feminism project

Feminism and teaching

In modern western society, feminism gives teachers many good topics for discussion in their class. Therefore, gender equity has become one of the main topic in class. However, sometimes, we need to be concerned about this topic for EFL class, especially in patriarchal country including Korea.
Learning English is very popular in the world. However, we need to consider cultural factors for English learning in many counties except western countries.
Especially, in islamic countries, English teachers who are from western countries are not easy to pick this topic out for EFL class. They need to be careful to choose the topics for discussion there due to cultural gap. Howeverm, feminism or pop culture is very useful topic for Englsh teaching in many countries I think. The topic may make students participate in class. Because pop culture or feminism can reflect realistic issues and popular interests.
Finally, EFL teachers should consider cultural factors when they deal with feminism for their class.

Andy warhol tribute

solutions

I select two issues for oppositional reading ; "language level" and "top-down"
1. language level.
If a reader can not have appropriate language level and background knowledge to read, the reader can not take in the knowledge from a book with his / her own idea critically. Therefore, the reader just accept or receive the knowledge from the book, not through oppositional reading.
To solve this problem, first, reader must have background knowledge on many academic fields, such as economics, history, politics, anthropology etc. Recently, academic issues have been changing into the interdisciplinary. So background knowledge on many different academic fields are essential for oppsitional reading.
Second, language competence to read and figure out the context is required. So reader should level English up to read books written in English in Korea through memorizing vocabulary and reading a lot.
2. Top-down
We have just receive knowledge from teachers or seniors in Korea till now top-down, there were not any critics when we receive it. Because Korea is very hierarchical society. The positions of teachers and seniors in Korea was absolute. So there was rarely any development in philosopy and thought in Korea. When we read to overcome the top-down,
first, we should have much backgound knowledge in many academic field or
social issues through reading books, magazines or newspapers a lot.
Second, we should change educational system in Korea. The students must study through discussion or debate in their class to develop their ability to think. Third, the role of teacher should be changed into facilitator.
Before the teachers in Korea were very authoritative, so the teaching was
top-down not to think critically.

after watching cathaypacific advertisement

There may be three factors in the advertisement ; male chauvinism, racism,the connection between the oppressed and oppressor.

1. There are not any women except stewardess in the advertisement. There may be implicit message on male chauvinism. The all male passengers sit on comfortable seats. The stewardess who may represent women serves for the males.
2. There are not any Asian or African except stewardness who is Asian woman
in the advertisement. There may be implicit message on racism or racial decrimination. The all white male passengers sit on comfortable seats. The stewardess who may represent non-white person serves for the whites.
3. There may be the connection between the oppressed and oppressor in the advertisement. The stewardess may represent the oppressed as a person who
serve for the dominant class according to hierachical social system. And
the male passengers may means the dominant class as opprssor.