Elizabeth Anderson Rethinking Cultural Awareness & Cultural Identity “You don’t put knowledge into people, you draw it out.” By: Neil Postman Saturday March 7, 2009 Project IMPACT Support Staff

Elizabeth Anderson Cultural Awareness… “Only an open mind still has room for new knowledge.”

Elizabeth Anderson  Have you ever wondered why a learner comes into your school with a poor attitude?  Have you ever wished that you did not have to deal with the parents of your learners because they are so hard to get along with?  Recall and describe one difficult incident that you had recently. Discussion topics

Elizabeth Anderson “My Brown Eyes”

Elizabeth Anderson Let’s play a game!  Cards 2,3, and 4 – You do not want to talk to these people.  Cards 7,8, and 9 – You moderately enjoy talking to them.  Jack, Queen, and King – You really enjoy talking to these people.

Elizabeth Anderson Virginia Collier’s model Acquiring a Second Language for School Language Development Social and Cultural Processes Cognitive Development Academic Development

Elizabeth Anderson What is the difference between culture and heritage?

Elizabeth Anderson Heritage… Practices that are passed down from preceding generations. Traditions

Elizabeth Anderson From what countries come the heritage/traditions of New Orleans’ families?  French  Spanish  Caribbean  African  German  Irish  Jewish  Italian

Elizabeth Anderson What is Culture? Culture is a set of common beliefs and values that is shared by a group of people and that binds them together into a society. All people are members of at least one culture. The norms of a culture define roles and provide a framework that makes people’s behavior predictable and understandable to one another. Sylvia Boynton, 1996

Elizabeth Anderson Cultural Factors  There are several major factors that influence the way we see our world and contribute to the many cultures we weave in and out of each day:

Elizabeth Anderson Factors that influence how we see our world and contribute to our “culture” Family Gender Race Age Sexual orientation Language Friends Religion School/Education Geography Income/Social Class Political Views Ethnicity Electronic Media Social Organizations Other…

Elizabeth Anderson Let’s look at our similarities and differences… Person 1 Person 2 similarities

Elizabeth Anderson  What are some benefits of living in a multicultural society?  What are some disadvantages of living in a multicultural society?

Elizabeth Anderson Cross-cultural misunderstandings arise when we interpret actions from another culture to have the same meaning as in our own culture. Example: lack of eye contact in Asian cultures signifies respect, but in the U.S. resistance, dishonesty, lack of attention.

Elizabeth Anderson Elements of Surface Culture  Food –(food and culinary contributions)  Holidays –(patriotic holidays, religious observances, and personal rites and celebrations)  Arts –(traditional and contemporary music, visual and performing arts, and drama)  Folklore –(folk tales, legends, and oral history)  History –(historical and humanitarian contributions, and social and political movements)  Personalities –(historical, contemporary, and local figures)

Elizabeth Anderson Deeper Parameters of Culture 1. Presence 2. Language 3. Gestures 4. Time Concept 5. Space 6. Bonding 7. Learning 8. Health 9. Resilience 10. Spirit 11. Play & Leisure 12. Ethics 13. Aesthetics 14. Values 15. Religion 16. Heroes & Myths 17. Sex Roles 18. Taboo 19. Grooming 20. Ownership 21. Subsistence 22. Precedence 23. Ceremony 24. Reward & Privileges 25. Rights & Duties 26. Interaction

Elizabeth Anderson We often assume that our way is the only way until we are confronted with another culture. tardinessclothing eye contacthandshaking mealsdating/marriage

Elizabeth Anderson Let’s imagine…

Elizabeth Anderson Values Line What do we as Americans believe?  Time: Belief in progress and the future. We can continue to improve on the present.  Activity: Actions speak louder than words. Individuals are defined by their achievements, not their spiritual goals.  Human Interaction: Individuality and human rights are valued. Competition is considered good and not destructive or anti-social.

Elizabeth Anderson American and World Cultures Let’s look at Relationships View of Self Family Dynamics

Elizabeth Anderson Relationships EASTERN Group-oriented Value cooperation Needs of others – placed ahead of one’s own Value authority Virtue-based Keep the peace Use a “smile” and a “nod” to keep harmony WESTERN Individualistic Competitive “Me First” mentality Value Equality Rights based Confront..Why? Use a “smile” to demonstrate happiness

Elizabeth Anderson View of Self EASTERN “Me” is part of a group Value social expectations & external pressure “Big self” (public self) Integral part of all things WESTERN “Me” the unique individual Value internal desires/feelings Individuality Master of nature (control)

Elizabeth Anderson View of Self EASTERN Value Zen – (harmony, calm, philosophy) *Self-sacrifice (virtue) Privacy has loose boundaries WESTERN Fulfillment of personal destiny Self-actualization is important to Individual Identity Right to privacy

Elizabeth Anderson Family Dynamics EASTERN Obedience to parents (Familial piety) Seek elder’s advice Males & females serve different roles Value duty & obligation to family WESTERN Children have their own rights Seek public information Value gender equality Value shared/equal responsibility among family

Elizabeth Anderson Cultural Awareness “Instead of being presented with stereotypes by age, sex, color, class, or religion, children must have the opportunity to learn that within each range, some people are loathsome and some are delightful.” By: Margaret Mead

Elizabeth Anderson Where do we begin? 1.) Ask questions. 2.) Clarify for meaning and/or understanding. 3.) Talk about differences. 4.) Expand to include.

Elizabeth Anderson What can we do? Develop an awareness of your own culture and heritage…

Elizabeth Anderson What can you do? Examine what you value and respect.

Elizabeth Anderson Keep up the dialogue.

Elizabeth Anderson Goals of Second Language and Multicultural Education  Teach ELLs to understand U.S. Culture.  Help ELLs achieve a personal comfort zone between their two cultures.  Teach all students to value language and cultural diversity.  Equitably educate diverse students.

Elizabeth Anderson “Children don’t fall through the cracks… they fall out of our hands.” Elizabeth Anderson Foreign Language Coordinator