Lesson Plan: Cultural appropriation

Introduction

Show the students the following picture:

Elicit from the students ideas about what the tweet is referring to. Explain the controversy around wearing the qipao. Ask their students for some initial opinions on this.

Getting to know the vocab

Introduce the word 'cultural appropriation'. Ask students for ideas about what it means.

This is a match-up activity where students can attempt to pair the definition with the term. Explain the similarities between 'cherry picking' and 'pick and choose', and stress the differences in the definitions of cultural 'appropriation' and 'appreciation'.

Here is a further selection of words:

The meaty bit

Watch this youtube video on cultural appropriation. Perhaps skip the lingerie part, depending on the age of the students.

Revise the vocab with the students.

Chatting

Ask students for their thoughts on the topic and query if they can think of any examples from their own country/culture.

If they're quiet, here's a debate starter:

- Is it ever acceptable for a non-Japanese person to wear a kimono?

This topic often elicits very interesting answers from young people across the world.