Cultura is an intercultural project that connects groups of students online to help them understand each other’s culture. A Cultura exchange is typically based in a language class and involves two partner teachers and two groups of students from two different cultures. This activity allows the students to compare their own culture with the target culture and to reflect upon themselves as intercultural speakers.
Learning outcomes
Following this activity students will:
- become aware of the values, attitudes, beliefs, and concepts inherent in another culture;
- understand the concept and importance of becoming an intercultural speaker;
- see the world from a different perspective.
Learning context
This activity can be implemented with third Level Language students. For comparative purposes, this activity could be carried out prior to and following their Mobility Programme.
Procedure
To begin the activity ask students to visit the Cultura Project Webpage: http://cultura.mit.edu/.
Note: There is no requirement to set up an account to view the archived discussions.
- Click on the ‘past exchanges’ section from the menu bar
- Access the archived exchanges by clicking on “Answers & Discussion” for the topic of your choice.
- Read through the opening sentence and the responses from both exchange groups.
- Discuss the responses and the entries in the comments section with your students through online discussion boards, in class, or through a web-based questionnaire.
- Reflect on the responses with your students. The following are some suggested themes:
- What cultural aspects were discussed in this particular interaction?
- What did you learn?
- Were you surprised by any comment?
- What do you understand by the term “intercultural speaker“?
Integrate search and filtering literacies
Ask the students to search for the term “intercultural speaker” using search engines in the first language and target language, using text in both the first language and the target language. Compare the results.
Agree on what characteristics an intercultural speaker needs to have by filtering the information from the search results. When the students have gathered their list of characteristics of an intercultural speaker, discuss the topic in class and reflect on the importance of having these skills and attitudes during their Mobility Programme.
Suggested extension to this activity
Ask students to create a poster in their target language using Padlet. The students could work collaboratively to design and create a poster detailing the characteristics of an intercultural speaker, using their own research as a reference.
This activity could be carried out prior to the Mobility Programme and reflected upon on their return from their time abroad, comparing the differences between the list and the cultural stereotypes.
Source/attribution: DigiLanguages Author: Marta Giralt
<a href=”http://cultura.mit.edu/what-is-cultura” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer” data-mce-href=”http://cultura.mit.edu/what-is-cultura”>Cultura</a> is an intercultural project that connects groups of students online to help them understand each other’s culture. A Cultura exchange is typically based in a language class and involves two partner teachers and two groups of students from two different cultures. This activity allows the students to compare their own culture with the target culture and to reflect upon themselves as intercultural speakers.<strong>Learning outcomes</strong>Following this activity students will:<li>become aware of the values, attitudes, beliefs, and concepts inherent in another culture;</li><li>understand the concept and importance of becoming an intercultural speaker;</li><li>see the world from a different perspective.</li>
<strong>Learning context</strong>This activity can be implemented with third Level Language students. For comparative purposes, this activity could be carried out prior to and following their Mobility Programme.<strong>Procedure</strong>To begin the activity ask students to visit the Cultura Project Webpage: <a href=”http://cultura.mit.edu/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer” data-mce-href=”http://cultura.mit.edu/”>http://cultura.mit.edu</a><a href=”http://cultura.mit.edu/” data-mce-href=”http://cultura.mit.edu/”>/</a>.<strong>Note: </strong>There is no requirement to set up an account to view the archived discussions.<img class=” wp-image-2942 aligncenter” src=”https://www.digilanguages.ie/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Cultura-Screenshot-menu-bar.png” alt=”cultura-screenshot-menu-bar” width=”804″ height=”126″ data-mce-src=”https://www.digilanguages.ie/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Cultura-Screenshot-menu-bar.png” /><li>Click on the ‘past exchanges’ section from the menu bar</li><li>Access the archived exchanges by clicking on “Answers & Discussion” for the topic of your choice.