Americans Viewed by the Spanish: Using Stereotypes to Teach Culture

Who has blond hair and blue eyes, is as muscular as Rambo, rides a horse for transportation, and drinks beer with his morning pancakes and peanut butter? According to a group of young Spaniards studying English in Madrid, the person who fits this description is none other than the typical American male. Stereotypes like these-inaccurate characterizations of Americans by foreigners- can be used in the classroom to help our students evaluate their own preconceived ideas about