Stimulating Discussions: Exploring Perspectives. Boost Language Skills: Effective ESL Activities for Adult Learners
Stimulating Discussions: Exploring Perspectives
Boost Language Skills: Effective ESL Activities for Adult Learners
Expanding the cultural perspectives of adults poses unique challenges compared to working with children. Fortunately, linguistic barriers are likely to be less prominent, given that the adults you engage with probably possess better English skills. However, the real obstacle lies in dismantling a lifetime of influences that often emphasize the perceived differences between Japanese culture and all other ethnicities, languages, and cultures.
Addressing these deeply ingrained beliefs requires patience, creativity, and a sense of humor. You’re essentially countering several decades of influence with your own life experiences and understanding of our shared humanity. In the analogy of planting seeds for cross-cultural education, you might only be “soaking the seed” to make germination easier. It might take several generations for the first shoots to appear above ground, and it’s crucial to recognize that your contribution may not be fully evident during your tenure.
The activity that follow offer a compilation of cross-cultural activities, tailored to adults and children alike, providing a versatile toolkit for fostering cultural understanding in diverse settings.
Stimulating Discussions: Exploring Perspectives
- #FactsDiscussionActivity
- Encourage insightful conversations with the “Facts” activity. Participants classify given information into “That’s good,” “That’s neutral,” or “That’s a problem” categories. This prompts discussions on various topics, ensuring participants possess the necessary vocabulary for expressing viewpoints, agreeing, and disagreeing. Emphasize the subjective nature of opinions and the dual aspects of information.
- #UsingPicturesDiscussion
- Promote visual storytelling and diverse perspectives with the “Using Pictures” activity. Participants bring images representing internationalization, sparking discussions on personal interpretations. Alternatively, provide a mix of pictures from several magazines, encouraging participants to discuss the values depicted. This activity fosters cultural awareness and the recognition of shared and distinct values in visual representation.
Also check out these English ESL activities for adults
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