Hidden study cultures: the cultural pragmatics of learning across borders
This session considers cultural pragmatics as a missing link in the literature on academic literacies and learning across cultural and linguistic borders. The session explores the study gap of learning in a second culture, based on the stories of 24 learners who have done so, gathered between 2018- 2020. I share examples of communication disrepairs that come about when student and teacher expectations about study do not match. Critical incidents are shared, revealing ways in which the language of learning fails to translate across cultures. What emerges is a revisiting of the semantics and pragmatics of learning: what it means to learn, know, study, teach, read and write. The session also leads to enquiries the teacher can ask and research for themselves, in order to prepare learners for the surprises and experiences of studying in a second learning culture.
This session is linked to a book and study project in progress:
Spiro, J. (for 2021) Crossing study borders Routledge
Dear Hidden Study Cultures attendees,
I am delighted you have chosen to join the workshop on Saturday, Hidden Study Cultures. In the session, I’ll be sharing examples of cultural surprises and collisions as both students and teachers cross from one study culture to another. It would be very interesting if you could bring to the session your thoughts in response to the following question: Have you ever been in a study setting (as learner or teacher) where you thought: I wasn’t expecting that! They do things differently here! What happened and what did you do about it?
We’ll be looking at what can be learnt about our own assumptions and about the ’new’ study culture from these surprises; and discussing how we might learn from and prepare for the unexpected.
Looking forward to talking further about these ideas and meanwhile
sending best wishes, and looking forward to 'meeting' on Saturday.
Jane Spiro
Open Zoom
