This is a blog with an eductaional purpose,It is a publication of homeworks and extraclassworks of the subject American culture of the ULACIT (Universidad Latinoamericana de Ciencia y Tecnología)
On July 22 I, as part of the Culture class of ULACIT, had the pleasure to exchange my personal view of Costa Rica traditions and way of been of Costa Ricans with a foreign person. All of this was done through an activity that Neli Santiago organized. The main purpose of the activity was that the person that worked with us guesses which was my patchwork quilt and based on that we discussed or talked about Costa Rica and her culture.
I do not remember the name of the person that worked with me but she was a lady from Austria. She was really nice and she liked Costa Rica a lot. Actually she was going to stay here for an extra period of time (after her trip finished), she talked with me about her foster family, she said that her “mom” was really nice although she did not speak English at all, so it was very funny and hard for her to communicate with her mom, she told me that she had to mimic everything. She also mention that she did not liked Costa Rica food at all because it is too salty or too sweet and she mention that all or the majority of our dishes has meat and it is funny because I had not realize that until the moment she said that. For her was very easy to discover my quilt, because I describe it and she just found intermediately, also my patchwork quilt it was the only one that had a lot of elements on it.
To conclude, I will like to said that this activity was very important because I had the opportunity to practice my English, I also had the opportunity to learn about other culture, to see the differences and similarities that we share. Something funny is that they also eat “arroz com leche” in Austria; she told me that they prepare it in the same way but they called it different. I think ULACIT should do this kind of activities more often because they are very important and we enjoyed a lot.
2.What do you think your strengths and weaknesses were in this course?
I am not really sure. I think something that was hard for me was giving and doing the lesson plan, I think that was something really hard to do.
3.How did you feel you performed in this course?
I think it was good. I think what the teacher asked me to do.
4.What are the most valuable things you learned from this course?
I think I learned a lot, I learned a lot about USA culture and other cultures, I learned to value more my culture and I learned more about my culture, I learned how to incorporate culture into a class and I learned the dimensions of culture not only what they are but also how to analyze them and apply them.
5.What would you do differently if you had a chance to do this all over again?
I would start by doing everything since the beginning and not waiting until the last second
6.How do you feel the cooperative learning approach worked in this course?
It worked well
7.Do you have any suggestions for improving this course?
To give more indications in order to make the project quicker
8.What else would you like to add that I did not ask?
I think the questions that you put are enough; I do not have any extra suggestion
For this entry we were asked to read chapter 2 of the website Peace Corps, chapter 2 is divided in 16 subdivisions, those are:
1. American culture and American diversity
2. Dear Todd
3. The things we say
4. The things we say (part two)
5. Thirteen cultural categories
6. Thinking about my job
7. Sources of American culture
8. How Non-Americans see Americans
9. How Non-Americans see Americans (part two)
10. Learning about America
11. Now what?
12. On being different
13. Parting advice
14. Interview with a PCV
15. Dear Todd- An analysis
In a summarize way this chapter talks about Cross-cultural, they mention that in order to understand this, we have to know our own culture, also they said that the trainees need to understand their own values and beliefs in order to be able to see how they may differ from those of the local people because this differences are the source of the majority of cross-cultural problems. To avoid these trainees will do a number of activities that will help them see their own culture's basic assumptions, values, and beliefs, they also will explore the ways in which they may personally be different from the typical, or generic American described herein.
For this entry we had to read THE ´VALUES AMERICANS´ LIVE BY (L. Robert Kohls, Ph.D). This document resumes in 13 values how USA citizens behave or what they believe, although I believe that the article talks more about attitudes instead of values, also is to contradictory and is a lie because first they said that in this country all people are seen as the same, which is a total lie but paragraphs later they mention that they love their individuality and they are all seen as individuals instead of a group, so?
To resume the lecture, here are the 13 ´values´ with a briefly description.
Personal Control over the Environment/Responsibility. Man should control Nature, rather than the other way around, also they said that people believe that every single individual should have control over whatever in the environment might potentially affect him or her.
Change Seen as Natural and Positive. change is seen as an indisputably good condition, USA citizens have considered them to be true and have acted as if they were, thus, in effect, causing them to happen.
Time and its Control. delayed gratification. Language is filled with references to time, giving a clear indication of how much it is valued because considering time to be important allow them to accomplish more than if they “waste”time.
Equality/Fairness. Assertion that all people have an equal opportunity to succeed in life.
Individualism/Independence. They resist being thought of as representatives of a homogeneous group., they do join groups but they still believe they are just a little different, just a little unique, just a little special, from other members of the same group and finally they leave those groups.