</li><li>Read through the opening sentence and the responses from both exchange groups.<img class=”wp-image-2946 alignnone” src=”https://www.digilanguages.ie/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Cultura-Screenshot-Exchange-sample.png” alt=”cultura-screenshot-sample exchange” width=”619″ height=”297″ data-mce-src=”https://www.digilanguages.ie/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Cultura-Screenshot-Exchange-sample.png” /></li><li>Discuss the responses and the entries in the comments section with your students through online discussion boards, in class, or through a web-based questionnaire.</li><li>Reflect on the responses with your students. The following are some suggested themes:<ul><li>What cultural aspects were discussed in this particular interaction?</li><li>What did you learn?</li><li>Were you surprised by any comment?</li><li>What do you understand by the term “<a href=”http://languageeducation.pbworks.com/w/page/47700811/Intercultural%20Speakers” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer” data-mce-href=”http://languageeducation.pbworks.com/w/page/47700811/Intercultural%20Speakers”>intercultural speaker</a>”?</li>
</ul>
</li>
<strong>Integrate <a href=”/search-literacy-what-is-it/?role=11&subCategory=55&workPackage=45″ target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer” data-mce-href=”/search-literacy-what-is-it/?role=11&subCategory=55&workPackage=45″>search</a> and filtering literacies</strong>Ask the students to search for the term “<a href=”http://languageeducation.pbworks.com/w/page/47700811/Intercultural%20Speakers” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer” data-mce-href=”http://languageeducation.pbworks.com/w/page/47700811/Intercultural%20Speakers”>intercultural speaker</a>” using search engines in the first language and target language, using text in both the first language and the target language. Compare the results.Agree on what characteristics an intercultural speaker needs to have by filtering the information from the search results. When the students have gathered their list of characteristics of an intercultural speaker, discuss the topic in class and reflect on the importance of having these skills and attitudes during their <a href=”/pre-mobility-programme/?role=11&subCategory=75&workPackage=70″ target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer” data-mce-href=”/pre-mobility-programme/?role=11&subCategory=75&workPackage=70″>Mobility Programme.</a><strong>Suggested extension to this activity</strong>Ask students to create a poster in their target language using<a href=”https://es.padlet.com/” data-mce-href=”https://es.padlet.com/”> </a><a href=”https://es.padlet.com/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer” data-mce-href=”https://es.padlet.com/”>Padlet</a>. The students could work collaboratively to design and create a poster detailing the characteristics of an intercultural speaker, using their own research as a reference.This activity could be carried out prior to the Mobility Programme and reflected upon on their return from their time abroad, comparing the differences between the list and the cultural stereotypes.<strong>Source/attribution:</strong> DigiLanguages <strong>Author: </strong>Marta Giralt
<a href=”http://cultura.mit.edu/what-is-cultura” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer” data-mce-href=”http://cultura.mit.edu/what-is-cultura”>Cultura</a> is an intercultural project that connects groups of students online to help them understand each other’s culture. A Cultura exchange is typically based in a language class and involves two partner teachers and two groups of students from two different cultures. This activity allows the students to compare their own culture with the target culture and to reflect upon themselves as intercultural speakers.<strong>Learning outcomes</strong>Following this activity students will:<li>become aware of the values, attitudes, beliefs, and concepts inherent in another culture;</li><li>understand the concept and importance of becoming an intercultural speaker;</li><li>see the world from a different perspective.</li>
