Cherepenina Ira, Sokolova Alya 7 grade school № 356, Moscow
Supervisors: Peshcherskaya Olga Fyodorovna, a teacher of English language,; Kapitsyna Ekaterina Borisovna , a teacher of English
Project: “Watch out: stereotypes! Seeing is believing!”
The innovation of the approach and the topicality of our work is based on the hypothesis that if we debunk false stereotypes about Russia it will help us to let more foreigners know true Russia and its real image.
This year is dedicated to cultural values of Russia. It is declared as the International Year of Russian Culture. It includes culture of behavior, relations and customs.Russia is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.We want to put forward two main reasons of choosing this topic. Firstly, nowadays all people are involved into globalization. Secondly, the question of values becomes important when we cannot understand and explain the behavior of foreigners. In most cases this is what is usually called "cultural misunderstanding".So, the learning of the right stereotypes and models of behavior will help to break cultural misunderstanding and live in a global society with a common system of values.We want to show real Russians, their customs and traits of character and ways of living. It’s up to you to accept or not my ideas.
Methodological characteristics of our research
The aim of the research is to stress more popular and common stereotypes about the Russians, our country, disclose them and to create the right picture of Russia and Russian national character.
Tasks: to investigate different types of myths and beliefs; to dispel some false and mistaken myths about Russia; to interview some foreigners to uncover their knowledge on this topic;
Object of the study:Russia and the Russians as they are.
Subject of the study:Different stereotypes about Russia.
Our hypothesis:
If we debunk generally accepted stereotypes about Russia, we will create the right image of our country among people in a global society in order to help people all over the world who wants to know our country better.
The structure of the project:in the theoretical part We define the term “stereotype”, name all types of stereotypes about Russia and unmask them.In the practical part I took a poll among foreigners from different countries. The web-site (ePals Global Community, where learners connect) helped me to manage to it.We have interviewed almost 50 foreign students from Denmark, France, Poland, Switzerland and Spain.We got very interesting results and exchanged different presentations on this theme.
Inference.We have investigated different types of myths and beliefs;debunked some false and mistaken myths about Russia in the purpose to create a true picture about Russia and “mysterious Russian soul”.
Conclusion.
Never believe stereotypes! It’s much better to visit the country and look at it with your own eyes. I’m sure, hospitability; friendliness and tolerance are not only Russian features, but the individual traits that every person in the world may have.
"We must believe in Russia. Otherwise, is it worth living?"
The main practical result of this project is exchange presentations on this topic and establishfriendly relations with foreigners.