Tips for teaching american culture to esl students by stacy zeiger 20,992 views while the united states is not the only place english is spoken, it contains a culture that many english language learners find intriguing. A part of conversation questions for the esl classroom. Dec 17, 2016 great books to inspire english language learners. English through american culture english language institute. For esl teachers abroad, culture lessons can help prepare students for studying abroad in englishspeaking countries. Life in the usa learn about us life, history, and culture. The concepts of language and culture will be defined, respectively. Oh, and one more thing if you liked these lesson plans, youll love using fluentu in your classroom.
This is a great book for those who need to find a job in the usa. There are currently more than 180 different language groups represented by the students in americas schools. Savvy esl book recommendations for teachers of american. Culturally relevant books in the ell classroom colorin. English esl culture worksheets most downloaded 273 results. The warm and witty authors of celebrate the american way. The name jar tells the story of unhei, a little girl who has just immigrated to america from korea. Speaking english well does not mean you understand the culture. Here are five culturally relevant books that might. However, culture is married to language and can be fun for students to explore.
Success for esl students scholastic books for kids. The esl podcasts help students learn pronunciation and word usage in a conversational context. Luckily, you dont have to worry too much as well share six aspects of u. How to make american history easier for ells tesol blog. Special activities and travel support classroom study. When teaching esl literature, the first thing to do is make sure you know your audience as tempting as it can be to teach some great books or stories to your beginner or intermediate students, hold off when it comes to the following literature classics. Aus library collections have more than one million books, over 20,000 ebooks, 45,000 online serial subscriptions, and over 300 electronic databases.
Jean bodman 2005 esl special collection minigrant winner. English the american way is an excellent resource for esl students and teachers, english language learners, and professionals of all ages and all nationalities. What do you think is interesting about your culture. Students can also explore american culture through various materials. This is a free online english textbook for esl instructors to use when they want their students to learn about american culture and customs. How to teach american culture in esl class with the simpsons. Students are really interested in how the united states differs from france, so make. Approaches of cultural introduction in english teaching. Teaching culture in esl classes is beneficial not only for students growth as english speakers, but also as citizens of the world. Wikimedia commons not all of us paid attention in high school english class, but that doesnt mean the assigned books werent. The 6 best books for cultural understanding in the usa of 2020. An introduction to american culture, third edition, by maryanne kearny datesman, joann crandall, and edward n. Mia soon finds out her abuela grandmother doesnt speak english, but over time they teach one another their native languages and form a close bond. Many latinos explain that the barrier between two cultures is a serious challenge regarding the food, festivals, and living.
Elta esl students have access to different resources from the student health center to. In this africanamerican history lesson, students read the story zora hurston and the chinaberry tree while identifying the work and contributions of the real life. The podcasts use current events, pop culture and typical social situations to illustrate concepts. The language focus of this course varies depending on the saliency of the material seen in the selected films, but predominately centers around developing an. Kearny, focuses on the traditional values that have attracted people to the united states for well over 200 years and traces the effects of these values on american life chapter themes include diversity, the family, education, government. Teaching resources to help your class explore the rich cultures and traditions of native americans in the united states. American culture, exploring various genres of comedy, while contextualizing these genres through their relationship with american aesthetics and sensibilities. A starter guide to teaching american culture to esl classes with the simpsons. Next, the characteristics and components of culture will be presented. Transitioning from all the familiar things in your own culture to new cultural stimuli, which have little or no meaning to you, can result in a culture shock. Instead of favoring one culture, pablo chooses to celebrate both.
Teaching esl literature may require a bit more planning, but its definitely worth it to open the world of literature to your students. Once youve taught a few classic books to esl students, the world is your oyster. Reasons and conditions for immigration to the united states immigration from latin america and the attendant growth of the nations hispanic or latino population are two of the most important and controversial developments in recent history for the united states. Then place students in groups of four or five for some discussion time. Find helpful resources for teachers of english as a sec ond language. Help them absorb english language and culture by reading. Beliefs about how to raise children children and teens. Top 5 aspects of us culture that esl students should know. Esl lesson plans for all grade levels brighthub education. For a more american approach to esl, students should look to english the american way for a textbook that focuses on u. Teach your favorite english literary classics to your esl students. Esl campus life american university, washington, dc. A collection of downloadable worksheets, exercises and activities to teach american culture, shared by english language teachers. Includes quizzes and games to practise reading, writing, and listening, plus song quizzes, general grammar and vocabulary games, worksheets, printables and other lesson.
Teachers use audiovisual materials, multimediabased technology, and individual attention to provide every student with the opportunity to master the english language. American english resources provide materials for teachers professional development and for students in the classroom. Find classroom activities, audiobooks, mp3s, videos and pedagogical material to assist in learning english as a sec ond language. Heres a list of helpful books for esl students living and working in the usa. A starter guide to teaching american culture to esl classes. This site includes a variety of exercises and interactive activities for esl students. Asian pacific american heritage grades 46 horse stories. Free teaching resources and selfstudy lessons for adult students of english as a sec ond language and young learners about customs, culture, history and traditions in the united states of america. In english teaching, teachers should take one step at a time to impart cultural knowledge from the shallower to the deeper, from the easier to the more advanced. Yet these classes are also an important opportunity to teach students about various aspects of the culture in which theyre immersed. The main goal is to practice oral skills and the use of adjectives. These word quizzes cover everything from animals and food to famous quotes and american slang. Mia is thrilled when her grandmother, who has always lived far away, comes to stay with mia and her family. Welcome to esl printables, the website where english language teachers exchange resources.
