Into the Cultureverse

This three-part series of one-off workshops aims to develop students’ English language skills and intercultural understanding through engaging explorations of global music, social media, and popular culture. The first workshop, Around the World in 10 Genres, will examine music videos and the cultural influences that shape a range of musical genres, enabling students to explore how language, identity, and culture are expressed through music. The second and third workshops, The Pop Culture of It All, will explore English as used in memes, social media, online trends, slang, patois, and other global varieties of English. Particular attention will be given to how much of what is commonly described as “Gen Z slang” and is most prevalent in online spaces, is rooted in African American Vernacular English (AAVE), while also drawing from other linguistic and cultural influences which will be covered. Participants will then be educated on the distinction between cultural appreciation and cultural appropriation, with a focus on context, cultural ownership, and respectful communication regarding the use of borrowed terms. The workshops will help students connect with people from around the world through familiar cultural references in a safe, fun and educational environment.