Raising Cultural Awareness Hana Moraova

Outline Meaning of gestures in cultures Hofstede’s dimensions of culture Importance of cross cultural approaches How to approach diversity Why do teachers not include multicultural issues Stereotypes, attitudes, prejudice Hidden curricula, cultural values, school materials Possible activities

Gestures, meaning and cultures https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRQSRed58XM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fa_GCK-Czqs (Examples of gestures)

Hofstede’s dimensions of cultures power distance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqaa42gbqhA individualism x collectivism https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CW7aWKXB5J4 Uncertainty avoidance index https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=757-r3qmcp8 Short term x long term orientation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeZHyFxlrFQ Masculinity vs. femininity index https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dAbK6IMrTc Indulgence vs. restraint https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gJzRS0I7tA (Hofstede’s dimensions)

The Growing Importance of Cross Cultural Approaches World as a global village, increasing diversity in society, schools and classrooms Constant and increasing interaction with people from other cultures Intercultural skills demanded by international companies and large business corporations Intercultural skills also needed in business, healthcare, politics, education, tourism etc. Being responsible citizen respecting others is one of 21st century skills

How to Approach Diversity proactive approach to acknowledging diversity and learning about its specific cultures to respect them Cooperation with parents Support from authorities Teacher training Making multicultural materials available No Child Left Behind

Why do teachers not include multicultural issues? 1) lack of resources that address culturally relevant and appropriate issues; 2) lack of opportunities for teaching professionals to receive training in the field and develop cultural awareness themselves; 3) in some cases apparent feeling that there is no need to explore cultural matters. 4) belief in society that minorities should be taught majority values and culture

Stereotypes, attitude, prejudice Stereotype: cognitive, a set of attributes that people think characterize a group Heterostereotype Autostereotype Attitude: valence of a stereotype Prejudice: affective, making a decision before becoming aware of the relevant facts of a case Discrimination: conative, the prejudicial and/or distinguishing treatment of an individual based on their actual or perceived membership in a certain group or category

Activities - Stereotypes Make them explicit, talk about their existence, silence never can never bring change “Measuring” stereotypes – careful selection of groups Not necessarily only about other nationalities, also professional groups Soldiers, teachers, female vs. male drivers Can be followed by a survey (e.g. statistical data about car accidents, who would we like to have for a neighbor, why etc.)

Heaven and hell Heaven is where the police are British, the cooks are French, the mechanics are German, the lovers are Italian and it is all organised by the Swiss. Hell is where the police are German, the cooks are English, the mechanics are French, the lovers are Swiss, and it is all organised by the Italians

Hidden curricula, cultural values, school materials Curricular content and minorities, discriminating Hidden curricula and culture Cultural reproduction, Bourdieu Images of minorities in the textbooks

Possible cross curricular activities Workshop of gastronomy Workshop of traditional products, toys Lessons of languages of minorities (e.g. a lesson of Turkish taught by a pupil) Presentations on customs and traditions Presentations on music, stories, books, fairytales, dancing in other nations Comparison of what and how is your subject taught in other countries Whole-class discussions with parents, representatives of minorities Family trees Storypaths

Possible activities in different subjects Maths: pose a problem in which traditions play roles Elementary Science: wedding ritual in your country, roles of family members, typical jobs, meal times and rituals Languages: presentation on the home country in English (French/German…) Biology: fauna and flora in your country Geography: weather, climate, natural heritage History Social Sciences History of a plant, of a tradition

Thank you for your attention