First let me congratulate you on becoming such an excellent blogger in such a short space of time .... I think your choice of topic is an interestng one, and I have a sad story about breaking a stereotype that I am going to share with you now .....
When approaching the topic of stereotypes with students I had a fun activity which I used to use as an introduction. I would divide the students into groups of 4 or so, and to each group give a big sheet of A3 paper divided into 4. Then I would explain to the students that in groups they are going to draw a national stereotype to fit the nationality I call out, it would have to be a group effort, in two minutes. The American would always be "rotund" with a baseball cap, holding a hamburger in one hand and perhaps a gun in the other; the Japanese would have flashy cameras and laptops; the French surrounded by lovehearts ... In the past, the English stereotype would be a man with a pinstripe suit, a bowler hat, and an umbrella, but that sterotype has changed ... nowadays when playing the game, for an English stereotype students draw a "youth", baseball cap and trainers, smoking and drinking and beer, looking aggressive. I can understand why it has changed - I mean, when were men with pinstripe suits and bowler hats seen patrolling the streets of Manchester in the morning? Never! And often do we see youths fitting the above description? Everyday :( It's sad isn't it? I wouldn't play that game again.
2 comments:
Hi there Olga,
First let me congratulate you on becoming such an excellent blogger in such a short space of time .... I think your choice of topic is an interestng one, and I have a sad story about breaking a stereotype that I am going to share with you now .....
When approaching the topic of stereotypes with students I had a fun activity which I used to use as an introduction. I would divide the students into groups of 4 or so, and to each group give a big sheet of A3 paper divided into 4. Then I would explain to the students that in groups they are going to draw a national stereotype to fit the nationality I call out, it would have to be a group effort, in two minutes. The American would always be "rotund" with a baseball cap, holding a hamburger in one hand and perhaps a gun in the other; the Japanese would have flashy cameras and laptops; the French surrounded by lovehearts ... In the past, the English stereotype would be a man with a pinstripe suit, a bowler hat, and an umbrella, but that sterotype has changed ... nowadays when playing the game, for an English stereotype students draw a "youth", baseball cap and trainers, smoking and drinking and beer, looking aggressive. I can understand why it has changed - I mean, when were men with pinstripe suits and bowler hats seen patrolling the streets of Manchester in the morning? Never! And often do we see youths fitting the above description? Everyday :( It's sad isn't it? I wouldn't play that game again.
Thank you very much for writing in my blog. I was very glad when I recived this message from you.
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