Though some feel it is potentially problematic, cultural ideas and items can be the greatest asset you
have as an ESL or EFL teacher seeking to motivate students. Make cultural differences
work for you! Find out what cultures
your students are from and in a respectful environment, have fun. If done in
this way, such activities can soon become a core part of your teaching. Here
are ten quick ideas for such activities.
Food!
Begin
by extoling the joys of varied cuisine and, for example, writes on the board
things like CABSA, BUKLGOGI, TAKOYAKI, PHAD THAI and so on. Images may also be
used. Have students discuss and/or explain what they are. This can easily be
extended into recipe sharing and so on.
Marriage!
Show photos of various marriages. Describe a wedding you went to. Draw students
into chatting about the similarities and differences between this wedding and
weddings in their countries. What do they all have in common?
Family!
Review the basic vocabulary of family members (mother, brother, cousin, aunt
and so on). Discuss your family members and what their roles are in your family
structure. Get students to do the same. What ROLES do, for example, aunts and
uncles play? What about 3rd cousins? Answers will be illuminating.
Money!
Have
students bring in examples of their currency, bills work best. Use the document
camera and ask about images on the bill. (Who is this? What is this building?) Let other students
question those students from that country about the bill. It is always an interesting activity.
Passport!
Have every student bring their passport to class because each one tells a
story. In pair or small groups, have students describe what the symbols and so
on mean and what countries they visited and why and what happened.
Proverbs/Idioms!
In the USA we are ‘hungry as a horse’ but in Russia one is ‘hungry as a bear.’ Introduce
a few idioms or proverbs and then have students present idioms and adverbs from
their country. Knowing what ‘gold does not come from the sky’ means to an Arabic
student is fun and culturally interesting.
Movies/TV
shows! Have students list some of the US movies or TV shows they have seen then
help them use the internet to show you tube clips of a favorite movie from
their country. What is similar? Different? What do they like about movies from
different countries? Homework: Watch a foreign movie.
Customs!
Group students by nationality. Have them write a bulleted advice list on things
visitors to their country should and should not do. Have them present and have
a class discussion on culture, expectations, politeness and so on.
Clothing!
Have students either show or, better
yet, wear to class traditional national clothing. Whether a kimono or hijab,
have students ‘show off’ their clothing and explain it. When is it worn? What
is the history of it? What does it mean?
Stuff!
Have students bring in items that
reflect their unique culture. Maybe an omamori (charm) from Japan or a festival
fan from Korea. Have other students guess what it is and what it is for and how
it is used. Let the students then ‘show and tell’ and pass it around. Maybe
have a tea ceremony or other demonstration.
The most interesting topic in your classroom is culture, though it isn't used nearly enough as a conversation-starter. Motivate your students with fun.
