Which process involves learners adopting the cultural practices and social norms of a new culture?

Which process involves learners adopting the cultural practices and social norms of a new culture?

• A. Acculturation
• B. Assimilation
• C. Integration
• D. Enculturation

Answer: (A)

Acculturation is the process of learners adapting to and adopting the cultural practices and social norms of a new culture. In a new cultural setting, students pick up how people greet each other, how politeness is shown, classroom routines, expectations around time and collaboration, and other everyday behaviors. This doesn’t require abandoning their own cultural identity, but it involves adjusting to the host culture’s norms while navigating language and social interactions. This concept differs from assimilation, which would involve more complete adoption of the new culture often at the expense of the original one. It also differs from enculturation, which is about learning the norms of one’s own culture, and from integration, which emphasizes participating in the new culture while maintaining links to the home culture and often living biculturally. In ESOL contexts, acculturation captures the learner’s gradual movement toward functioning comfortably within the new cultural setting.

Acculturation is the process of learners adapting to and adopting the cultural practices and social norms of a new culture. In a new cultural setting, students pick up how people greet each other, how politeness is shown, classroom routines, expectations around time and collaboration, and other everyday behaviors. This doesn’t require abandoning their own cultural identity, but it involves adjusting to the host culture’s norms while navigating language and social interactions.

This concept differs from assimilation, which would involve more complete adoption of the new culture often at the expense of the original one. It also differs from enculturation, which is about learning the norms of one’s own culture, and from integration, which emphasizes participating in the new culture while maintaining links to the home culture and often living biculturally. In ESOL contexts, acculturation captures the learner’s gradual movement toward functioning comfortably within the new cultural setting.