Module 5 Part 8

Task 1

Imagine that you are a student and decide to pursue your master’s degree overseas. You head to a different country, where you don’t know the local language, and you study in English. You know fellow international students because they live in your dormitory. You get to interact with local people who happen to speak English, for example, your professors, your dean, local students in your classes or a barista in the cafe you sometimes go to. However, there are groups and types of people who you frequently meet, but they only speak the local language. Now think: Who are they, for example? What may they think of you? What are you missing, not being able to talk to them?

Select three groups and speculate. You can choose from these groups or make up others: other university students; senior citizens in your town; your shopkeepers; the vice dean for student affairs; head of the university sports centre; staff at the university canteen; librarians at the municipal library; your neighbours next door; therapists; staff at the clinic you are assigned to; people in your bus stop; students at the students club you are interested; etc.

Decide:

1. How, what do some of these group members think of you matters? Do you think they would have different ideas of you had they been able to speak to you?
2. What is the most valuable piece of information you are cut off from, not being able to speak to some of these groups? Had you been able to communicate with them, what would you gain?