Acculturation

Acculturation is the process of adjusting to a new place, situation, or language. Your ESL students will experience acculturation on many levels -- to the United States, to English, to American culture, to school -- the possibilities are endless. Knowing the stages of acculturation and what ESL students go through will help you understand them much better.

Stage 1

Euphoria

-excitement, enthusiasm and optimism for everything in

the host culture

Stage 2

Culture Shock

-negativity ranging from irritability to hostility, from anxiety to

outright panic

-similar to the stages of grief

Stage 3

Anomie

-gradual recovery of equilibrium and objectivity

-acknowledgment of positive and negative aspects of

both cultures

-identity crisis

Stage 4

Assimilation or Adoption

-acceptance of new culture

-recovery of self-confidence and identity

ESCORT. Help! They Don’t Speak English Starter Kit for Primary Teachers. P. 3