When we enter a foreign language classroom, we bring more than just textbooks and dictionaries - we bring our own hidden assumptions. From “some nationalities are naturally better at grammar” to “accents define intelligence,” linguistic stereotypes silently shape the way we teach and how students learn. But what happens when the classroom is a beautiful, chaotic mix of cultures, languages, and backgrounds?
Language learning is rarely just about vocabulary and grammar; it is deeply intertwined with identity, culture, and perception. Culture, as a complex phenomenon, defines bith the value system of a society and the individuals within it. By comparatively studying cultures and languages, we often form stereotypes. However, examining these stereotypes actually helps develop intercultural competence - a vital component of communication. By comparing linguistic and cultural stereotypes in their native and target cultures through active interaction, students acquire the essential communication skills needed for global connection. As a result, language learning transforms into true intercultural learning, aimed at overcoming biases and deeply understanding the realities of the target language countries.
Join us at Ernst-Lohmeyer-Platz 3, SR. 1.13 or online.
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Contact
Teaching Internationally
Domstraße 11, 17489 Greifswald
Telefon +49 3834 420 1331
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