Melissa W. CP#4

Date/Time: 2.4.16 @ 1:00
Location: CIES student lounge
Topic discussed: socialization/classroom behaviors in different cultures
Cultural and/or linguistic topics you and your partner learned: I learned that as well as in Texas (sometimes we actually touched on in the TELF class), in some nations corporal punishment is still regularly administered (a West African boy share this with me). Also- in Kuwait it is considered respectful to rise when your teacher arrives and wait for a verbal command (to which you have a usual response) before you sit and the class begins. Things like, how to participate in class (raising ones hand, being called on randomly, being provided with verbal correction in front of other students) is fairly normal in a lot of places. A boy from Venezuela shared that in his country teachers often make so little they have multiple jobs, therefore they are not available to students for after hours help. A girl from China shared with us that in her country you are expected to be on time (1 minute is considered late) and remain in your sit and attentive throughout the class (bathroom passes/emergency phone calls not accepted). Group work, extra curricular activities, teachers battling cell phones seems to be a common thread. It's clear to me that learning about whichever host classroom culture I find myself in, is necessary in effectively dealing with what I may consider problematic behavior. Or, discovering what is not considered rude or unacceptable behavior.