Saturday 1:30 - 2:20 PM
TTI, 303/4
Using Graphic Organizers to Advance Intercultural Disclosure and
Awareness
Richard J. Hodge, Ritsumeikan University, Japan
Wayne Johnson, Ryukoku University, Japan
This paper describes an Action Research project which explores how student
generated "graphic organizers" support richer disclosure and competency
in impromptu English conversation.
Graphic organizers encompass a wide range of expressive forms, including:
brainstorming, clusters, schedules, charts, and drawn images. Graphic organizers
activate and develop schema, elicit learner disclosure, and support speech.
They also allow students to develop an understanding of a body of knowledge,
gather and explore new information, access prior knowledge, and share this
information with their peers.
This Action Research project specifically focuses on how graphic organizers
have been incorporated into Japanese university classes. Over a period
of time, this technique has helped students develop an awareness and skill
for using an appropriate level of disclosure in intercultural and cross-cultural
settings. Given the
wide variety of different disclosure levels in various cultures, this
research has focused on the importance of raising learner awareness of
these differences.
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