#2404

Sociopolitical Issues in Language Instruction General Practice-Oriented Long Workshop

Reducing Presumptions

Sun, Nov 14, 14:05-15:05 Asia/Tokyo

Location: Room 01

The goal of this workshop is to examine the presumptions we make about other people, particularly people of another race, ethnicity or nationality, but also of other sexual orientation, professions, political affiliations, even age and weight. All come to bear on how we choose to interact with said person. During this session we will: 1- Define presumption 2- Attempt to identify our presumptions 3- If possible, ascertain the root / source of our presumption 4- Ascertain whether said presumption is problematic or not. 5- Establish / Uncover / Utilize Practical ways to reduce our use of presumptions (if it’s called for) Likely we all have done some version of this in our self-assessments, but I’ve found, even in myself, as I’ve conducted this workshop at universities here in Japan, that many problematic presumptions, particularly ones acquired in our formative years, tend to be resilient and will persist to wreak havoc often under the radar. So, let’s pop the hood and see what we see.

  • Baye McNeil

    Born in Brooklyn New York, Reborn in Japan. I'm a writer first and foremost. Teaching and activism spring from that. Nothing brings me more satisfaction than telling a story well. Well, except a great Onsen, My mother once told me that I would make a positive difference in the world. I have a feeling she's right but who knows? Moms always seem right don't they? So I believe her. We'll see won't we?