1 of 12

Language and Culture in the Classroom

Naseh Shahri

Seyma Toker

Jade Sandbulte

Department of Applied Linguistics

2 of 12

Introductions

Activity 1: Stereotypes

Think of stereotypes of your “culture” (however you define it!).
Pick one that applies to you and another that doesn’t. Share them with your partner.

Activity 1: Stereotypes

Think of stereotypes of your “culture” (however you define it!).
Pick one that applies to you and another that doesn’t. Share them with your partner.
Which one was harder to pick? Why?

Towards a fluid understanding of culture and language in language education

Stereotypes are easy to fall into because they are everywhere from public discourses to textbooks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=337&v=opBfHXePM2Y
They fixate the definition of “the other”, allowing no room for negotiation.
Use stereotypes not to judge your students (both ELLs and local students) but use them in your classes to problematize the fixed understanding of “culture” and give your students a space to accommodate, negotiate, or resist these stereotypes.

Activity 1: Stereotpes

Culture in the classroom

Cultures are patterns of behaviors that we gain through experiences and influence how we perceive ourselves and others.
However, these patterns are dynamic and multiple, changing over time and space in our interactions with others.
Keep in mind that

culture is not bound by a particular race, ethnicity, nation, language, or religion.
racial/ethnic, gender and religious differences can easily be disguised as “cultural” differences. Those differences do not equate to cultural differences.

Activity 2: Classroom Videos

Discussion Questions

What do you notice that is happening in the classrooms?
How are they similar or different from each other and/or your experience in the classroom?
Is learning happening here? How is this related to different layers of culture?
How might this impact your students who come from different backgrounds?

Activity 3 - Classroom interactions

Social Influences

Mindy and Deena grew up being socialized differently.
According to the researcher (Michaels, 1986), the students demonstrated two different discourse styles

Even if students can recognize a discourse pattern, they may have trouble adopting the pattern if it differs from the patterns they use.
What could the teacher have done to work with Deena instead of stopping her?

So what do we do?

Thank you!