Introducing Intercultural Content to Senior High English Class: An Example for Taiwanese Context Gateway 5 Cindy Lee

Contents Preface Challenges Principles of Lesson Plan Example Lesson Plan Resources

Preface This session provides an initial attempt to introduce a self-designed lesson plan for senior high school context. Welcome you to try out the sample syllabus and share your experience!

Challenges How to insert new cultural elements into the fixed syllabus? How to attract students’ interest in learning cultural content above grammar and vocabulary? How to squeeze the new cultural activity in the already tight schedule?

Principles of Lesson Plan (1) Here the lesson plan is based on two teaching methods: TBLT and CBI. Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT) Activities that involve real communication are essential for language learning. Activities in which language is used for carrying out meaningful tasks promote learning.

Principles of Lesson Plan (2) Content-Based Instruction (CBI) The students learn the language as a by-product of learning about real-world content. Students use the language as a means of acquiring information, rather than as an end in itself. For example, students learn about history, science, etc. in English.

Principles of Lesson Plan (3) Objectives- Learning by Doing Encourage students to participate in activities and collect relevant material Enhance students’ four skills through various communicative tasks Help students acquire cultural ‘knowledge’

Sample Lesson Plan – (1) Topic: Holiday and Celebrations Example Textbook: Far East English Reader Sample Unit: Lesson 1- Valentine’s Day in Book II Time for the task: Students’ preparation: 3-4 hours (pre-class) Students’ presentations: 40-45 minutes (in class) Teacher’s comment: 5 minutes (in class)

Sample Lesson Plan – (2) Pre-class Task 1.Divide students into several groups (5-6 people in one group) 2. Each group choose one country under three categories: English-speaking country, non-English speaking country and Taiwan 3. After decide the country, each group select one interesting festival or holiday there for later 5-minute presentation

Sample Lesson Plan – (3) Requirements of Presentation Each group has to introduce the selected festival to the rest of class by answering following questions: What was the origin of the festival? How did people celebrate it in the past? What does the festival mean to the modern people? How do people celebrate it nowadays? Each group has to prepare an ‘visual aid’ for the presentation. It can be: A poster, photos, relevant pictures, objects, video tape or a role play, etc.

Sample Lesson Plan – (4) Forms of Presentation Oral Presentation: The group members deliver a speech with the visual aid in turn Role Play: Group members use costume or properties for stage play to demonstrate the celebration Story Telling: One of the group members acts as a narrator and others play the origin of the festival.

Example Lesson Plan - (5) In-class Activity Students’ presentations 30-40 minutes (subject to the size of class) Each group has about five minutes. Before presentations, the teacher could inform the class about the further discussion afterwards. Attention is required. Students are encouraged to speak English, but of course, this is also subject to the class’ overall language proficiency.

Example Lesson Plan - (5) In-class Comment & Reflection Teacher’s comments (10 minutes) 2-1 Give positive comments to every group’s performance 2-2 More importantly, ask students to compare and contrast the foreign and Taiwanese festivals 2-3 Possible questions for reflection are: -What do foreign and Taiwanese people care through these festivals? (values) -Why do/don’t Taiwanese people do the same thing like the foreigner (give one example)? (Life styles)

Example Lesson Plan - (6) Teaching Notes The answer to the question for reflection can be an open or negotiated one. Students should be encouraged to make assumption. The point is to lead students to be aware of cultural values and intercultural differences. A teacher is unlikely to know ‘everything’ about world festivals and cultures! It is also a great opportunity for you to ‘learn by teaching’!

Example Lesson Plan - (6) Resources Students should be encouraged to do research in the library. Information about festivals can be easily found in various travel guides of international countries, 光華雜誌, 空中英語 教室, etc. Another option is to use the Internet. Useful links can be found on this website. Some information about Taiwan in English can refer to 交通部觀光局 http://tiscsvr.tbroc.gov.tw/en/ which also provides relevant photos.

Resources http://www.etweb.fju.ed.tw/culture More lesson plans in [Pedagogy] and the Internet resources in [Links] can be found in this website. You are welcome to use the lesson plans and modify them to fit your your need! You may have even more or better ideas about how to teach intercultural competence. Look forward to hearing from your experiences or comments!

End Thanks!