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ICZ101: Intercultural Ed A (2012-2013)

CURRICULUM PROGRAM: Foreign Language Program
COURSE TITLE: Intercultural Ed A
CALENDAR YEAR: 2012-2013
GRADE LEVEL: 7-8
CODE: ICZ101
TYPE: MS
CREDITS:
COURSE LENGTH: 9 weeks

Major Concepts/Content: The intercultural education course is designed to acquaint students with the host nation’s culture and values. The course also is intended to expose students to the skills involved in learning foreign languages. Students study key events in the history of the host nation with special attention given to the local environment, such as the cities, historical monuments, and particular geographical features. Elements of art, music, religion, education, and recreational activities of the host nation are studied. Students are taught the industrial aspects (imports, exports, etc.) of the host nation and its unique U.S. customs and traditions. Students learn about the agriculture and foods of the host nation. In addition to learning to appreciate and value the host nation’s culture, students learn some of the host nation’s language. Students gain enough basic, functional language to be able to communicate in their foreign environment. Useful idiomatic phrases and brief sentences and questions are understood and spoken. Students read and write simple phrases, sentences, and brief paragraphs. The skill of simple translations is also practiced.

Major Instructional Activities: Instructional activities will provide the study of many aspects of the host nation’s culture. Students will learn by doing projects; taking study trips; eating in the host nation’s restaurants; visiting monuments, museums, and art galleries; taking part in student exchange programs; and becoming acquainted with special U.S. customs and traditions of the host nation. Teachers will use officially adopted basic materials supplemented with videos, filmstrips, post-cards, magazines, and records (music) representative of the host nation to help students achieve the goals and objectives of the course. Students will also use textbooks, workbooks, cassettes, and other language materials to help them acquire basic functional usage in understanding, speaking, reading, and writing the host nation’s language. Choral exercises and other oral repetitive drills will be used for reinforcing difficult sounds and structures of the host nation’s target language.

Major Evaluative Techniques: Students will be required to take part in simple oral dialogues in the host nation’s language. They will also take written tests, make oral reports, and present ideas and information showing knowledge of the host nation’s U.S. customs and culture. Simple dictations and translation exercises using familiar vocabulary will also be used.

Course Objectives: Upon completion of the inter-cultural education course, students should be able to:

• Identify a few of the leading host nation's historical figures and political leaders.
• Discuss the roles of men and women in the host nation's country.
• Describe industrial and cultural aspects of the host nation's country.
• Identify some imports and exports of the host nation.
• Prepare several foods unique to the host nation's country
• Participate in various host nation leisure-time activities, such as singing, folk dancing, sports, arts, and crafts.
• Give examples of contributions of the host nation's people in the areas of art, literature, math, science, and music.
• Explain the host nation's holiday U.S. customs and traditions.
• Explain how stereotyping leads to misunderstanding between cultures.
• Demonstrate improved use of the host nation's language skills.