- become aware of the
target-culture norms and behaviours
- understand better their own and other beliefs and values
- see beyond stereotypes and empathise with other cultures
Culture in our Classrooms contains three distinctive parts which focus in turn on theory, practice and development:
Part A: Examines definitions of culture. The authors examine the beliefs behind behaviours, and reflect on the inextricable link between culture and language - suggesting that culture as 'classroom content' involves students on many levels, enabling them to communicate about something deep, compelling and worthwhile.
Part B: Contains a wealth of activities which encourage critical thinking in students and communication between students. They involve students in reacting and reflecting, sharing and comparing - and are grouped into four chapters which foster cultural awareness, focus on the cultural connotations of language, formulate thinking frames for study and, finally, fix their attention on an English-speaking country.
Part C: Approaches culture in the context of Teacher Development and provides 16 practical exercises for staffroom sessions. The exercises span four major skill areas for personal and professional improvement - observation, listening, rapport building and empathy.