Dealing with stereotypes

[ Editorial note: this lesson plan and lesson outlines 3 and 4 are by Chaz Pugliese, Paris, France. They are for upper secondary and adult learners]

Aims:
this is a lesson on stereotypes. It will get your learners to think of stereotypes, how they affect us, how they're shaped, and what can be done to get rid of them.

Skills: Speaking

Level: Intermediate and upwards

Procedure:

1. Ask your learners to work in groups and write a definition for the word stereotype. When they're done, have them compare their own definition against a dictionary entry for the same word.

2. Now invite them to draw a list of stereotypes associated with (a given topic).

3. Next explain that you would like them in pairs to rank-order the stereotypes from most to least irritating.

4. Still in pairs, the learners now discuss and decide which stereotypes are definitely false, and which are not so far from being true.

5. Now ask them to focus on one of the stereotypes and go through the following questions:
a. Where's this stereotype coming form?
b. Where is it leading us?
c. How does it affect me?
d. Why does it irritate me?
e. How can I set the record straight?
f. Do I have any personal experiences related to this?

6. Hold a plenary discussion and allow the learners to exchange their views.

Homework:
Ask the learners to write a note/letter to the author of the stereotype and explain why they are wrong.