Self-Help/Initiative. A person can take credit, only for what he or she has accomplished by himself or herself without any outside assistance, also this is something reflected by the more than 100 words as: self-aware, self-confident, self-conscious, self-contented, self-control, self-criticism, self-deception, self-defeating, self-denial, selfdiscipline, self-esteem, self-expressions, self-importance, selfimprovement, self-interest, self-reliance, self-respect, self-restraint, self-sacrifice, etc.
Competition. They believe that competition brings out the best in any individual.
Future Orientation. Future wouldbring even greater happiness.
Action/Work Orientation. Plan and schedule an extremely active day, it seems reasonable to speak about the “dignity of human labor,” meaning by that, hard, physical labor. In America, even presidents
of corporations will engage in physical labor from time to time and in doing so, gain, rather than lose, respect from others for such action.
Informality.They represent this by the way they dress (jeans, sneakers, t-shirts) and also by they greetings (hi).
Directness/Openness/Honesty. They preferred the most direct approach possible. They are likely to be completely honest in delivering their negative evaluations, and to do so publicly.
Practicality/Efficiency. extremely realistic, practical and efficient people. The practical consideration is likely to be given highest priority in making any important decision in the United States.
Materialism/Acquisitiveness. They value and collect more material objects than most of the world’s people would ever dream possible to own. It also means they give a higher priority to obtaining, maintaining and protecting their material objects than they do in developing and enjoying interpersonal relationships with people.
As a complement of chapter 6 we saw two versions of the movie shall we dance? The original movie is Japanese and is called shall we dansu? And the other one is the USA version (2004).
The main differences of the movies are:
According to the following diagram the movie is classify in:
The USA version developed in different scenarios as home, dance studio and the subway in those places he interact with his family (daughter and wife), he also feature some chores as cooking and taking care of the house, at the dance studio he interact with the instructor and his class mates, he enroll himself at the academy and he practice his dance skills in those places he manipulate certain objects as his cell phone, his briefcase and the broom (to practice dancing)...
The Japanese version was very similar to the USA version but the part of the movie that we saw placed at the dance floor and like a ´casino´ in those places he plays with the slots machines and he dance with a lady, also he arrives late to this place. In those places he manipulates artifacts as his watch, his briefcase, the slot machine...
I think that the significance of these movies in my life was very simple, with those movies I was able to see how the context could change in different cultures, how one of then it is like more close to me, and the other feels totally indifferent.
Appropriateness questions
Who? In the movie we see characters as, the businessman (main actor), two dance teachers, dance classmates, bussinesman wife and daughter, daughter friends and more. What? The messages expressions are tacit and explicit, the main character interacts directly with the rest of the people but sometimes he does not talk, but we still are able to figure out what he is talking, because he talks through his eyes or body language.
Where? A big part of the movie take place in the businessman house or at the dance studio, he also spends a lot of time in the subway because is his main transport medium
When? The dance classes occur at night, once per week and the rest of his live take place after this activity, so take place at morning- afternoon the seven days of the week
Why? Into the practices, taking as base dance classes, I conclude that the main way of expression is tacit because the body is the main way of communication
How? As mention in the why, section I will conclude that is a non-verbal practice, that uses kinesics (facial expressions, posture), oculesics (eye contact), haptics (hip and arms), and proxemics (synchrony).
On class we saw the chapter 5 (Patrick R. Moran. Teaching culture: perspectives in practice) and as a practice we had to create our own product base on our culture and necessities, I create this:
(Final-prototype)
(Original version)
When the teacher asked us to create a product, I thought in Costa Rican fashion. Why? Because I know that there are very talented designers in this country but somehow this is a sector that is not very famous, so I think that this gadget will help this sector to be more known.
What is this? This is a gadget, actually is like an Ipad for shopping, you will be able to purchase Costa Rican fashion designers outfits, you can choose the size, the piece of cloth that you want to buy and on the center of the screen is a model that display your cloth, the model will change according to the chosen size and this will be tie to the designers collection, as a plus when you select the outfits there will be displayed and information chart with the designers name, biography and where you can locate them.
Where do you find it? This screens will be display on Multiplaza (Escazú and del este), Terramall, Multicentro and Mall San Pedro you will find it on the walls or for a more personalize use you could buy one on my website (www.crfashionistas.go.cr).
How do you use it? It is very to use you just have to turn it on and follow the directions that you will find on my site.
When do you use it? When you visit the malls, or if you buy it, when you want it.
Which people use it? Anyone could use it because the things that this gadget shows are for both genders (male and females) and the ages will change according to each designer collection, also it is very easy to use, basically what you on the picture is it, size (you choose your size s-l-m-xl...), color (cloth color, in case it is displays in different color) menu (is the general menu, here you can add your information and also access to internet, types of outfits, shorts, shirts, pants, shoes, bags, accessories and much more), cost (cloth price and also you can purchase it), green button (on-off access), top (with this button you select the previous outfit), bottom (with this button you select the next outfit), designer (here you find the list of designers that are attach to this program, so you find their information, collections...)
