Building Connections to Our Host Culture
Written by Yan Yan, Mandarin Coordinator at SCIS Pudong
When we say host culture, what do we mean? Is host culture a static object that can be approached, or, rather, is it a living thing that every one of us is breathing in and out 24/7?
While we are not here to define this concept through a sociological lens, our role as Chinese educators is one of helping bridge connections between our host culture and the classroom. At SCIS, students are not only guided by their Mandarin teachers, but also by their immediate community to build their own connection to the Chinese culture that exists all around them.
Chinese culture resides in every literary novel and book that students read in their Mandarin class. Students have the opportunity to explore essential and traditional Chinese values such as the concepts of harmony, benevolence, righteousness, courtesy, wisdom, honesty, loyalty, and filial piety through reading either Mandarin or bilingual folktales that have been circulating the Millennium.
At the same time, the curriculum also provides students with many chances to celebrate various Chinese festivals and holidays. On these occasions, students participate in hands-on activities such as making paper lanterns, dragon dance, and holiday recipes cooking.
When students share out their thoughts after reading or peek at why a holiday is celebrated in this way, they are taking the initiative to build a connection between themselves and the culture they are researching about. In this context, Chinese culture is perceived in a tangible way for everyone to observe and understand.
No matter how reliable the first connection could be, students are living in the Chinese culture every minute of their everyday lives. The way they interact with their host culture must be more than just reading about facts and stories.
However, students need guidance to reveal the connection and as teachers, it is our responsibility to shed the light on this concept and support students to better situate themselves within their host country.
These enlightenments consist of moments, both big and small. It can be a quick talk during a morning meeting about a popular hashtag on social media and from there, students can connect their thoughts and feelings with the current events that are happening in the Greater Shanghai Area.
Also, the connection can be developed in a class project that is inquiry-based and invites students to engage in more in-depth arguments about any chosen topic from their local community.
In this context, will students get a clear answer of yes or no? Hard to say. But they are undoubtedly approaching the host culture in a more meaningful and authentic way.
SCIS. International Community.
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