CULTURAL AWARENESS

cultural awareness is about understanding that our cultures impact and shape how we see the world; that differences are natural and that when we work with people from other cultures, we need to be aware of where, when, how and when our cultures may either help or hinder us in terms of communication and collaboration.

Cultural awareness can support:

1.     understanding and appreciation of your own culture

2.     understanding and appreciation of other cultures

3.     empathising with the people you mix with

4.     making more informed judgement calls on others' behaviour

5.     The reduction of mistakes and wasted time

6.     The improvement of communication and collaboration between people

7.     The growth of creativity and innovation within personal and professional spheres

The Cultural Iceberg

The iceberg is often used as a metaphor for complex themes, where what is visible is not the whole of the information to be understood.

If we think of values, beliefs, ethics, traditions, customs, morals and philosophy as being part of the iceberg that sits below the waterline and elements like dress, literature, art, laws, food, and language that sit above the waterline and therefore in view, it becomes apparent that to develop cultural awareness is a complex and long-term process. How we perceive and interpret difference is prone to bias and misunderstanding.

Use these tips from the American Psychological Association to be more culturally aware:

1.     Think beyond race and ethnicity. A person’s culture is shaped by more than the colour of their skin or the way that they dress. It’s shaped by the person’s life experiences and traditions, which may be seen or unseen to the naked eye.

2.     Learn by asking. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. People feel respected and appreciated when others take a genuine interest in who they are, so ask open-ended questions about their culture to learn more.

3.     Make local connections. Find local organizations or venues that work with a cultural group you’re interested in and stop by. Organizations like advocacy groups, religious institutions, colleges, social clubs, music & dance venues, theatres & art galleries are a great place to learn more and make connections.

4.     Pay attention to non-verbal behaviors. Meaning behind body language can sometimes differ based on cultural norms. Pay attention to how your body language is being perceived by those around you.

5.     Exchange stories. Storytelling is a great way to share experiences that go beyond culture. Initiate an open conversation by sharing a personal story or experience.

Correspondence of arts.

The main aim of the activity is to show adult learners that literature might be an inspiration for painters, musicians – artists, and you don’t have to artist to create.   

We start workshops with information about the selected writer and his work.

Henryk Sienkiewicz is the patron of the Continuing Education Center (Centrum Kształcenia Ustawicznego ), that’s why we chose this author.  

The writer's work can be an inspiration in many areas.

Learners read loud fragments of the writer's works.

Everyone chooses one of the fragments and does an artwork – an illustration of the excerpt.

The illustration may be not literal, it can be a whole fragment or focus on one sentence. 

Summary.

Learners describe what they illustrated, and what seemed most important to them.

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