for the ability to understand, interpret and use vocabulary, idioms, slang, jargon, inferences, connotations, and humor Learning Culture for the ability to communicate in daily life, academic and business environment, media, and entertainment Underestimation of the need to learn Culture as an integral component of English language learning in non-English speaking countries The role of technology in learning Culture

4 Students Surveys Students Survey Blank Form Students Surveys Summary with comments Students Surveys Summary Charts Culture Courses Descriptions and Syllabi Spring /Fall2008

5 ESL Culture Studies Curriculum Development Recommendations: Constantly compare US culture vs. students native country culture Teach all four basic language skills Consider sequence of levels of language competency Focus on active involvement of student in meaningful activities Consider Project based approach (group or individual): (See Samples of Project Assignments and Students presentations)(See Samples of Project Assignments and Students presentations) Consider variety of technology as a tool to learn culture

6 Types of Assignments – reading, – listening, – analyzing, – research, – discussion forums, – presentation skills, – organizing ideas, – role plays, – interviews, – basic computer skills, – learning to evaluate resources, – deliver presentations (short or long)

7 Resources for Learning text books, teacher developed course packs, media (CDs, DVDs, TV programs, the Internet, CALL materials, films, and virtual presentations: web casts, and pod casts), real life encounters: interviews, combined classes, activities with domestic students, and field trips See the models and project assignment for combined classes

8 Resources for Learning  Web-based Culture ResourcesWeb-based Culture Resources  Integrating campus resources Integrating campus resources  Cultural Integration Models Cultural Integration Models  Project-based Resources Project-based Resources

9 Recommended Reading: Alvino E. Fantini, Editor New Ways in Teaching Culture TESOL Publications,1997 Mike Levy, Culture, Culture Learning and new Technologies: Towards a Pedagogical Framework, Language Learning & Technology Vol.11, No.2, June 2007, pp Language Learning & Technology Atkinson, D. (1999). TESOL and Culture. TESOL Quarterly, 33(4), Baldwin, J. R., Faulkner, S. L., & Hecht, M. L. (2006). A moving target: The illusive definition of culture. In J. R. Baldwin, S. L. Faulkner, M. L. Hecht & S. L. Lindsley (Eds.), Redefining culture: Perspectives across the disciplines (pp. 3-26). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Baldwin, J. R., Faulkner, S. L., Hecht, M. L., & Lindsley, S. L. (Eds.) (2006). Redefining culture: Perspectives across the disciplines. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Althen, Gary, Recurring Issues in Intercultural Communication. Learning Across Washington, DC NAFSA, 1994 Altten, Gary, American Ways Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press, 1988 Paige, Michael Education for the Intercultural Experience 2nd ed. Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press, 1993 Bennett, Janet and Bennett Milton, Multiculturalism and International Education: Domestic and International Differences. Learning across Cultures, Washington, DC: NAFSA, 1994 Mestenhauser, Josef A. “Concepts and Theories of Culture Learning” Culture Learning and the Disciplines Washington, DC, NAFSA, 1988 Learning English and Cultural Adjustment by Lyra Riabov New Hampshire College Journal Spring 1998, Vol.,15,NO 1, pp Learning English and Cultural Adjustment