INTERCULTURAL COMPETENCE: IMPLEMENTATION to English Language Teaching

Feruza Masharipova

What is culture?

“Culture is the distinctive life-way of a people united by a common language and governed by rules and models for their beliefs and behaviour.” (Julie Henry)

What is Intercultural

Competence?

“Intercultural Competence is the ability to communicate successfully with people of other cultures

What is Culture Shock?

“Culture Shock” describes the impact of moving from a familiar to one which is unfamiliar. It is an experience described by people who have travelled abroad to work, live or study; it can be felt to a certain extent even when abroad on holiday. It includes the shock of a new environment, meeting lots of new people and learning the ways of different country.

“Big C” (achievement culture) – the culture, which focuses on the products and contributions of a society and its outstanding individuals.

“Little c” (behaviour culture) – the culture, which includes culturally-influenced beliefs and perceptions

“Big C” and “Little c”

Final arts Literature Music Drama Folk-dancing DressCooking Traditions Games

Conception of Beauty Approaches to problem solving

Notions of leadership Ideals governing children raising

Relationship to animals Attitudes to the dependents

Definition of sin Conception of “self”

Elements of culture

Behaviourslanguage

body-languagecustomshabitsdress

eating and drinkingleisure

IdeasBeliefsValues

Institutions

SCENARIO 1.

A teacher from Uzbekistan is invited to teach Uzbek in western university. During the lesson one student stands up and leaves the classroom. The teacher is confused and gets furious about the “unacceptable” behaviour and is going to report to the university administration.

Discuss in pairs:1. What is the problem here?2. What would you do in this situation?

SCENARIO 2.

A student from Uzbekistan studying in the UK University approaches the academic advisor to speak about his test results. The advisor steps back keeping her arms folded every time the student steps closer to her. The student is confused and considers her actions rude and unacceptable.

Discuss in pairs:1. What is the problem here?2. What is the reason of misunderstanding?

FIVE ELEMENTS OF INTERCULTURAL COMPETENCE

AttitudesKnowledgeSkills of interpreting and relatingSkills of discovery and interactionCritical cultural awareness

AIMS OF THE ACTIVITIES

pedagogy

culturelanguage

IMPLEMENTING INTERCULTURAL COMPETENCE

PRESETT COURSES THAT DEAL WITH INTERCULTURAL COMPETENCE:

Courses directly focusing on IC:•Integrated Skills, Year 1 (Inside Out textbook)•Integrated Skills, Year 2•Intercultural Competence•Teaching Intercultural Competence

PRESETT COURSES THAT INCLUDE ELEMENTS OF INTERCULTURAL COMPETENCE:

• Reading• Writing• Listening and Speaking• Vocabulary• Discourse Analysis• English as an International Language

THE AIM of Intercultural Competence

to develop intercultural competence alongside language skills in future teachers of English…

HOW IS IT ACHIEVED?

Intercultural Awareness Raising Activities Intercultural Competence Developing

Activities Authentic Tasks/ Materials Projects (short-term and long-term)

WORK ON TRANSFERABLE SKILLS

- problem solving (through a variety of tasks)

- team work (through group work and pair-work)

- research skills (through preparation of projects)

- presentation skills (through practice in class)

- critical thinking (through engaging with ideas in

texts, internet)

WORK ON INTERCULTURAL AWARENESS SKILLS

-observing, identifying and recognising- comparing and contrasting- negotiating meaning- dealing with or tolerating ambiguity- effectively interpreting messages- defending one's own point of view while acknowledging the legitimacy of others - accepting difference

TOPIC: UZBEKISTAN AND THE WORLD

Suggested Projects

1. Guidebook for visitors: “Welcome to Uzbekistan”

2. Tourism fair “Discover Uzbekistan”

SUGGESTED INTERCULTURAL AWARENESS ACTIVITIES

1. Students read and evaluate articles or

extracts from books, newspapers, magazines

or websites written by foreigners who have

visited their town, country or region.

SUGGESTED INTERCULTURAL AWARENESS ACTIVITIES

2. Ss prepare some guidelines for foreign

guests who are visiting Uzbekistan for the

first time stating the kind of behaviour

expected from guests and the things that

should be avoided in Uzbek culture

RESOURSES

• Images (photos, pictures, posters, caricatures, maps, signs…)

• Video/audio materials (films, TV shows…)

• Texts (stories, novels, internet texts, adverts, brochures…)

WHO IS THE PROJECT ABOUT?

Their faces bear wisdom of experiences and time. Their stories transport us to the times when life was different and maybe more simple. They are people who helped create the world as we know it today. And yet, many face loneliness and their smiles fade as we rush to live our lives without having time to devote to them. Who are they?

PHOTOS

Commonalities and Differences

• Where/How do these senior citizens live?• Does being a senior citizen have high or

low status in this culture?• How do they support themselves?• How do they pass the time?• Who helps senior citizens?• What makes them different/similar?

VIDEO/AUDIO

• e.g. A video of the interview by Norine Dresser, folklorist on the issue “How should I treat elderly members of other cultures?”

DOCUMENTARY/ADS

INTERNET TEXTS

“Oldest Man in the World, a Citizen of Uzbekistan (T. Yusupova) (April, 2011)

IMAGES

Commonality and differences

Know yourself and respect others!

Target Language

Vocabulary: key vocabulary of Camp Rock

Grammar aspects:Tense/aspect/voice/types of pronouns/etc

Listening: the phrases which are being used nowadays

Speaking: Analyzing/Discussion/presenting

Camp Rock Movie is based on Youth Life and Summer Rock Camp Activities

Target Content is followings:

Working on vocabulary and grammar/ Listening to the phrases which are related to Camp/youth life in the US and based on Tense/aspect/voice/types of pronouns/etc /analyzing, Speaking and debating about Camp Rock.

Objectives:

By the end of the lesson students will:

Be able to analyze and think critically about Camp and youth life

Be able to use

appropriate vocabulary about Camp and youth life

Have Developed

independent and cooperative learning.