Language, Culture, and Identity: Culturally Speaking in the ELT Classroom

Language, Culture, & Identity:

Culturally Speaking in the ELT Classroom

profesorbaker@gmail.com

OutlineOutlinePart 1 – Theoretical basePart 1 – Theoretical basePart 2 – Practical applicationPart 2 – Practical applicationPart 3 – Activities to do with studentsPart 3 – Activities to do with students

PART I: PART I: Theory Theory

1. Economic1. Economic Level of Income Level of Income

2. Social2. Social Support Networks: Parents, Support Networks: Parents, peers, teachers, etc.peers, teachers, etc.

3a. Cultural3a. Cultural(embodied)(embodied)

Societal Norms: What Societal Norms: What behaviour is acceptable, what is behaviour is acceptable, what is not.not.

3b. Cultural3b. Cultural(objectified)(objectified)

Visual Realm: Objects / Art / Visual Realm: Objects / Art / Music, Food, Clothing, etc.Music, Food, Clothing, etc.

3c. Cultural3c. Cultural (institutionalized)(institutionalized)

How a culture promotes How a culture promotes achievementachievement

Influences on Language, Culture & Identity Influences on Language, Culture & Identity (Compton-Lilly 2009, Nunan 2009)(Compton-Lilly 2009, Nunan 2009)

Dialogue: A HamburgerDialogue: A Hamburger A: I would like a hamburger.A: I would like a hamburger. B: What?B: What? A: I would like to buy a hamburger?A: I would like to buy a hamburger? B: I do not understand you.B: I do not understand you. A: But my English is perfect.A: But my English is perfect. B: What?B: What? (A leaves without his hamburger)(A leaves without his hamburger)

Aadapted from Nunan, 2009

Language, Culture, IdentityLanguage, Culture, Identityuse all 8 intelligences.use all 8 intelligences.

Part 2: Part 2: Practical ApplicationPractical Application

The Power of PerceptionThe Power of Perception 1. Numbered Heads1. Numbered Heads 2. Think, Group, Share2. Think, Group, Share 3. Jigsaw3. Jigsaw 4. Plenary4. Plenary

Part 3:Part 3:Activities to do with studentsActivities to do with students

The Sphinx (2520 BC) & The Pyramid of Giza (2570 BC)

What cultural relevance does this monument have? Discuss.

Notre Dame Cathedral

A Cathedral ?

Rene Magritte: La Clairvoyance Rene Magritte: La Clairvoyance (1936)(1936)

Salvador Dali: Apparition with Bowl of Fruit (1938)

Matisse: Green Stripe (1905)

Which of these two pictures would you prefer to have in your house?

Van Eyck: Arnolfini Wedding (1434)

How does this wedding express Culture? Language?

Identity?

How is language being used here?How is language being used here?

F. Scott Hess: Soul (2006)

Final: Turn & TalkFinal: Turn & TalkShare with your partner.Share with your partner.

1.1. One thing you learned today.One thing you learned today.2.2. One thing you already knew.One thing you already knew.3.3. One thing you want to find out more One thing you want to find out more

about.about.

A Final WordA Final Word

Successful ly Successful ly speaking about speaking about Culture is not Culture is not easy, but. . .easy, but. . .

You Can Do It!