I don't think I really considered or cared much about how students from other cultures think students from the United States treat teachers. This is one aspect of cross-cultural students that I have not thought about. Now that I am aware of it, it also brings up the prospect of if I ever go to another country and teach in a classroom where I am the one not from the culture I will need to understand how a teacher is supposed to act to avoid misunderstandings with students and colleagues. I will also need to keep this in mind as I proceed with plans to teach English online since I will have students from many different countries and cultures.
I believe it is important to understand cultural norms and differences to help all students in a classroom to understand one another and me as the teacher. Since I intend to have classes with more than one student using a video chat platform I need to be aware of these and I believe it will be beneficial for me to teach some lessons about cultural differences so that my students are more aware as well.
Students love to learn about cultural differences. Some things are shocking for them while others are just funny. So you will greatly enjoy teaching cross-cultural differences to your students.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I read about your plans to live for a year in Europe. I live in Georgia. It is not really Europe but it is a very interesting country and it is not as expensive as Europe so I suggest exploring this option.
ReplyDeleteIt is good to remember that some students have never left their homes. As children, they aren't responsible for shopping and working yet. They are to be getting their education so they have no experience with the outside world. Most of my students love learning about what other people have, see and do! (the zoo animals are amazing to them!)
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