Thank you very much for deciding to become a Global Ambassador for your country by promoting appreciation and understanding of your culture! As a Global Ambassador, you will enhance your resume, develop public speaking and presentation skills, meet new people and have fun!

Your presentation should be fun, comfortable and easy-going. All that is required is to give a short talk about yourself (your history, country, field of study and your future plans) and then allow the audience to ask questions. Plan your presentation based on your comfort level and the requests of the teacher.  

In these guidelines, you can find some ideas to help you organize your presentation. Included is a list of your responsibilities as a Global Ambassador, presentation ideas and topics, as well as information about American classrooms.

• Your Responsibilities
  
• Information on the American classroom
  
• Church groups
  
• College Classrooms
  
• Community Groups
  
• Presentation Ideas
  
• Presentation Supply Ideas
  
• Suggestions for Speaking to grades K-12
  

Your Responsibilities

1. The requestor of the meeting or the Global Ambassadors coordinator will contact you to discuss:
• Meeting location & transportation
• Age group & type of audience
• Length of meeting
• What subjects to discuss
2. Please arrive on time to the meeting place.
3. Please inform us immediately if there are any changes, cancellations, etc… so that we can find an alternative solution.
4. Please speak loudly, slowly and clearly. Make eye contact, if you are comfortable with it. Make sure that everyone can hear and see you.
5. Stop periodically to see if there are any questions, and ask the audience a few questions.
6. Involve the audience in an activity (song, dance, teaching them ABC or to count 1-5 in your language, writing their name on the board in your language, etc.)
   

Information on the American classroom

Generally, the elementary schools are grades kindergarten through sixth, ages five to twelve. The junior high or middle schools are grades seven through nine, ages thirteen to fifteen. Senior high schools are grades ten through twelve, ages sixteen through eighteen. Most schools are public and funded by tax money while some schools are private for which parents pay a tuition fee.

International students usually find the American classroom less formal than in other countries. Since the US educational system is concerned with individualized instruction, the children appear to have much more freedom (or less discipline). Therefore you should be prepared for a relaxed atmosphere. The teacher will be present at all times to maintain discipline. Relax, have fun and the students will do the same.

Church groups

Many church people are interested in other cultures and religions. They have no intention of converting you but just want to learn about the different foreign cultures. They might ask you to speak on week-ends or simply invite you to a dinner for a casual exchange of experiences.

College Classrooms

As a member of the college community, you are probably familiar with college classrooms.  Typically, when you are asked to speak to a class on campus, the discussion topics will be much more involved than with public grade schools.  Expect to talk in-depth about such sensitive topics as religion, sex and gender issues, education systems, politics, poverty and social class systems. The professors will usually provide you with specific details about their request.  You always have the option of declining to speak if you are uncomfortable.

Community Groups

Certain organizations in the U.S. often have cultural events or discussions where they invite international speakers to present about their culture.  Depending on the organization, these presentations can range from general cultural topics to specific issues about your country or region.  Sometimes these groups are looking for international talent to perform a traditional dance or song for their event.  In any case, inform yourself about the event before you decide to participate. Examples of organizations include:

• United Nations Association
• Girl Scouts of America
• Senior centers
• Women or minority organizations
• Local government
• Libraries & Museums
• Service Club 

Presentation Ideas

You can choose some of the topics from those given below.  The teacher may give you suggestions or ask for certain topics to be addressed.

Geography - Describe the geography of your country

• Use a map to show where your country is located in the world, what town you are from
• Point out the neighboring countries, major regions and cities, landmarks such as lakes and rivers
• Compare the size of your country to a state or area in the U.S.
  

Language – Talk about your country’s official language(s) and other dialects

• Write your name on the chalk board and teach them to pronounce it
• Show them your writing system- alphabet or characters.  Write some of their names or other words in your script
• Teach them a few words: Hello, Goodbye, Thank-you.  Then ask them what words they would like to learn
  

Home and Family – Describe an average family.  Explain family structure and roles

• Describe dating and marriage customs.  Compare it to the U.S.
• Talk about growing up: how are children treated, how long do they live at home with their parents, what responsibilities are expected of them
  

Clothing – Describe traditional and modern clothing, current trends and taboos

• Wear clothes from your country.  Invite the kids to dress up and show them how to wear the clothes
• Compare clothing trends with those in your country
  

Manners – Describe manners and customs.  What is acceptable behavior, what is not?

