Job Discussion Forums

[cormac]

I did use the search but all I got were vague references.

Ok. I've been told that I'll have to teach some Culture classes in addition to my "normal" Oral English classes [University level]. However, I'm not really sure what that entails, and I'm getting the distinct feeling that the focus will be on American Culture (I'm Irish and have been to the States only a few times so my knowledge is rather limited).

I'm guessing that Culture class is taking something like Holidays, cultural norms, music etc and teaching the students what to expect when/if they go there...

Is that about it? Also wondering if these sort of classes would have the usual 40-50 numbers or be a presentation style with much larger numbers..?

Any info would be helpful. Thanks.

[dog backwards]

Take a look at how some dictionaries define culture:

1.the behaviors and beliefs characteristic of a particular social, ethnic, or age group

2. the sum total of ways of living built up by a group of human beings and transmitted from one generation to another.

The topic is a wide one.

I taught a class in "American Culture" and showed old advertisements from the '30's through the 2000's. That gave them an idea about how a certain western was portrayed by the media.

The next class was about the evolution of popular music.

The next class was about western art from pre-renaissance to present.

A good class takes a lot of preparation, so start thinking about what you want to present and discuss in class.

[randyj]

Teaching American culture presents a dilemma for you similar to what I experience when I am asked to teach English culture. Well, I have never been asked to teach Irish culture. Sorry.

One approach to guide you might take the form of preparing students for everything they need to know if they were suddenly transported to Ireland (or wherever). Granted only a few might one day study abroad, this provides a way for you the teacher to prepare some material. The students' final exam might take the form of a two-minute presentation on the subject of the adjustments they would need to make if they lived in Ireland.

When asked to teach English culture, I do not feel the need to apologize for my lack of intimate knowledge. I can only do the best I can, with the consoling thought that Anglo-American culture shares a lot of tradition.

[cormac]

I lived 2 years in Australia and another year in the UK, so I guess I can provide some insight there. There's also a growing trend of Chinese students coming to Ireland to study since the fees are lower than other western countries and it provides a gateway into Europe. My own little Irish town of 17k people has more than 2k Chinese (both students and working) living there.

I have to admit though that I wouldn't really know Irish Culture (with the exception of history). We tend to cannibalize other cultures especially that of the American and British.

Still it'll be interesting to teach this to others especially since I'll have to do some decent research myself first.

Do you find that most Universities will have PowerPoint interfaces/screens, or other such display interfaces to show images/video's/etc? The University I'll be teaching at has a rather good reputation amongst Chinese in Xi'an, but I don't know what kind of facilities it might have [or what be allocated to a FT].

[randyj]

[vikeologist]

Obviously I don't know exactly what your Uni wants you to teach, but this term I'm teaching a class on Intercultural Communication.

It's not just about Western culture; it's more widely about cultural communication. I'm using a book from Shanghai Foreign Language Education press called 'Intercultural Communication in English (Revised Edition).

I think what the students might want (in no particular order of importance) is

-How to deal with business customers from other countries (including Arab cultures, Japanese, South America etc. English is often the common language in these situations)

-How to make friends with foreigners (including bf/gf)

-Tips on how to adapt to culture shock should they go abroad

-The cultural elements of the English language, and what certain actions or phrases really mean. If a Japanese person says 'where are you going?', it's like a Chinese person saying 'have you eaten?'

This may make it sound very worthy, but there's plenty of fun to be had. However, don't simply limit yourself to the differences between China and one english speaking country, and please God don't deliver lectures on what you think USA culture is.

You could have debates, powerpoint presentations on different countries (done by the students, not you), role plays of funny / disasterous cultural clashes, watch bits of films like Crocodile Dundee or Japanese Story. I plan to check out a series I've never watched called little mosque on the prairie.

Lastly, though your culture and their culture may be the most interesting; including third party cultures can allow for a bit more freedom in discussion and lessen the risk of offending each other.

[dog backwards]

Why shy away from teaching Irish Culture? Usually, the "culture" courses just require that you teach "western" culture.

Ireland has a rich history. It has interesting art. FOLKLORE abounds. Several influential authors , poets, and playwrights hailed from Ireland. At least two of the west's most influential modern singers/songwriters/bands hail from Ireland.

Ireland isn't too far from England, and their histories and cultures are intertwined, so you could compare features of English culture to Irish culture of the same time periods.

You could even make comparisons of Irish politics and agriculture to China's of the same time period (i.e., the spread of English feudalism to Ireland).

You could get enough info with imagery and sound just from the internet.

[MisterButtkins]

To be honest if my boss asks me to teach a class on culture what I hear is "Talk about whatever the hell you want."

[the_otter]

[cormac]

Interesting Idea's. Thanks for the clarification on what Culture classes entail.

I probably have a fair amount of personal experience adjusting to different countries cultures, some of which would be of interest to them. In any case, the posts above have shown me that I don't need to worry about my lack of experience with the US. Plenty of other cultural aspects to cover, as long as I properly prepare for the classes...

Out of curiosity, apart from Politics, are there any definite no-no topics (or ones that the administration might disapprove of)? i.e. Abortion, Drug use, Prostitution, sex before marriage, etc?

Cheers.

[YankeeDoodleDandy]

Try Synge's Playboy of The Western World and how our fathers try to rule over us. Toss in Hugh Hefner and Playboy. Include Amy Chua's Tiger Mothers. Look at all of the other comments that other posters have stated and you have your syllabus. Check out www.xompist.com On Nationalities and Culture. YDD