Contextualization

The globalized world in which we live today is, above all, a world where cultural diversity is present at all times. In a single city, it is possible to experience the culture of several different nations - whether through food, arts, languages, and even the people who live there. In this sense, it becomes increasingly important that we not only respect different cultures but also understand them in their particularity and richness. And it is at this point that the importance of studying 'Cultural Aspects' arises.

In the study of the English language, 'Cultural Aspects' acquire an even more fundamental role. After all, English is the most widely spoken language globally, being the official language of more than 50 countries and spoken as a second language by millions of people around the globe. By learning English, we are also learning about culture, about how people from different countries think, live, interact, and express themselves.

Studying 'Cultural Aspects' provides us with a deep immersion, allowing us to truly 'feel' the language, rather than just 'learning' the language. Understanding culture is understanding the context in which the language is used, knowing the habits, particularities, social norms, gestures, and behaviors that each culture possesses.

True fluency in a language is not only achieved through the ability of verbal communication but also through the ability to understand and interact with the culture associated with that language. That is why, in this project, we will delve into the 'Cultural Aspects' of the English language. After all, more than just learning a new language, we want to become true global citizens, capable of understanding and interacting with the different cultures that the world offers us.

Practical Activity: 'Exploring Cultures through the English Language'

Project Objective

The objective of this activity is to provide students with the opportunity to explore in-depth the culture of an English-speaking country (or a group of countries, in the case of larger groups), aiming at the development of socio-emotional skills, such as time management, communication, problem-solving, creative thinking, and proactivity, and technical skills, such as acquiring knowledge of the culture linked to the English language, valuing cultural diversity, and understanding behaviors and expressions related to cultural aspects.

Project Description

Students will be divided into groups of 3 to 5 members. Each group will be responsible for choosing one or more English-speaking countries and conducting a thorough and detailed research on the culture of that country or those countries.

Groups should focus their research on cultural manifestations such as plastic and visual arts, literature, music, cinema, dance, festivities, among others. They should seek to understand how expressions, gestures, and behaviors are interpreted based on cultural aspects and what factors may hinder understanding between people from different cultures who speak the English language.

Required Materials

For this activity, groups will need access to the internet to research information and materials about the culture of the countries they choose. They will also need paper and pen for notes and planning and a word processing software for the elaboration of the final report.

Activity Steps

1. Group Formation: Divide students into groups of 3 to 5 people.

2. Country/Countries Selection: Each group chooses one or more English-speaking countries to study.

3. Research: Groups conduct an in-depth online research on the culture of the chosen country/countries. They should look for information about arts, literature, music, cinema, dance, festivities, among other cultural aspects.

4. Analysis and Discussion: Groups should analyze and discuss the collected information, seeking to understand how expressions, gestures, and behaviors are interpreted based on cultural aspects and identifying possible barriers to understanding between different cultures.

5. Report Elaboration: After the research and discussion, each group must elaborate a detailed report on their research. The report should be divided into four parts: Introduction, Development, Conclusions, and Bibliography.

   • Introduction: Provide context on the chosen country or countries, their relevance and real-world application, and the project's objective.
   • Development: Explain the theory behind the study of cultural aspects, present the methodology used for research and discussion, present the results obtained and discuss them.
   • Conclusions: Summarize the main points of the research, explain the learnings obtained, and draw conclusions about the project.
   • Bibliography: Indicate the sources used for the research.

6. Work Presentation: Each group will present their work to the class, explaining their findings and conclusions about the culture of the country/countries they studied. Additionally, they must submit the written report of the research.

Project Deliverables

The project will culminate in the delivery of the written report and the oral presentation of the results, where students will share their learnings with their peers. Each presentation should last between 15 to 20 minutes, and all group members must actively participate.

The report will be evaluated based on the clarity of writing, the depth and relevance of the research conducted, the analysis made, and the reflection on the experience. The presentation will be evaluated based on the quality of communication, the organization of ideas, and interaction with peers.