• Describe how people greet each other.  Teach them common greetings in your language
• What is acceptable behavior at the dinner table, in a meeting, in school, during religious services, etc.
  

Food – Discuss meals and mealtimes, typical foods, food preparation, manners while eating

• Bring pictures or samples of food (preferably dry and individually wrapped)
• Talk about what foods from home that you miss. Talk about your favorite American food
  

Education – Describe the school system, explain grade levels and school subjects

• Describe the size of the classroom, the levels of homework, and accepted classroom behavior
• Talk about lunch time, recess, field trips, and after-school activities as they exist in your country
  

Entertainment and Leisure Time – Describe what people do for fun.  How much leisure time do people have and what do they prefer to do with it?

• Talk about what people do after school/work and on weekends.  Do you have movie theatres, bowling alleys, dance clubs, etc.
• Describe your impressions of American TV and movies compared with those in your own country
• Bring in a CD or cassette of traditional and/or popular music from your country.  Teach them a traditional dance
  

Sports – Discuss favorite sports and athletics in your country

• Talk about famous athletes from your country
• Describe typical sports played at school
  

Holidays – Describe major secular and religious holidays, traditional activities and customs

• Bring in holiday clothing and decorations.  Describe their meaning
• Describe national political holidays.  Do you have an Independence Day?
  

Religion – What is the predominant religion of your country? How does it affect daily life?

• Describe religious figures, symbols and places of worship
• Describe the origin of important religious holidays and how they are celebrated
  

Government and Economy – Describe your country’s government.  How was it formed and how long has it been in existence? Describe your economy and currency system.

• Talk about your current leader and other famous leaders from the past
• Talk about major events that helped shape your government
• Bring in a flag and explain its meaning
• Bring in examples of your currency and compare its value to the U.S. dollar
• Describe common jobs and careers in your country

Presentation Supply Ideas

Bring samples of the following, if you have them, to help enhance your presentation:

• Traditional Clothes
• Map
• Photographs
• Flag
• Posters
• Money
• Toys
• Decorations
• Holiday materials
• Traditional food
• Music
• Books
  

Suggestions for Speaking to grades K-12

Grades kindergarten to second (5-7 years)

1. Show students where your country is on the map
2. Teach them to count 1-5 in your language
3. Teach them a song or a dance
4. Show pictures of your country and play music
5. Demonstrate, involve the students, ask questions and answers, don’t lecture!
6. Talk about your family and customs, compared to the US
   

Grades three to six (8-12 years)

1. Describe school for you when you were their age
2. Talk about the games you played
3. Teach them a song or a dance
4. Show pictures of your country and play music
5. Show them the national dress
6. Describe your home life with brothers and sisters
   

Grades seven to twelve (13-18 years)

1. Talk about your educational background and what you are studying here
2. Talk about family structures, dating, marriages
3. Show slides or pictures
4. Compare your country with the US
5. Discuss socio-economic situations in your country
6. Describe your country’s problems and how they are been dealt with
7. Encourage questions
8. Compare daily activities of teenagers in your country with their activities in the US
9. Teach them a few greetings, phrases, or words in your native language
10. Describe the geography of your country. Use a map to talk about various regions, climate, major cities
11. Tell about your government. How was it formed, how long has the form of the government existed? How are the leaders selected?
12. Describe the favorite sports/ recreation in your country
13. Discuss meals and kinds of food. Who cooks in your home? Which meal is most important? Describe your adjustments to and preferences in American food
14. Compare television, movies, allowances and clothing
15. Tell about school life including required subjects and extracurricular activities
16. Take a CD of popular music from your country, compare it with traditional music
17. Discuss and explain events that recently have brought your county to the news. Name famous people or inventions from your country

Thank you for providing such a marvelous multi-cultural experience to the Fort Collins community!