Ethnographies of Learning

神奈川県茅ヶ崎市 This paper examines how culture in general, and cultural change in particular, effect approaches and attitudes toward learning. Both published and experiential evidence are reviewed which support the position that changes in underlying technological and economic conditions create differing cultural behaviors, customs, values, beliefs, mythologies and psychologies. Case examples are offered to demonstrate how these changes are reflected in culturally distinct approaches toward learning. Such major cross-cultural parameters as collectivism versus individualism, power distance, availability and control of resources (including learning resources), and sociohistorical contexts for learning within the community are also discussed. The article ends with specific guidelines for teachers, materials writers and others who wish to address these issues in the development of classroom language learning materials. It is suggested that such materials may be particularly useful in intercultural communication, global issues, EAP, reading and writing courses