Which group of people uses this? All group of people (men, females, teenagers, older people, and professionals) because crfashionista has infinity of options but the key is for those who are interested in supporting the country and acquiring something unique and exclusive.
Why do people use it? I feel and believe that people will use it because they want something different and for supporting Costa Rican fashion designers.
What significance does it have in the culture? I think this sector it is very implicit, the significance is a supportive view, everybody use cloth is part of the daily and is a way of promote Costa Rican talent, is a way to personalize fashion, also most of the designers work with recycle material and create original things that you will not find in other place, Just Here!
The following floor plan is of my house, it is divided in 14 rooms and the objects that we have in each rooms are because we use it very constantly and those stuffs that we no longer use we store it in the laundry room.
Garage: here we found the parrots, the dogs, the car, a sofa, and some mirrors. We use this space mainly to store the car and also to play with the pets, we have 3 dogs (Tommy, Trino, and Alaska) and some birds.
Mini-gym: machines, a little garden, 2 sofas, a sink, and a faucet. We use it sometimes, my dad spends a lot of time here, and at the terrence because he love plants and nature, we also use this space to clean and bath the pets.
My bedroom: a bed and headboard, 2 night tables, TV, computer, computer desk and chair, closet, a mirror, some posters, 3 lamps, jewelry boxes, decoration and a furniture. I spend most of my time here with the computer, doing universities works or others
Allison´s bedroom: bed, a night table, furniture, computer, computer desk and chair, closet, TV, drawer, 2 armchairs, a mirror and some posters and pictures. This is my sister´s bedroom she spends all her time here, she almost never get out of her bedroom.
Fabiola´s bedroom: bed, a night table, closet, a couch, a table, TV, decoration, posters, a mirror, furniture’s. This is my youngest sister room but she almost never sleep here, she likes to sleep at my other sister´s bedroom (Allison)
Parents bedroom: bed, 2 night tables, dresser, mirrors, 2 couches, lamps, TV, entertainment unit, books, elephants, a closet. The ones that share time here are my parents but we sometime gather together to talk or to watch a movie.
Parents closet room: 3 closets, a desk, 2 furniture, a wastebasket, laundry basket. My father just enters here to change his cloth but when my mother it is in classes or has to handle paperwork she stays a lot of time here.
Laundry room: 2 furniture’s, dryer, washing machine, clothesline, utility sink, brooms, mops, iron, iron board, vacuum, cleaning bottles. I just enter here to search a book, we could say that this is the housekeeper place and she call it ¨lateral¨
Kitchen: refrigerator, 2 sinks, stove, garbage pail, a cabinet, microwave, kitchen table and chairs, counter, 2 furniture’s, dish rack. We spend the majority of the time here because my father loves to cook.
Living room: 2 armchairs, 2 couches, a coffee table, entrance furniture, 3 mirrors, paintings, elephants, 2 furniture’s, a chest, stereo system, a table and 8 chairs phone furniture, photographs. We almost never use it, we have it because it is a big space and we have to fill it with the furniture.
Terrance: a garden, a table and the chairs, 2 armchairs, a couch, a cactus, 2 chests, stereo system, TV and TV furniture, photographs. This is a room that we use to be together as a family or to spend the time.
To finish this section, I will like to mention that I believe that my house is a cultural residence because is adapted to Costa Ricans environment but with some little changes, for example, most of the houses here use to have a television in the dinner room, but in my case the dinning time it is for eating and sharing and talking with each other (all the family members) and also family are use to share a lot of time at the living room where they have a big TV in front of a big couch where all the family share, in my case we have a TV in each room and we see TV alone in our rooms but when we all want to see a movie together or something we go and watch out at my parents room.
Is personal relationship to cultural content a factor in your teaching of culture?
I think my culture will influence directly a class like this one because if I have to teach a Spanish culture class I will teach my students Costa Rican greetings, meals, artifacts, everything because is what I know and Is what I have been using or living since I was born but I think it will be differently if I teach an English class because even thought I studied this language for many years and still go I have not had a strong impact or submerge enough in the culture.
On week 4 we were supposed to read the article called: Culture in second language teaching by Elizabeth Peterson and Bronwyn Coltrane (Center for applied linguistics).
This article said that we cannot teach a language without culture. Why? Because language and culture it is basically just one thing or concept, I mean even when English is spoken in a lot of countries in each country the phrases, certain words will be unique because that is what culture brings to the language and that is why British English is different from United States and Canada English.
I think, in order to teach a non-speaker a language (in this case English), We as teachers must choose an specific culture (probably American or the one that influence more the country) and start to integrate both, because you need and specific target culture in order to apply concepts, phrases, dates and more.
