Teach English in Taihu Zhen - Beijing

Cultural Sensitivity in the Class RoomWhen teaching English in a classroom setting a teacher can soon discover that the educational setting they received their education can be radically different than the one they now find themselves in. It can be shockingly easy to offend a student to the point where they no longer want to learn English. Although culture shock is always difficult some basic and simple rules can be put in place to find out how to manage a classroom in a different culture. One important step is to know how education is viewed in the culture. In some cultures teachers are revered and given great respect, to the point that students feel rude asking questions. In other?s education (especially compulsory and public) is viewed with suspicion and doubt. It is important to know how your students will feel about teachers and school in general before they arrive. In some cultures corporal punishment is totally forbidden, but in others it is almost mandatory. This is one issue where teachers will need to know the cultural expectations around teachers. students may fear teachers because they have been hit or verbally abused in the past. It is important to use effective non-physical discipline to keep students engaged without resorting to violence with alienates students. Another key issue is to understand the basics of the culture you are teaching in. Issues like personal space, ideas of time, personal space and attitudes towards authority will be very important. In many cultures, it is total acceptable to show up late to something. students may have jobs or chores that take all day and may have poor transportation to the school. You need to encourage punctuality by making the class a priority for students. In many cultures personal space is treated differently. People require less space in some countries, more in others. Physical touch may be taboo in one culture, but encouraged (or even insulting if refrained from) in others. It is a good ideas to ask someone who has experience with the new culture you are entering about ground rules. Lastly it is important to make mistakes and allow them to serve as teachable moments. It is very likely that you will break some unwritten rule and commit a social faux pase at some point. The important thing is learn from your mistakes. It is natural to be embarrassed and fear offending the students so bad they stop paying attention or worse you lose your job. But it is important to remember that people forget and move on. As long as it is not endlessly repeated and glaring, a single mistake will be a drop in a bucket. It is also important remember that students will say or do things that you find culturally offensive. Many countries are not aware of ideas like racism, sexism or xenophobia. You will need to pick your battles. A teacher should make it clear that he treats everyone as equals and creates a fair and level field for learning. Don?t allow for racial or sexual accusations, like ?Hmongs always cheat on tests?. Although you need to make it clear that everyone is mentally equal in the classroom, you alone cannot turn the tides of an individual?s or culture?s bigotry. You should be the best example you can, rather than lecture students. In conclusion, crossing a cultural boundary can be scary and difficult. It is important to understand how education is viewed in the culture, the basic rules of a culture and to learn from your mistakes. The world is shrinking, we as global citizens need to cross boundaries as much as possible to see the world through another?s eyes. Sources http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/connect-kids-and-parents-different-cultures-0