Culture is an important topic in the classroom and for teaching it, we have to be prepared it is not a simple class about grammar this takes a lot of reflection and analysis because it can change our students' ideologies about cultures and increase their respect and empathy for others.
As English teachers, we will have many opportunities for sharing classes which include cultural facts. In my opinion, we must study all kinds of activities and methods for teaching DEEP CULTURE. If we find effective techniques it is recommended to use it according to the classroom's needs. Also, we have to try many plans and verify which one is the most effective and update it regularly.
Sometimes we may hear from parents "I don't think we want to talk about our culture" "It's not necessary" and it influences in a bad way on our students' confidence with their background. It is a TABOO that we have to clarify and take it like a normal topic and for resolving it our classes must be rich in cultural knowledge.
If you are a relative or parent of an ESL student motivate and participate in the teacher activity, it is not only our work, it is of everybody! I know that this participation depends on your culture standards but give your 100% and also be the first teacher of culture in your own home.
We create specific classes for each classroom but this work of teaching deep culture is integrated for parents, students and the institution. It works if everybody carries the corresponding responsibilities.
Kelly, I like your point of the importance of parents teaching their culture in the home, and students sharing their first cultures with the class, as it helps the students' self-confidence and it gives them identity in a second culture.
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