What would you think if anybody asked you to give a hand to help those people in Norway?
Well, it seems some people in Africa are very concerned about it:
This video was made by the Norwegian Students’ and Academics’ International Assistance Fund (SAIH).
What do you think the purpose of the video is?
Do you think this is an efective way of challenging our ideas?
Yes, but what about your own ideas about what life in Africa is really like?
In fact, Africa conjures lots of different images in our minds, but what is the image of Africa you have in your mind? Does it correspond to the real Africa?
Getting the right answer could help you enjoy the most exciting experience of your life, just as it might do for Lilly Taylor; watch the video:
- What is the aim of the video?
- How is humour used to challenge stereotypes?
- What kind of stereotypes?
- Do you think it is effective?
- Do you think it is offensive?
Now, would you be able to say how many countries are there in Africa?
First, have a look at this map:
Interesting, isn’t it?
I’d like to help you find the correct answer, click on the map and try the quiz. How many countries you got right?
If somebody asked you: What does an African man look like? What images and ideas would come to your mind?
African people are likely to have a very different picture of their continent. In fact a group of US-based African students have organised a campaign to break the stereotypes we might have about it.
You can start by having a look at the photos. Click on the image and have a look at some of the photos the students included in their campaign. What messages do they want to tell us about Africa? Choose one to comment in class.
Now click on the image below to read about the campaign
Questions
1. Say whether these statements are true or false:
a) The students think that there are not stupid questions.
b) The campaign will help visitors understand the similarities among different African countries.
c) You can only visit the campaign on the Internet.
d) The photos include some real information about Africa.
e) The campaign tries to convince people to donate money for Africa.
2. Find in the text synonyms of the following words:
2. Find in the text synonyms of the following words:
foolish, absurd (adj.):
get rid of (vb.):
consciousness (noun):
create (phr. vb.):
also (conn.):
The Learning Network of The New York Times has come in handy to provide some facts about the real Africa with an article by Tom Marshall called “Unexpected Africa: Investigating New Ways to Think about the Continent”. You will get a short text describing some features of the continent, read it and, in groups, think of a title for it. Be ready to share what you have learned about Africa!!!
Once you have finished have a look at the list of titles below and decide which is the most appropriate for your text:
Bla, bla, bla 4 