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Promoting intercultural thinking and reflection through U.S. history
Author(s) -
TocaimazaHatch C. Cecilia,
Bloom Melanie
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
foreign language annals
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.258
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1944-9720
pISSN - 0015-718X
DOI - 10.1111/flan.12419
Subject(s) - ethnocentrism , perception , cultural diversity , diversity (politics) , homogeneous , intercultural communication , psychology , cultural competence , critical thinking , space (punctuation) , reflection (computer programming) , sociology , pedagogy , social psychology , mathematics education , linguistics , anthropology , computer science , philosophy , physics , neuroscience , thermodynamics , programming language
Language textbooks present cultural content in a typically homogeneous fashion, thereby ignoring inherent diversity both within and between cultures and reinforcing monodimensional views. Consequently, instructors must find ways to facilitate students’ critical engagement with and reflection on cultural representations in order to provide them with the space to more critically examine cultural heterogeneity, which is essential for effective and appropriate interactions in real settings. The current study describes novel cultural modules built around the PBS documentary series Latino Americans to be integrated into a Spanish 1 course. The modules introduced students to historical events regarding the long‐standing Latino presence in the United States and Latinos’ points of view, perceptions, and values. To ascertain the effectiveness of the modules, students’ development of intercultural sensitivity was assessed via surveys and class observations. The analysis was framed using M. Bennett's model of intercultural development. Results demonstrated students’ shifts in both ethnocentric and ethnorelative perceptions of cultural difference. Regarding ethnorelative perspectives, results suggest discrete improvements particularly as seen in the prevalence of data that support a shift toward acceptance.

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