Ethnographies of Learning.

Ways in which culture in general and cultural change in particular affect approaches to and attitudes toward learning are examined, drawing on both published evidence and personal experience to support the position that changes in underlying technological and economic conditions create differing cultural behaviors, customs, values, beliefs, mythologies, and psychologies. Examples are offered to demonstrate how these changes are reflected in culturally distinct approaches to learning. Major cross-cultural parameters such as collectivism vs. individualism, power distance, availability and control of resources (including learning resources), and socio-historical context for learning within the community are discussed. Specific suggestions are made for teachers, instructional materials developers, and others wishing to address these issues in classroom language learning materials. It is suggested that such materials might be particularly useful in instruction for intercultural communication, international issues, English for academic purposes, and English-as-a-Second-Language reading and writing instruction. Contains 36 references. (Author/MSE)