<strong>Learning context</strong>This activity can be implemented with third Level Language students. For comparative purposes, this activity could be carried out prior to and following their Mobility Programme.<strong>Procedure</strong>To begin the activity ask students to visit the Cultura Project Webpage: <a href=”http://cultura.mit.edu/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer” data-mce-href=”http://cultura.mit.edu/”>http://cultura.mit.edu</a><a href=”http://cultura.mit.edu/” data-mce-href=”http://cultura.mit.edu/”>/</a>.<strong>Note: </strong>There is no requirement to set up an account to view the archived discussions.<img class=” wp-image-2942 aligncenter” src=”https://www.digilanguages.ie/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Cultura-Screenshot-menu-bar.png” alt=”cultura-screenshot-menu-bar” width=”804″ height=”126″ data-mce-src=”https://www.digilanguages.ie/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Cultura-Screenshot-menu-bar.png” /><li>Click on the ‘past exchanges’ section from the menu bar</li><li>Access the archived exchanges by clicking on “Answers & Discussion” for the topic of your choice.</li><li>Read through the opening sentence and the responses from both exchange groups.<img class=”wp-image-2946 alignnone” src=”https://www.digilanguages.ie/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Cultura-Screenshot-Exchange-sample.png” alt=”cultura-screenshot-sample exchange” width=”619″ height=”297″ data-mce-src=”https://www.digilanguages.ie/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Cultura-Screenshot-Exchange-sample.png” /></li><li>Discuss the responses and the entries in the comments section with your students through online discussion boards, in class, or through a web-based questionnaire.</li><li>Reflect on the responses with your students. The following are some suggested themes:<ul><li>What cultural aspects were discussed in this particular interaction?</li><li>What did you learn?</li><li>Were you surprised by any comment?</li><li>What do you understand by the term “<a href=”http://languageeducation.pbworks.com/w/page/47700811/Intercultural%20Speakers” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer” data-mce-href=”http://languageeducation.pbworks.com/w/page/47700811/Intercultural%20Speakers”>intercultural speaker</a>”?</li>
</ul>
</li>
<strong>Integrate <a href=”/search-literacy-what-is-it/?role=11&subCategory=55&workPackage=45″ target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer” data-mce-href=”/search-literacy-what-is-it/?role=11&subCategory=55&workPackage=45″>search</a> and filtering literacies</strong>Ask the students to search for the term “<a href=”http://languageeducation.pbworks.com/w/page/47700811/Intercultural%20Speakers” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer” data-mce-href=”http://languageeducation.pbworks.com/w/page/47700811/Intercultural%20Speakers”>intercultural speaker</a>” using search engines in the first language and target language, using text in both the first language and the target language. Compare the results.Agree on what characteristics an intercultural speaker needs to have by filtering the information from the search results. When the students have gathered their list of characteristics of an intercultural speaker, discuss the topic in class and reflect on the importance of having these skills and attitudes during their <a href=”/pre-mobility-programme/?role=11&subCategory=75&workPackage=70″ target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer” data-mce-href=”/pre-mobility-programme/?role=11&subCategory=75&workPackage=70″>Mobility Programme.</a><strong>Suggested extension to this activity</strong>Ask students to create a poster in their target language using<a href=”https://es.padlet.com/” data-mce-href=”https://es.padlet.com/”> </a><a href=”https://es.padlet.com/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer” data-mce-href=”https://es.padlet.com/”>Padlet</a>. The students could work collaboratively to design and create a poster detailing the characteristics of an intercultural speaker, using their own research as a reference.This activity could be carried out prior to the Mobility Programme and reflected upon on their return from their time abroad, comparing the differences between the list and the cultural stereotypes.<strong>Source/attribution:</strong> DigiLanguages <strong>Author: </strong>Marta Giralt
<a href=”http://cultura.mit.edu/what-is-cultura” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer” data-mce-href=”http://cultura.mit.edu/what-is-cultura”>Cultura</a> is an intercultural project that connects groups of students online to help them understand each other’s culture. A Cultura exchange is typically based in a language class and involves two partner teachers and two groups of students from two different cultures. This activity allows the students to compare their own culture with the target culture and to reflect upon themselves as intercultural speakers.<strong>Learning outcomes</strong>Following this activity students will:<li>become aware of the values, attitudes, beliefs, and concepts inherent in another culture;</li><li>understand the concept and importance of becoming an intercultural speaker;</li><li>see the world from a different perspective.</li>
