Korean Job Discussion Forums

Paji eh Wong · Joined: 03 Jun 2003

Hi.

So I've been handed a class called "American Culture". It's 5 one hour classes with 48 public school teachers and no text as of yet. I think admin wants me to go in there and lecture them on American culture, which I don't think is a good use of time. Lecturing is a terrible way to learn anything and I think teaching them intercultural communication skills would be of more value.

1) Any suggestions on how to organize the class? Content? I'm already batting around ideas about time. Monochronic vs polychronic.

2) Any recommended reading? Authors? Textbooks?

If you help me out, I promise to report back on how things went.

Cheers.

Jizzo T. Clown · Joined: 27 Mar 2006 Location: at my wit's end

Wow, that's the broadest subject I've ever seen! Maybe one class you could have "American Culture through film," where you show scenes of "stereotypical America" from various movies and discuss how real life is different or the same.

Or you could show clips from films 80, 50, 30, 20 years ago and from modern films and discuss the progression (or digression) of Hollywood throughout the years, as well as what was happening in America during each time frame. Maybe some interesting discussions will arise from 1950s America and the role of women in society at that time? Think Donna Reed or Leave it to Beaver...

What level are your students? I'm presuming they're pretty high?

fwiw, the book "American Ways" is great for teaching foreigners about our culture.

Follow the link then click "look inside this book" for some topics.

Paji eh Wong · Joined: 03 Jun 2003

ajuma · Joined: 18 Feb 2003 Location: Anywere but Seoul!!

Look for the book "Ugly Koreans, Ugly Americans" to use as a textbook. It's in English and Korean so the lower-level students can still follow along. The book is only W5000, so it won't break anyone and it's got a lot of good stuff. Some of the things are NOT true and it MIGHT generate some discussion...or at least you can ask "Do YOU think this is ok?"

I've used this for a class of 45-50 uni students with GREAT success!!

(PS: I googled it, but couldn't come up with anything...not even an author! It's by an American and a Korean....sorry I can't help more...just found the Korean author:Kim Byeong Chul...)

bacasper · Joined: 26 Mar 2007

pkang0202 · Joined: 09 Mar 2007

I still got all my powerpoint files/lectures from my Intercultural class. Its about 6 months old. Let me know if you want them.

I even have my study guide for the midterm exams. PM me your e-mail and I'll ZIP it all up and send it to you.

ddeubel · Joined: 20 Jul 2005

pkang,

That's the spirit, glad to see you sharing. Helps out other teachers immensely, pooling resources and also actually talking about them - their effectiveness, how to alter for differing levels/learners.

If you wish and others also, we have an unlimited file storage account at my community below. Members can just upload to a folder with their name or a category and share. Notify others in the community. Come Sept. lots of changes, at the moment, slowly getting it rolling.

Pm me or join below, if interested in sharing and creating a community around teaching resources/access.

DD

spliff · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

Yeah show that film w/ Jeff Spicoli...that might answer a lot of questions about English teachers here... Very Happy

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

Only 5 one-hour classes? Google up the Peace Corps 'Culture Matters' trainer. It gives a quick and easy background on comparative culture, it has communication exercises, and the focus is on the U.S. Might work out well for the small amount of time you have in the classroom, and students like the on-line approach. Just a though.

Paji eh Wong · Joined: 03 Jun 2003

Thanks for all the feedback.