Caitlin CP #4

Date/Time: February 4th, 2016, 1:00-2:00 pm
Location: Hecht House lounge (Culture Workshop)

1) What did you learn and share with your conversation partner(s)?

  I learn about the different practices and rituals involved in the school systems of other countries in today's Culture Workshop. We also discussed the different expectations of both teachers and students in our own and other cultures as well. I shared how students and teachers are expected to interact with each other and how they are expected to perform their respected roles.

2) How did the CP session inform your awareness of other cultures?

This Culture Workshop really helped to reinforce the idea that culture affects every aspect of our lives including in school. The religion, social expectations, and social customs of a society really determine how students are meant to behave in class and how teachers are meant to interact with them. I had no idea that in China and Saudi Arabia even elementary school students have a different teacher for each class unlike in America where most elementary classrooms only have one instructor that teaches all of the subjects.

3) How did the CP session inform your awareness of your culture?

 This Culture Workshop made me really think about how American culture has influenced our school systems. It certainly is not something that I would have thought about without being prompted but it is important to understand why social expectations and customs exist. I have to say though I left this session with more questions than answers such as, "Why do we not have a group exercise activity in the mornings like most other countries?"

4) How could you apply what you learned to your teaching practice?

After this workshop, I definitely see the need to talk to my future students and local teachers to find out the social expectations for myself as a teacher and what I should expect from my students. This way I still can teach them in ways that are helpful and that I think will be successful while not confusing or alienating myself from the locals. Being flexible is a must as an EFL teacher!