ELP-TT Training teachers to use the European Language Portfolio Short-term project ELP_TT2 Project coordinator: Margarete Nezbeda, Austria

ELP-TT ELP and intercultural aspects Based on a workshop held by Dick Meijer in Skopje (adapted by Margarete Nezbeda)

ELP-TT ELP and interculturality In Principles and Guidelines (2000) the ELP 'reflects the Council of Europe's concern with … respect for diversity and ways of life‘. ELP is a 'tool to promote plurilingualism and pluriculturalism‘.

ELP-TT Some definitions: „Big C“ Culture versus „little c“ culture (Halverson, 1985) „Collective programming of the mind which distinguishes the members of one group or category of people from another.“ (Hofstede)  „Pyramid model“: 3 levels: universal – cultural - personal

ELP-TT Some definitions: „Iceberg analogy“ (Brembeck): Only the tip is visible (e.g. language, food, appearance…) – biggest part: invisible (communication style, attitudes, beliefs, values, perception…) „Culture hides more than it reveals…“ (Hall, 1959)

ELP-TT Some definitions: Enculturation: cultural learning in a native context Acculturation: cultural learning in a non- native context  „culture bumps“ and „culture shock“ may occur

ELP-TT Some more definitions Multicultural (society): Different cultures exist side by side vs. pluricultural: A person becomes pluricultural when she/he has gained access to more than one culture Intercultural situation: two or more pluricultural individuals interact Intercultural communicative competence (ICC) = „the ability to cope with one‘s own cultural background in interaction with others“ (Beneke, 2000)

ELP-TT What does intercultural awareness mean? Intercultural awareness includes an awareness of … diversity. Intercultural skills and know-how include: –Ability to bring culture of origin and foreign culture into relation with each other –Cultural sensitivity/ability for a variety of strategies for contact –The role of cultural intermediary –Ability to overcome stereotyped relationships (Common European Framework of Reference, 2001)

ELP-TT The challenge of intercultural competence Note: Cultural knowledge is not the same as intercultural competence (Little/Simpson, 2003) Intercultural competence needs relevant cultural knowledge (including knowledge of culture of origin) Intercultural competence also depends on other factors (e.g. the individual’s affective and attitudinal orientation and personal skills) It is difficult to judge one’s own intercultural competence

ELP-TT ELP and intercultural aspects Language Passport reports …. significant language and intercultural learning experiences. Language Biography is organised to promote plurilingualism … Dossier offers the opportunity to select materials to document and illustrate … experiences (Principles and Guidelines, 2004)

ELP-TT Role of the ELP ELP could and should play an important role in stimulating thinking about: –Cultural differences –Reflexion on experiences (in terms of location and intensity) Location: work, travel,study Intensity: frequency, duration, involvement, significance for oneself. (Little and Simpson, 2003)

ELP-TT Recording and reflecting intercultural experiences Questions to be considered in order to record intercultural experiences in the ELP: –Where, with whom and in what context (location)? –What kind of experience (intensity)? –What was my response? –Why did I respond the way I did?

ELP-TT In the classroom Possibilities of bringing the target culture into the classroom: –Native speakers (neighbourhood, international companies, language assistants) –Media (journals, newspapers, internet) –Correspondence projects ( , letters, chat- sessions) –Virtual exchanges –Simulations But: Take account of cultural similarities and do not just focus on cultural differences!

ELP-TT Task: Think of the differences and similarities among your grandparents, your parents and yourself concerning: –Familiy and generational relationships –Gender roles –Religion –Politics –…–… Talk about it with your group (Cf. Bernaus, Mercé, The „transmission“ of culture, p. 46, adapted.)

ELP-TT References Bernaus, Mercé et al. (eds.), Plurilingual and pluricultural awareness in language teacher education. A training kit. Graz: ECML. Council of Europe. Groenewold,P.,1997:'Land in Sicht'. Landeskunde als Dialog der Identitäten am Beispiel des deutschen-niederländischen Begegnungsdiskurses, Groningen. [Dialogue of identities: Dutch-German imagological discourse]. Lázár, Ildiko et al. (eds.), Developing and assessing intercultural communicative competence. A guide for language teachers and teacher educators. Graz: ECML, Council of Europe. Little,D. and B.Simpson, European Language Portfolio. The intercultural component and Learning how to learn. Strasbourg: Council of Europe. Schneider,G. and P.Lenz, European Language Portfolio: Guide for developers. Strasbourg: Council of Europe.