FISH OUT OF WATER

WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN? On your graphic organizer, answer the questions: What does “fish out of water” mean? Have you ever felt like a “fish out of water”? Why? Discuss responses with your group.

A FISH OUT OF WATER MEANS: Completely unfamiliar with one's surroundings or activity THIS IS EXACTLY HOW OUR ELLs FEEL! They have to adapt to their new surroundings..

Whenever someone travels overseas they are like "a fish out of water Whenever someone travels overseas they are like "a fish out of water." Like the fish, they have been swimming in their own culture all their lives. A fish doesn't know what water is. Likewise, we often do not think too much about the culture we are raised in. Our culture helps to shape our identity. Many of the cues of interpersonal communication (body language, words, facial expressions, tone of voice, idioms, slang) are different in different cultures. One of the reasons that we feel like a fish out of water when we enter a new culture, is that we do not know all of the cues that are used in the new culture.

WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN? This is called ACCULTURATION Acculturation is a process in which members of one cultural group adopt the beliefs and behaviors of another group. Assimilation of one cultural group into another may be evidenced by changes in language preference, adoption of common attitudes and values, membership in common social groups and institutions, and loss of separate political or ethnic identification. Cultural assimilation, the process whereby a minority group gradually adapts to the customs and attitudes of the prevailing culture and customs.

IT’S YOUR TURN On your graphic organizer, define in your own words acculturation Share your definition with the group

ELLs must adjust to their new environment ELLs must adjust to their new environment. The ideal of cultural adjustment or “culture shock” was first introduced by Kalvero Oberg in 1954. Culture shock is the emotional and sometimes even physical discomfort people feel when they have to leave everything familiar behind and have to find their way in a new culture that has a different way of life and a different mindset. Overcoming culture shock takes time and can't happen over night. Adjusting to a new culture occurs in stages. FILL IN GRAPHIC ORGANIZER AS WE PROCEED….

STAGES OF ACCULTURATION OR CULTURE SHOCK STAGE 1: HONEYMOON STAGE How do newlyweds feel on their honeymoon? This is exactly how ELLs feel at this stage of acculturation.

STAGE 1: Honeymoon Stage This stage is marked by enthusiasm and excitement. ELLs may be very positive about the culture and express being overwhelmed with their impressions particularly because they find the culture exotic and fascinating. This is similar to how a person feels when they have just been hired for a new position.

STAGE 2: Hostility Stage In this stage, anything and everything in the new culture becomes annoying and or tiresome. ELLs find the behavior of others unusual and unpredictable. They begin to stereotype and idealize their own culture. ELLs experience cultural confusion and communication difficulties. Feelings of boredom, lethargy, restlessness, irritation, antagonism, depression and feelings of ineptitude are very common. ELLs may withdraw because of feelings of loneliness and anxiety. (Like a teacher during the first few weeks of school.)

STAGE 3: Home Stage ELLs achieve a sense of understanding of the new culture. They feel more comfortable living in the new country and experiencing the new culture. They regain their sense of humor. They feel a sense of emotional balance. They develop feelings of direction. ELLs are culturally stable.

STAGE 4: Assimilation Stage ELLs realize the new culture has positives as well as negatives to offer. Integration patterns and practices displayed become apparent. ELLs develop a solid feeling of belonging. They begin to enjoy the new culture and function easily in the new environment ELLs may even adopt cultural practices of the new culture.

AN ADDITIONAL STAGE: SOME GROUPS HAVE ADDED AN ADDITIONAL STAGE: Re-Entry Shock Stage: ELL returns to old culture and notices how many things have changed in the country as well as how they themselves have changed. ELLs develop a new sense of appreciation and of belonging to the new culture.

Use the CLUES and your graphic organizer to name the stage: 1. ELLs have more constructive attitudes and feel less anxious; speak better English and understand more; try new behaviors and test limits. This is stage # ______. Discuss with group if you need to.

Use the CLUES and your graphic organizer to name the stage: 2. ELLs feel excitement, idealism, and eagerness; have some anxiety about future; feel optimistic about the new country and new opportunities. This is stage # ______. Discuss with group if you need to.

Use the CLUES and your graphic organizer to name the stage: 3. ELLs feel that their emotional equilibrium is restored; show humor and trust; be able to value both old and new cultures. This is stage # ______. Discuss with group if you need to.

Use the CLUES and your graphic organizer to name the stage: 4. ELLs experience confusion, misunderstandings, and anxiety; see themselves as “observers”; feel depressed and isolated; demonstrate withdrawal, alienation, and in some cases, aggressive behavior; avoid contact with the mainstream culture or community. This is stage # ______. Discuss with group if you need to.

REVIEW Turn and tell your neighbor what Acculturation is. Name the 4 stages of acculturation and what happens at each: 1. 3. 2. 4.

REFRENCES Kersaint,G., Thompson, D. & Petkova, M. (2009). Teaching Mathematics to English Language Learners. New York: Routledge. http://www.rice.edu/projects/HispanicHealth/Acculturation.html http://www.lessonplanspage.com/printables/PLASSESLCultureShockAFishOutOfWater8.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assimilation http://www.dsbn.edu.on.ca/Curr/English/highlights1-8.htm