The vocabulary for these lessons is more appropriate for the higherlevel students. Whether youre teaching kindergarten students, or adult learners, we have esl lesson plans and activities your students are sure to love. This site is exactly what it sounds like, offering selfstudy tests to help students learn grammar, challenging words, vocabulary, and more. If youre looking for a fun and easy way to improve your english language skills, this is the book for you. Five culturally relevant books to inspire english language. Ask students to share any insights they got learning the specifics about another culture. Understanding us american culture is an integral part of each class. Yes, some terms that they explain are very simple, while others are advanced. American culture track courses offer language instruction using the context of the study of american culture, history, society, and community. Students are really interested in how the united states differs from france, so make sure to include these differences. Students must have all books on the first day of class. Notice if the american uses the words some or many as he or she talks about americans. Teach your students about american culture and holidays, find new ways of teaching vocabulary and get the class moving with interactive games and group projects.
English the american way is a creative esl learning book that has been designed to adapting esl learners to the american culture and english traditions. Wikimedia commons not all of us paid attention in high school english class, but that doesnt mean the assigned books werent worth reading or rereading. American indian heritage japanese american incarceration during world war ii. A course on contemporary american culture for international students is a semesterlong university level course designed to give. Kenneth beare has taught english and english as a second language teacher since 1983. Once students have gathered information about two other created cultures, come back together as a class. Written for both high school esl students and adult english language learners in the u. Communicating effectively with nativespeakers requires much more than just good grammar, listening, writing and speaking skills. When teaching esl literature, the first thing to do is make sure you know your audience as tempting as it can be to teach some great books or stories to your beginner or intermediate students, hold off when it comes to the following literature classics wait until students have the reading skill level they need to appreciate these. Sample syllabus esl 23 american culture through film. Npr ed way too many students who are english language learners are reading below grade level. These are some of the most important parts of american culture that esl students should learn about. German, swedish, or dutch language tutorials as a pdf ebook with free mp3s and free lifetime updates.
Conversation lesson on culture shock, expectations. Families will love reading the english and spanish words that make up this sweet crossgenerational story about a young girl. Students who speak english as a sec ond language esl constitute a significant percentage of the nations school population. English as a sec ond language esl classes generally emphasize english grammar and vocabulary to lay the foundation for speaking, reading and writing correctly in english. Students explore american culture by reading classic literature in class. Voice of americas american history for esl learners. I agree that the short reading passages on the website are great sources for esl students at an intermediate level especially lowintermediate level to learn about american culture and customs. For many international students, studying in the usa brings excitement about learning and living in a different culture. Sheila mckechnie and jane airey oconnor indulge learners in a witty and fun explanation of certain vocabularies, phrases and wacky idioms that are part of everyday life. A bilingual lucha libre thriller by xavier garza whether its read in spanish or english, mexican traditions and pop culture shine in this book for older students.
American indian heritage japaneseamerican incarceration during world war ii. For esl teachers abroad, culture lessons can help prepare students for studying. Jan 16, 2020 american english resources provide materials for teachers professional development and for students in the classroom. Teaching culture in the eflesl classroom abstract this article is intended to discuss prominent issues in teaching culture to second and foreign language students. You probably already know how this site offers free videos without. Also teach your esl students that in the united states its illegal to ask some personal questions such as those pertaining to marital status and religion during an application or interview process for a new job. Some international students want to prepare by understanding what cultural difference they will encounter in the united states.
The book deals with ordinary topics approached from an american perspective, allowing students to gain an understanding of how life works. Aus library collections have more than one million books, over 20,000 e books, 45,000 online serial subscriptions, and. When people from other countries think about your culture, what do they usually think of. Helpful books for esl students living and working in britain who want to gain a better understanding of how british culture influences language, behavior and other day to day exchanges in britain. Teaching american culture to esl students can be challenging because of its many elements. A starter guide to teaching american culture to esl. Provide a wide array of cultural information in different formats, including dvds, music, readings, online programs, guest speakers, literature and newspapers. This site combines transcripts with recorded readings to help students improve their reading and listening skills. Besides the language proficiency limitation, our esl students may not have all the elements to. American culture, and the design of outofclass programming support. American ways provides thoughtfully descriptive and critical insights to a general understanding of american culture, not only for students intending to live in the usa, but also for students taking a discussion course in advanced english or who want to pursue a future career as english teachers. English the american way is your companion to everyday life in the united states. Sep 17, 2015 voice of americas american history for esl learners. Consequently, esl students can say things that sound wrong or perhaps funny about american culture.
1242 980 1219 725 501 593 1281 854 920 347 19 1071 1161 908 499 1404 1444 864 275 1099 450 508 795 494 1218 961 780 1298 1409 1287 599 609 97 69 149 317 664