Presentation including activities for developing intercultural awareness to current and future English language teachers in Sweden.

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Crossing Cultures in the
Language Classroom
University West
October 20, 2015
Dr. Andrea DeCapua, MALP® LLC
New York University
Long Island University – Hudson
drandreadecapua@gmail.com

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3. What Kind of Asian Are You?
YOU TUBE VIDEO

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Ways of thinking and
understanding the world
are shaped by our cult7ral lenses

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Customs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSLPEwvVvN0

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Iceberg Model of Culture
assumptions about learning
assumptions about teachingconcept of time
Role of the grouprole of the individual
notions of personal space
food
architecture
musicclothing
holidays
literature
language
values
communicative behaviors

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Intercultural Communication
Framework (ICF)
• Establish and maintain an ongoing
two-way relationship
• Identify priorities in the different
cultures
• Make associations between the
strange and the familiar

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Establish and maintain a
relationship

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Identify Priorities in the
Different Cultures

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Make the Strange Familiar

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Make the Strange Familiar

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Intercultural Communication
Framework (ICF)
• Establish and maintain an ongoing
two-way relationship
• Identify priorities in the different
cultures
• Make associations between the
strange and the familiar

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Personal Space
https://youtu.be/NGVSIkEi3mM?t=2

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Activity: Talk, Talk, Talk
Source:
DeCapua, A., & Wintergerst, A. (2016). Crossing Cultures in the Language Classroom.
Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press

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Learning to Look
(see next slide)

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There were . . . one-handed American boxing gloves
[in the box]. On their back they had a kind of pocket
that was obviously designed for a hand. There were
spaces for fingers and the whole thing fit like an
enlarged, padded, expanded palm. The elongated
fingers were attached to one another by a system of
strings and, furthermore, the gloves could be worn on
one hand only—there were no pairs. We tried
everything—there was nothing that made any sense.
Finally, frustrated we decided that . . . boxing was
done one-handed, palm open, and by trying to slap
the opponent’s face while wearing one of these
gloves. We even tried to stage . . . “boxing” contests,
but it never really caught on. (Wall Street Journal, Monday, August 10, 1992, A14)

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Collectivism

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Individualism

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Other Worlds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKsX-rDBd3o

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Read the following list of tasks. Rank each task in the order you would be
willing to undertake each one (with 1 as least willing and 10 as most
willing).
——— 1. Asking someone you have just met how much money he or
she earns.
——— 2. Sharing with someone you have just met how much you
earn.
——— 3. Asking someone you have just met what his or her political
views are.
——— 4. Cheering loudly at a sporting event you are attending with
your family.
——— 5. Cheering loudly at a sporting event you are attending with
colleagues.
——— 6. Conversing quietly with your fellow student while the
teacher is talking.
——— 7. Asking for directions after getting lost.
——— 8. Describing your most embarrassing moment to the rest of
this class
——— 9. Sharing personal feelings with members of the opposite sex.
——— 10. Kissing a person’s cheek as a form of greeting.
!

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Critical Incidents
Source:
DeCapua, A., & Wintergerst, A. (2016). Crossing Cultures in the Language Classroom.
Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press

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Tips and Tricks
Based on today’s workshop and your
own experiences, make a list for
developing cross-cultural awareness.

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Thank You!
Andrea DeCapua, Ed.D.
drandreadecapua@gmail.com
Crossing Cultures in the Language Classroom. 2016 (2nd ed.).
AnnArbor, MI: University of Michigan Press