Culture Studies in Intensive
English Program
Exploration of the best possible solutions for the Culture Studies
curriculum for the Intensive English program of ILE
SAP AY 2007-2008
Professor Lyra Riabov
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Approach:
• Definition of Culture
• Learning Culture for life adjustment for
immigrants and refugees
• Learning Culture for conducting business
internationally
• Learning Culture for mastering a
second/foreign language
• Comparative Culture learning process
effects
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Approach:
• Learning Culture for practical applications and
improvement of four basic language skills: speaking,
listening comprehension, reading and writing
• Learning Culture for the ability to understand, interpret
and use vocabulary, idioms, slang, jargon, inferences,
connotations, and humor
• Learning Culture for the ability to communicate in daily
life, academic and business environment, media, and
entertainment
• Underestimation of the need to learn Culture as an
integral component of English language learning in nonEnglish speaking countries
• The role of technology in learning Culture
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Recommended reading:
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Alvino E. Fantini, Editor New Ways in
Teaching Culture TESOL Publications
,1997
Mike Levy, Culture, Culture Learning
and new Technologies: Towards a
Pedagogical Framework, Language
Learning & Technology
Vol.11, No.2, June 2007, pp. 104-127
Atkinson, D. (1999). TESOL and
Culture. TESOL Quarterly, 33(4), 625654.
Baldwin, J. R., Faulkner, S. L., &
Hecht, M. L. (2006). A moving target:
The illusive definition of culture. In J.
R. Baldwin, S. L. Faulkner, M. L. Hecht
& S. L. Lindsley (Eds.), Redefining
culture: Perspectives across the
disciplines (pp. 3-26). Mahwah, NJ:
Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Baldwin, J. R., Faulkner, S. L., Hecht,
M. L., & Lindsley, S. L. (Eds.) (2006).
Redefining culture: Perspectives
across the disciplines. Mahwah, NJ:
Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
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Althen, Gary, Recurring Issues in
Intercultural Communication. Learning
Across Washington, DC NAFSA,
1994
Altten, Gary, American Ways
Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press,
1988
Paige, Michael Education for the
Intercultural Experience 2nd ed.
Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press,
1993
Bennett, Janet and Bennett Milton,
Multiculturalism and International
Education: Domestic and International
Differences. Learning across Cultures,
Washington, DC: NAFSA, 1994
Mestenhauser, Josef A. “Concepts
and Theories of Culture Learning”
Culture Learning and the Disciplines
Washington, DC, NAFSA, 1988
Learning English and Cultural
Adjustment by Lyra Riabov
New Hampshire College Journal
Spring 1998, Vol.,15,NO 1, pp.84-92
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Faculty Surveys
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Faculty Survey Blank Form
Faculty Survey 1
Faculty Survey 2
Faculty Survey 3
Faculty Survey 4
Faculty Survey 5
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Faculty Survey 6
Faculty Survey 7
Faculty Survey 8
Faculty Survey 9
Faculty Survey 10
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Students Surveys
• Students Survey Blank Form
• Students Surveys Summary with comments
• Students Surveys Summary Charts
• Culture Courses Descriptions and Syllabi AY 2007- 2008
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IEP Culture Studies Curriculum Development
Recommendations:
• Constantly compare US culture vs. students native
country culture
• Teach all four basic language skills
• Consider sequence of levels of language competency
• Focus on active involvement of student in meaningful
activities
• Consider Project based approach (group or individual):
(See Samples of Project Assignments and Students
presentations)
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Types of Assignments
– reading,
– listening,
– analyzing,
– research,
– discussion
forums,
– presentation
skills,
– organizing
ideas,
– role plays,
– interviews,
– basic computer
skills,
– learning to
evaluate
resources,
– deliver
presentations
(short or long)
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Resources for learning
• text books,
• teacher developed
course packs,
• media (CDs, DVDs,
TV programs, the
Internet, CALL
materials, films, and
virtual presentations:
web casts, and pod
casts),
• real life encounters:
interviews,
• combined classes,
activities with
domestic students,
and field trips
See the models and
project assignment
for combined classes
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Summary Recommendations
• All Syllabi and descriptions need revision and improvement following
a revised Culture Studies Curriculum
• Consider consistency from L 2 - L 7 in the selection of topics for
discussion
• Consider consistency in selection of language skills based on the
level of language competency according to the selected sources of
information
• Follow either a series of text books, or develop a course pack that
reflects curriculum requirement for the course.
• Identify your additional material used in the syllabus weekly
assignments
• Make sure that copyrights are considered
• Specify your project assignments, all quizzes and tests in the syllabi
• Consider field trips as a source of culture for language learning
• Specify what technology resources you use for your projects
• Using films and other media, make sure that your assignments are
geared towards culture/language learning and not as a time filler
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