Connecting Culture Through Communication

Culture permeates every aspect of our lives. We can’t understand others without having an understanding of their culture. As a language teacher, you are already aware of this. But our students may not understand that language is an expression of cultural competence. Students need to learn that connecting culture through communication is essential for learning a language. We must bring culture to the classroom in order to develop and deepen students’ understanding of Deaf people. Knowledge of Deaf culture can enhance students’ communication skills.

Culture and Communication

What we don’t see is just as import to communication as vocabulary

Culture is often compared to an iceberg where only 10% is actually visible while the other 90% is hidden below the surface. Language teachers must be diligent in teaching culture and understanding to students.

Frantz Fanon, a writer, and philosopher, once said: “To speak a language is to take on a world, a culture.

Besides words and grammar structures, there is a beautiful group of people that can show our students new experiences. Knowledge about Deaf people provides a new lens through which they can view the world. Therefore, culture is a powerful being that can make language come to life.

We all know it is difficult to get students interacting in the Deaf community for many reasons: Location, time, supervision and numerous other reasons that prevent students from getting out there to see culture and language coming together. As a result, these factors inhibit a real experience. While this problem is looming over all of us, here are some awesome ways to get students excited about culture. These ideas provide students the skills they need to talk about what they learn.   

Video

Video allows students to actually view language in action. YouTube has opened an entire world for our students. You can type in deaf or sign language and all kinds of videos pop up. Help your students learn about culture properly by sifting through these videos to show them authentic and accurate content. Connect the culture with speaking activities to enhance communication.

Use the Deaf Code to show common misconceptions about Deaf people as told by Deaf people. After showing this, have upper-level students discuss what they have learned. Lower-level students can create a pre and post misconceptions graph they had about Deaf people. Student groups create a video showing what they have learned from the viewing about common misconceptions. The video shows truths about Deaf people learned from the cultural study.

Use this video from ASLized about residential schools to show the impact they have on deaf people and the community. Depending on your students’ skill level, have them debate the best educational setting for their future deaf child. Place students in groups where they must support residential schools and convince others to change their mind about this type of educational setting.

Let Terrylene talk about literature and stories in the Deaf community and how they had an impact on who she is today. After the video has students talk about what they noticed about the story. Ask students to discuss “What are the rules?” and “What influence did expressions and body language have on the story?”

Pictures

Use images that can express ideas and norms in Deaf culture. Artwork is a great tool for teaching about cultural behaviors. Images and art created by Deaf people is easy to find with a simple Google search. Use the images to teach about families, oppression, privilege, and deaf gain.

Authentic Materials

Authentic materials are our best resource for giving students a look into how people use the language every day. Therefore, these materials can help connect culture through communication by showing how people interact in a native setting. These types of materials show students that there is a group of people that use the language and there is a reason for them to learn it. Use technology to show how the Deaf community’s communication patterns have evolved over time. Show students a TTY, videophone, relay calls, and a Smartphone call. Since students can actually touch, feel and see how this works, it puts them in the community. Experience gives them a higher understanding of Deaf life. Have students present on how hearing and Deaf communicate with others.

Traditions

Traditions are a great way to see how cultures interact and what they hold important. Discuss cheers and chants at sporting events at Gallaudet and residential schools compared to traditional American schools. Poetry and literature are passed down from generation to generation through visual means. Instead of having students create an ABC story have them discuss the relevance of one to the community. Or have them analyze a poem together in the target language.  

Experiences

Experiences can provide a true glimpse into the life of Deaf people that a video or book can’t do justice. Connect with a residential school for a shadow day. Go to a restaurant with a group of deaf friends or family members who are willing to spend time with your students. You say you can’t afford it. The school has no money. Use fundraising opportunities through your ASL club or use Donorschoose.org. ASLHS also gives grants to teachers. Check that opportunity out.    

Online resources

Online Resources can provide your classroom with some great opportunities to learn about the culture. Google is a true lifesaver. I often wonder how I ever made it through college, or life for that matter, without Google. You have a question, go to the finest online resource available (can you tell I am a fan?).  Through Deaf Eyes and Gallaudet University, both provide top-notch information about the Deaf experience that can easily be turned into communication activities. Put students in the position of being on the Gallaudet Campus the week of the protest. Ask them to discuss what they would have done or how much involvement would they have had in the events. Would they be bold enough to participate in the illegal activities or would they have gone home for spring break?  

In conclusion, there are always interesting discussions awaiting if we give our students opportunities to try, fail or succeed, and continue communicating. Teach students about diversity and it will open their minds and maybe improve their language skills.

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One Response

  1. As always, you have to look at the various video options and choose what works for your students, their age and maturity level. Thanks for sharing.

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I am a wife, mother, gardner, and self-proclaimed yogi. I help teachers be awesome.

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