Modern foreign language education aims at developing an intercultural ability to act because our world today is more international than ever before. As defined at the beginning of this paper, ICC mainly consists of three features: the ability to communicate successfully with people from different cultures, to be able to shift perspectives and to be capable of behaving appropriately in intercultural situations. So ICC functions as connector between people from different cultures because it enables and improves intercultural communication, understanding, tolerance and open-mindedness.
In this paper, I have concluded that the film East is East is suitable for teaching ICC because the pupils get an insight into two cultures which both differ from their own cultural background. The film gives the opportunity to compare those cultures and thereby change their own perspective and attitude towards other, foreign cultures. In general, films can be used for teaching ICC without hesitation if they have a suitable content because they foster emotional reactions, personal statements and the need for discussion. Although I have argued in this paper that films do never represent reality, they can be described as an embodiment of culture which function as orientation system for intercultural learning.
In this paper I presented how a possible teaching unit on the topic Multicultural Britain could look like and outlined a possible lesson plan with regard to the film East is East. Teach-ing the topic Multicultural Britain gives the opportunity to show pupils how intercultural con-flicts may be solved and how different cultures can deal with each other respectfully. The outlined lesson plan underlined that the film East is East is suitable for teaching ICC because the pupils have the chance to learn more about other cultures and are able to identify with characters from foreign countries. The methods used during the lesson and the representation of other cultures in the movie encourage the pupils’ empathy, tolerance and respect and prob-ably even capture their attention and curiosity for different cultures and languages.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Intercultural Competence and Its Importance in School
- East is East: A Summary of the Plot
- A Possible Teaching Unit on the Topic Multicultural Britain
- A Lesson Plan based on the Film East is East
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper argues for the suitability of the film "East is East" for teaching intercultural competence (ICC) in the EFL classroom. It begins by defining ICC and its importance within the curriculum, then analyzes "East is East" as a valuable tool for teaching this competence. Finally, it presents a teaching unit and lesson plan based on the film.
- The definition and importance of Intercultural Competence (ICC) in EFL education.
- The application of film in EFL teaching and its potential for enhancing motivated learning.
- Analysis of "East is East" as a case study for teaching intercultural understanding and communication.
- Development of a practical teaching unit and lesson plan based on the film "East is East".
- The exploration of cultural conflict and coexistence within a multicultural family setting.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the paper by highlighting the increasing acceptance of films in EFL classrooms and the diverse possibilities offered by modern technology, such as DVDs and digital projectors. It emphasizes the importance of selecting films relevant to students' lives and aligning their use with specific educational aims, particularly intercultural competence. The chapter introduces the film "East is East" as a case study, focusing on its suitability for teaching intercultural understanding due to its depiction of cultural conflict within a British Pakistani family. The chapter lays out the paper's structure, promising a definition of ICC, an analysis of the film's pedagogical value, and a detailed presentation of a teaching unit and lesson plan.
Intercultural Competence and Its Importance in School: This chapter delves into the definition and significance of intercultural competence (ICC) in modern foreign language education. It traces the evolution of cultural focus in EFL teaching, highlighting the shift towards incorporating cultural aspects alongside language acquisition. The chapter provides a detailed definition of ICC, emphasizing its three main components: effective communication, perspective-shifting, and culturally appropriate behavior. It further explores the relationship between ICC and linguistic competence, arguing that cultural awareness is crucial for preventing misunderstandings and facilitating effective communication. The chapter highlights the role of ICC in increasing student motivation and encouraging self-reflection, emphasizing the importance of understanding diverse cultures and perspectives.
East is East: A Summary of the Plot: This chapter provides a concise summary of the plot of the film "East is East," focusing on the narrative's core conflict: the clash between Pakistani traditions and British values within a multi-generational family. The chapter briefly introduces the key characters and outlines the central themes of cultural difference, family dynamics, and identity formation within a multicultural context in 1970s Britain. This sets the context for subsequent chapters that analyze the film's pedagogical value for teaching intercultural competence.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Intercultural Competence, EFL, Film in Language Teaching, "East is East," Multiculturalism, Cross-Cultural Communication, British Pakistani Culture, Teaching Resources, Lesson Planning, Cultural Conflict, Identity, Motivation.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Language Preview for Teaching Intercultural Competence using "East is East"
What is the purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of a paper that explores the use of the film "East is East" to teach intercultural competence (ICC) in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classrooms. It includes a table of contents, objectives, key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The paper focuses on the definition and importance of ICC in EFL education, the use of film in EFL teaching, an analysis of "East is East" as a case study for teaching intercultural understanding, and the development of a practical teaching unit and lesson plan based on the film. It also explores cultural conflict and coexistence within a multicultural family setting.
What is covered in the "Introduction" chapter?
The introduction highlights the increasing use of films in EFL classrooms and emphasizes the importance of selecting relevant films aligned with specific educational aims, particularly ICC. It introduces "East is East" as a case study, focusing on its suitability for teaching intercultural understanding due to its depiction of cultural conflict within a British Pakistani family. It outlines the paper's structure.
What is discussed in the chapter on "Intercultural Competence and Its Importance in School"?
This chapter defines and details the significance of ICC in modern foreign language education. It discusses the evolution of cultural focus in EFL teaching, providing a detailed definition of ICC, emphasizing its three main components: effective communication, perspective-shifting, and culturally appropriate behavior. It explores the relationship between ICC and linguistic competence and highlights the role of ICC in increasing student motivation and encouraging self-reflection.
What does the chapter "East is East: A Summary of the Plot" contain?
This chapter offers a concise summary of the plot of "East is East," focusing on the clash between Pakistani traditions and British values within a multi-generational family. It introduces key characters and outlines central themes of cultural difference, family dynamics, and identity formation within a multicultural context in 1970s Britain.
What kind of teaching resources are provided?
The paper provides a detailed teaching unit and a lesson plan based on the film "East is East," designed to facilitate the teaching of intercultural competence in an EFL context.
What are the keywords associated with this paper?
The keywords include: Intercultural Competence, EFL, Film in Language Teaching, "East is East," Multiculturalism, Cross-Cultural Communication, British Pakistani Culture, Teaching Resources, Lesson Planning, Cultural Conflict, Identity, and Motivation.
What is the overall argument of the paper?
The paper argues for the suitability of the film "East is East" as a valuable tool for teaching intercultural competence in the EFL classroom by analyzing its narrative and offering practical teaching materials.
Who is the intended audience for this document?
This document is intended for EFL teachers and educators interested in incorporating film into their curriculum to enhance intercultural understanding and communication skills.
Where can I find the complete paper?
The complete paper is not included in this preview. This document serves as a summary and overview of the paper's content.
- Quote paper
- Katharina Zeiger (Author), 2015, The Film "East is East" in the EFL Classroom. A Lesson Plan for Senior Classes, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/458188
