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This is how our TEFL graduates feel they have gained from their course, and how they plan to put into action what they learned:
Cultural Sensitivity in the Classroom
The learning environment for the student is vitally important, and no less delicate then a multi layered Baklava. The learning environment can make a sudden shift, be it from a student’s mood or a serious electrical problem. However, nothing else can speedily disrupt the learning environment in a classroom as when a teacher is unaware of stepping on the toes of a student’s cultural views. A teacher must therefore be aware of the areas of cultural sensitivity among their students and within themselves. In this paper we will look at three areas of cultural sensitivity. Every culture has a perspective and opinion about male/female roles, social expectations, and clothing appropriateness. Many times these views are different from what the teacher is accustomed to. How should the teacher respond? How should they approach these situations? One helpful maxim is, “Another’s view is neither right nor wrong. Its different.” With this approach a teacher will gain a milestone in the journey of dealing with cultural sensitivity in the classroom. A teacher’s own bias can put down roadblocks and upset the learning environment for the student. But an understanding mind and a willingness to learn opens doors and keeps the learning environment stable for the students. Furthermore, humility will protect the teacher from offending their students as the students will make leeway for mistakes. When teaching students where the male/female roles are strongly defined (as in some eastern cultures), a western culture teacher must be very aware. Watch the students as they interact with one another. Are women uncomfortable when paired with a man? Is eye contact avoided? Watching is one way to be a learner, but listening to your students also reveals much. Sometimes a student will approach the teacher alone and offer suggestions or explain situations as it relates to male/female roles and relationships. If you are a female teacher, are the men in your class struggling with the role reversal? Is there a way you can shift your teaching load? Remember, humility, an understanding mind, and a willingness to learn will keep the learning environment healthy and profitable for all. Social expectations, like respect and hospitality, vary in intensity from culture to culture. This becomes a sensitive area when something is communicated by one culture that is misinterpreted by a different culture. In some eastern countries it is compulsory that one shows respect to an older person or a person of higher rank. They may do this by standing in the person’s presence. Imagine a roomful of students who suddenly stand when an older student enters. This may seem silly to the teacher, but the behavior is neither right nor wrong. It is different. Does the teacher stand as well? And if they do, what are they communicating? In this situation a teacher may find it necessary to pull another student aside to understand their perspective. The teacher needs to be a learner. Clothing appropriateness can become a very sensitive issue. Women in the west may say that what they wear is an expression of taste and personality. But a Muslim woman from an eastern culture would say what she wears defines her. It defines her beliefs, and expresses her decisions and commitments. If a teacher or fellow classmate encourages a Muslim woman to “uncover her head/face”, it could strike pain at the heart of her identity. Such insensitivity could bring on repercussions that would linger in the classroom. The learning environment would no longer be healthy and profitable for all. A teacher has an incredible opportunity to bring relief and understanding between various cultures in the classroom. This can only be accomplished as a teacher adopts humility, an understanding mind, and a willingness to learn. Remember, another’s view is not right or wrong. It is different.
The learning environment for the student is vitally important, and no less delicate then a multi layered Baklava. The learning environment can make a sudden shift, be it from a student’s mood or a serious electrical problem. However, nothing else can speedily disrupt the learning environment in a classroom as when a teacher is unaware of stepping on the toes of a student’s cultural views. A teacher must therefore be aware of the areas of cultural sensitivity among their students and within themselves. In this paper we will look at three areas of cultural sensitivity. Every culture has a perspective and opinion about male/female roles, social expectations, and clothing appropriateness. Many times these views are different from what the teacher is accustomed to. How should the teacher respond? How should they approach these situations? One helpful maxim is, “Another’s view is neither right nor wrong. Its different.” With this approach a teacher will gain a milestone in the journey of dealing with cultural sensitivity in the classroom. A teacher’s own bias can put down roadblocks and upset the learning environment for the student. But an understanding mind and a willingness to learn opens doors and keeps the learning environment stable for the students. Furthermore, humility will protect the teacher from offending their students as the students will make leeway for mistakes. When teaching students where the male/female roles are strongly defined (as in some eastern cultures), a western culture teacher must be very aware. Watch the students as they interact with one another. Are women uncomfortable when paired with a man? Is eye contact avoided? Watching is one way to be a learner, but listening to your students also reveals much. Sometimes a student will approach the teacher alone and offer suggestions or explain situations as it relates to male/female roles and relationships. If you are a female teacher, are the men in your class struggling with the role reversal? Is there a way you can shift your teaching load? Remember, humility, an understanding mind, and a willingness to learn will keep the learning environment healthy and profitable for all. Social expectations, like respect and hospitality, vary in intensity from culture to culture. This becomes a sensitive area when something is communicated by one culture that is misinterpreted by a different culture. In some eastern countries it is compulsory that one shows respect to an older person or a person of higher rank. They may do this by standing in the person’s presence. Imagine a roomful of students who suddenly stand when an older student enters. This may seem silly to the teacher, but the behavior is neither right nor wrong. It is different. Does the teacher stand as well? And if they do, what are they communicating? In this situation a teacher may find it necessary to pull another student aside to understand their perspective. The teacher needs to be a learner. Clothing appropriateness can become a very sensitive issue. Women in the west may say that what they wear is an expression of taste and personality. But a Muslim woman from an eastern culture would say what she wears defines her. It defines her beliefs, and expresses her decisions and commitments. If a teacher or fellow classmate encourages a Muslim woman to “uncover her head/face”, it could strike pain at the heart of her identity. Such insensitivity could bring on repercussions that would linger in the classroom. The learning environment would no longer be healthy and profitable for all. A teacher has an incredible opportunity to bring relief and understanding between various cultures in the classroom. This can only be accomplished as a teacher adopts humility, an understanding mind, and a willingness to learn. Remember, another’s view is not right or wrong. It is different.