<strong>Learning context</strong>This activity can be implemented with third Level Language students. For comparative purposes, this activity could be carried out prior to and following their Mobility Programme.<strong>Procedure</strong>To begin the activity ask students to visit the Cultura Project Webpage: <a href=”http://cultura.mit.edu/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer” data-mce-href=”http://cultura.mit.edu/”>http://cultura.mit.edu</a><a href=”http://cultura.mit.edu/” data-mce-href=”http://cultura.mit.edu/”>/</a>.<strong>Note: </strong>There is no requirement to set up an account to view the archived discussions.<img class=” wp-image-2942 aligncenter” src=”https://www.digilanguages.ie/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Cultura-Screenshot-menu-bar.png” alt=”cultura-screenshot-menu-bar” width=”804″ height=”126″ data-mce-src=”https://www.digilanguages.ie/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Cultura-Screenshot-menu-bar.png” /><li>Click on the ‘past exchanges’ section from the menu bar</li><li>Access the archived exchanges by clicking on “Answers & Discussion” for the topic of your choice.</li><li>Read through the opening sentence and the responses from both exchange groups.<img class=”wp-image-2946 alignnone” src=”https://www.digilanguages.ie/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Cultura-Screenshot-Exchange-sample.png” alt=”cultura-screenshot-sample exchange” width=”619″ height=”297″ data-mce-src=”https://www.digilanguages.ie/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Cultura-Screenshot-Exchange-sample.png” /></li><li>Discuss the responses and the entries in the comments section with your students through online discussion boards, in class, or through a web-based questionnaire.</li><li>Reflect on the responses with your students. The following are some suggested themes:<ul><li>What cultural aspects were discussed in this particular interaction?</li><li>What did you learn?</li><li>Were you surprised by any comment?</li><li>What do you understand by the term “<a href=”http://languageeducation.pbworks.com/w/page/47700811/Intercultural%20Speakers” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer” data-mce-href=”http://languageeducation.pbworks.com/w/page/47700811/Intercultural%20Speakers”>intercultural speaker</a>”?</li>
</ul>
</li>
<strong>Integrate <a href=”/search-literacy-what-is-it/?role=11&subCategory=55&workPackage=45″ target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer” data-mce-href=”/search-literacy-what-is-it/?role=11&subCategory=55&workPackage=45″>search</a> and filtering literacies</strong>Ask the students to search for the term “<a href=”http://languageeducation.pbworks.com/w/page/47700811/Intercultural%20Speakers” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer” data-mce-href=”http://languageeducation.pbworks.com/w/page/47700811/Intercultural%20Speakers”>intercultural speaker</a>” using search engines in the first language and target language, using text in both the first language and the target language. Compare the results.Agree on what characteristics an intercultural speaker needs to have by filtering the information from the search results. When the students have gathered their list of characteristics of an intercultural speaker, discuss the topic in class and reflect on the importance of having these skills and attitudes during their <a href=”/pre-mobility-programme/?role=11&subCategory=75&workPackage=70″ target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer” data-mce-href=”/pre-mobility-programme/?role=11&subCategory=75&workPackage=70″>Mobility Programme.</a><strong>Suggested extension to this activity</strong>Ask students to create a poster in their target language using<a href=”https://es.padlet.com/” data-mce-href=”https://es.padlet.com/”> </a><a href=”https://es.padlet.com/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer” data-mce-href=”https://es.padlet.com/”>Padlet</a>. The students could work collaboratively to design and create a poster detailing the characteristics of an intercultural speaker, using their own research as a reference.This activity could be carried out prior to the Mobility Programme and reflected upon on their return from their time abroad, comparing the differences between the list and the cultural stereotypes.<strong>Source/attribution:</strong> DigiLanguages <strong>Author: </strong>Marta Giralt
<a href=”http://cultura.mit.edu/what-is-cultura” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer” data-mce-href=”http://cultura.mit.edu/what-is-cultura”>Cultura</a> is an intercultural project that connects groups of students online to help them understand each other’s culture. A Cultura exchange is typically based in a language class and involves two partner teachers and two groups of students from two different cultures. This activity allows the students to compare their own culture with the target culture and to reflect upon themselves as intercultural speakers.<strong>Learning outcomes</strong>Following this activity students will:<li>become aware of the values, attitudes, beliefs, and concepts inherent in another culture;</li><li>understand the concept and importance of becoming an intercultural speaker;</li><li>see the world from a different perspective.</li>
