Cultural awareness

An awareness of culture includes four aspects:

Culture as Knowing About – knowing bits and pieces of information that make up a culture.

Example: “What is a hamburger?”

Culture as Knowing How – knowing the skills necessary for interaction within a culture.

Example: How do I order a meal at a restaurant?

Culture as Knowing Why – understanding the basic values, attitudes and assumptions of the culture.

Example: Why are there so many fast-food restaurants? What does “time is money” mean?

Culture as Knowing Oneself – understanding oneself and one’s own culture helps with understanding or adapting to another culture.

Example: How do I feel about fast-food restaurants?
Do I want to keep family sit-down meals as our normal family practice?

Reflection, discussion

Materials and equipment

A variety of pictures
Flip chart and markers

Preparation

Read over the background information in the introduction to this activity.
Locate pictures that may reflect culture. Cut out and mount the pictures. Place them randomly around the room. You can use the nine universals as a guide when selecting appropriate pictures.

STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS

  1. Have tutors find a picture they feel speaks to them about their culture.
  2. Ask tutors to share in small groups (or together if your group is small) why they chose that picture.
  3. Have tutors share some aspect of their culture.
  4. Based on their discussion, ask tutors what they think makes up culture. Post answers on the flip chart.
  5. You may want to share the nine universals of culture and cultural awareness information from the introduction.