Making the Familiar Strange

by

Stephen M. Ryan


1. Objectives and Overview

Activity Overview:

In this activity, students read and enter questions about a text purportedly written by an anthropological observer of a foreign culture. In fact, the practices described in the text are very familiar to the students: they are part of Japanese lifeways and all students in the class are intimately familiar with life in Japan. The intention is to make the familiar strange.

General Learning Objectives:

  • to understand that the way outsiders see us is different from the ways we see ourselves

Specific Learning Objectives (optional):

  • to see a place you know well through the eyes of a professional observer 
  • to understand how professionals observe

Keywords:

intercultural awareness, culture self-awareness, identity, study abroad, ethnographic observation

2. Activity Context

Activity context description

This activity was conducted as part of a pre-departure course for a group of students who were planning to study abroad. The whole course was about how to be a reflective observer of your host country. This particular activity was intended to sensitize the students to the techniques and shortcomings of observation.

Students

Suggested range of students:
2
3
4
5
8
10
15
20
Do students need to use a second language?
Yes
What is the second language?
English
Level(s) in target language:
Pre-intermediate | CEFR A2 | IELTS 2.5-3.0 | TOEIC 225-500
  • These levels are approximations 
Comments

The text itself is in English, as is the worksheet (though that can be used in a translated version). The discussion could be in L1 or in English.

3: Activity Duration

Estimated duration (multiple ranges possible):
45-60 minutes
How many sessions?
2
Any homework?
Yes

4. Download PDF

PDF document Ryan, S. - Making the Familiar Strange (ICLE AI #6).pdf



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