This course consists of ten topics, each containing four sub-topics, designed to meet the requirements of 32 teachers’ in-class instruction plus 32 students’ self-study outside class. Instructors can freely select and combine relevant topics, activities, and exercises according to their teaching needs and students' English proficiency.
The ten topics are as follows: culture, education, environment, food, health, holidays, jobs, love, sports, and travel. The main contents include: definitions of culture and metaphors for culture; differences in cultural beliefs between Chinese and foreign cultures, such as collectivism and individualism, high-context and low-context cultures; China’s twelve zodiac animals and the similarities and differences in animal symbolism between China and other countries; differences in body language; differences in educational systems, structures, and philosophies; environmental issues and their harms and measures; personal actions to save the planet; definition of Chinese food; differences in dietary cultures, eating habits and table manners; differences in the celebration of holidays and customs across countries; differences in medical practices and health concepts; differences in work attitudes; differences in views on love, marriage, and parenting across countries; differences in sports events and sportsmanship; and the pros and cons of famous landmarks and transportation methods. Through this course, students will not only master cross-cultural communication skills but also enhance their cultural confidence and sense of national pride.
The course design features the following three main aspects:
1. Enhancing Students' Cultural Confidence and Patriotism through Comparing Aspects of Different Cultures
When lecturing on the topic “culture”, we focus on introducing major concepts such as Chinese collectivism, Western individualism, high-context culture, and low-context culture through audio and video materials. This will help students accurately understand differences in communication styles and the meaning of cultural confidence. Additionally, by exploring the "Three Ox Spirit" proposed by General Secretary Xi Jinping, we discuss how similar meanings are expressed differently across countries and explore the cultural differences in animal symbolism to deepen students' understanding and recognition of outstanding traditional Chinese culture, thereby enhancing their cultural confidence and sense of national pride.
2. Integrating Educational Elements into Teaching Contents to Guide Students in Establishing Correct Values
While explaining Chinese collectivism and Western individualism, as well as high-context and low-context cultures, we focus on the issue of children living with their parents. Using resources such as China Daily and BBC's Six Minute, we discuss the different views of young people in America, England, South Korean, and China on living with parents during different eras and during the pandemic. This will guide students to appreciate their parents and improve parent-child relationships. When discussing sportsmanship, we concentrate on stories and spirit from Chinese women's volleyball, women's soccer, and table tennis teams to set positive examples, helping students understand that there are no shortcuts to success and that success can only be achieved through persistent effort.
3. Conducting Classroom Practices to Promote Students' Understanding and Recognition of Chinese Culture
Activities such as individual presentations, pair work, and group discussions will be conducted in class to help students gradually understand and appreciate the similarities and differences between Chinese and Western cultures. This will also encourage students to give speeches on themes such as Chinese stories, Chinese medicine, and Chinese culture, enhancing their ability to use English effectively to share the positive aspects of China. While cultivating internationally-minded individuals who are familiar with global norms and proficient in foreign languages, we also aim to foster firm believers in the core socialist values.