<strong>Learning context</strong>This activity can be implemented with third Level Language students. For comparative purposes, this activity could be carried out prior to and following their Mobility Programme.<strong>Procedure</strong>To begin the activity ask students to visit the Cultura Project Webpage: <a href=”http://cultura.mit.edu/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer” data-mce-href=”http://cultura.mit.edu/”>http://cultura.mit.edu</a><a href=”http://cultura.mit.edu/” data-mce-href=”http://cultura.mit.edu/”>/</a>.<strong>Note: </strong>There is no requirement to set up an account to view the archived discussions.<img class=” wp-image-2942 aligncenter” src=”https://www.digilanguages.ie/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Cultura-Screenshot-menu-bar.png” alt=”cultura-screenshot-menu-bar” width=”804″ height=”126″ data-mce-src=”https://www.digilanguages.ie/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Cultura-Screenshot-menu-bar.png” /><li>Click on the ‘past exchanges’ section from the menu bar</li><li>Access the archived exchanges by clicking on “Answers & Discussion” for the topic of your choice.</li><li>Read through the opening sentence and the responses from both exchange groups.<img class=”wp-image-2946 alignnone” src=”https://www.digilanguages.ie/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Cultura-Screenshot-Exchange-sample.png” alt=”cultura-screenshot-sample exchange” width=”619″ height=”297″ data-mce-src=”https://www.digilanguages.ie/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Cultura-Screenshot-Exchange-sample.png” /></li><li>Discuss the responses and the entries in the comments section with your students through online discussion boards, in class, or through a web-based questionnaire.</li><li>Reflect on the responses with your students. The following are some suggested themes:<ul><li>What cultural aspects were discussed in this particular interaction?</li><li>What did you learn?</li><li>Were you surprised by any comment?</li><li>What do you understand by the term “<a href=”http://languageeducation.pbworks.com/w/page/47700811/Intercultural%20Speakers” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer” data-mce-href=”http://languageeducation.pbworks.com/w/page/47700811/Intercultural%20Speakers”>intercultural speaker</a>”?</li>
</ul>
</li>
<strong>Integrate <a href=”/search-literacy-what-is-it/?role=11&subCategory=55&workPackage=45″ target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer” data-mce-href=”/search-literacy-what-is-it/?role=11&subCategory=55&workPackage=45″>search</a> and filtering literacies</strong>Ask the students to search for the term “<a href=”http://languageeducation.pbworks.com/w/page/47700811/Intercultural%20Speakers” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer” data-mce-href=”http://languageeducation.pbworks.com/w/page/47700811/Intercultural%20Speakers”>intercultural speaker</a>” using search engines in the first language and target language, using text in both the first language and the target language. Compare the results.Agree on what characteristics an intercultural speaker needs to have by filtering the information from the search results. When the students have gathered their list of characteristics of an intercultural speaker, discuss the topic in class and reflect on the importance of having these skills and attitudes during their <a href=”/pre-mobility-programme/?role=11&subCategory=75&workPackage=70″ target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer” data-mce-href=”/pre-mobility-programme/?role=11&subCategory=75&workPackage=70″>Mobility Programme.</a><strong>Suggested extension to this activity</strong>Ask students to create a poster in their target language using<a href=”https://es.padlet.com/” data-mce-href=”https://es.padlet.com/”> </a><a href=”https://es.padlet.com/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer” data-mce-href=”https://es.padlet.com/”>Padlet</a>. The students could work collaboratively to design and create a poster detailing the characteristics of an intercultural speaker, using their own research as a reference.This activity could be carried out prior to the Mobility Programme and reflected upon on their return from their time abroad, comparing the differences between the list and the cultural stereotypes.<strong>Source/attribution:</strong> DigiLanguages <strong>Author: </strong>Marta Giralt