Besides, this lecture mention different activities or ideas those teachers should consider in order incorporating culture into the lesson plan in a creative or more appealing way, those are:
Authentic sources. Helps to engage students in authentic cultural experiences and in discussion of the cultural norms, teacher can suit the material according to the age and language proficiency of the students. Examples: films, news broadcasts, television shows, web sites, photographs, magazines, newspapers, restaurant menus, travel brochures...
Proverbs. Provides a way to analyze the stereotypes about and misperceptions of the culture, as well to explore the values that are often represented in the proverbs of their native culture.
Role plays. Help to practice what they saw in class.
Culture capsules. Serve as a foundation from which teachers can go on to discuss larger cultural, historical, and linguistic factors that tie in with the objects
Students. Exchange students, immigrant students, or students who speak the target language can share authentic insights into the home and cultural life of native speakers of the language.
Literature. Helpful in allowing students to acquire insight into a culture.
Films. Opportunity to witness behaviors that are not obvious in texts is a current and comprehensive ways to encapsulate the look, feel, and rhythm of a culture and connects students with language and cultural issues simultaneously.
From Monday, May 24 to Friday, May 28 (2010) ULACIT celebrated the "Smart technology week" during this week a lot of activities and conferences took place in the university; We as students had to participate in those activities, some of them were:
Educative Spaces. Expositor Silvia Castro
Learn to Learn. Expositor Andrés Leiva, Manpower
Home automation (Domótica). Expositor Jairo
In this entry I will focus on the first conference (Educative spaces), this activity took place on Wednesday, may 26 at the University Auditorium and the activity duration was 2 hours. The expositor Silvia Castro talked about different topics taking as base her experience. The main topics were how students learned and how a professor should teach by using neuroscience as a base?
She talked about the different kinds of brain technologies, those are:
TEP. Tomography by positron emission
IRMF. Magnetic resonance
EEG. Electroencephalogram
Autopsies.
Hemifestomies. Is done with medic's population.
She said that learning are neuronal red connections that will last through your entire life, is also a process that satisfies our needs and interests, is physical process because it has to be significant changeable, updated, and practical to use.
An educational process must be enraged or something that student must do is:
Experience it is something that comes before the theory
Is not a lineal process but parallel
Actions take place in different directions, this mean that it has to function through the senses (hearing, listening, seeing, touching...)
Different activities should be a part of the process at all time, for example debates, tours, laboratories and more
Interaction is a basic must, because through practice the student obtain: problem solving
In order to be a good student you must believe that what you are seeing is very important otherwise your teacher input will not make that much
Teacher cannot use just one method
Making questions it is the best way to understand a subject
Something that calls my attention a lot was when she showed us a percentage table that said how much our brain is able to remember.
Education must seek:
A real and a social environment, incorporate videos, music, searchers, differences to classes
To encourage motivation, respect...
To avoid stress
An effective learning experience (how, when, where, amount of time)
Students to do things due to respect and not because the grade they might get
Teachers must care about the results and not the used method
Teacher who construct concepts with the students, not someone who transmit concepts
On the second class (May 19, 2010) we saw chapter 3: Defining culture1, this chapter talked about the five dimensions of culture (products, practices, communities, persons and perspectives) mentioned already in the "First impression" response. To summarize this chapter I will answer three questions, those questions are:
How do your beliefs, values, and cultural upbringings influence the way you behave?
How does it feel when others see you as different- or as an outsider?
How do others' beliefs, values, and cultural upbringing influence the way they behave?
First question, how do your beliefs, values, and cultural upbringins influence the way you behave?
I think our cultural roots influence in a 90% who we are because beliefs and values are very cultural aspects, I mean this aspects are universal but each country or region make personal adaptations according to "every day", what I believe whether it is religion or not or others will influence make actions and my behavior or my way to see people or situations.
Second question, how does it feel when others see you as different- or as an outsider?
I think this is a feeling that we all have experienced because this kind of treating it is not only for foreign but it is also something that we could experience, for example when we enter or enroll in a new institute where everyone know each other and you are the new guy or girl, or when you face a new working environment , sometimes is just because you are different from "regular people", maybe because you dress differently or you talked differently, this two last criterias will be directly linked to foreign and less remember that this also could be linked with discrimination but will depend of the culture and several external and internal aspects.
Third question, how do others' beliefs, values, and cultural upbringing influence the way they behave?
I think that my answer to this question will be the same of what I answered in the first question (How do your beliefs, values, and cultural upbringings influence the way you behave?) Beliefs, values and cultural bringing influence a communities behave directly because those are the bases of a culture; according to Moran, P.R (2001) this aspects form part of cultural practice because it comprise a full range of actions and interactions that members of the same culture carry out.
taken from: http://rw-3.com/tag/cultural-beliefs/
1 taken from the book: Moran, P.R. (2001) Teaching culture: perspectives in practice. Massachusetts: Heinle and Heinle
