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There is a great range of cultures in the non-English speaking countries of this world. One is acceptable it one culture may be taboo or offensive in another. When traveling to another country to teach English, it is imperative to learn about the culture where you will be teaching. This will ensure that your students will be receptive to learning English as well as participating in the classroom, making it a fun and enjoyable environment for all. A few of the key topics for being culturally sensitive in the classroom include taboo subjects of discussion and actions, learning methods, and dress codes. There are certain topics of discussion that should be kept out of the classroom as these can cause quite a range of reactions. Political and religious affiliations tend to be at the top of the list of subjects to avoid discussing or using in the classroom. These topics can cause a divide and keep students from interacting with one another or the teacher. Many cultures may also find topics such as money or on-going conflicts to be taboo or inappropriate to discuss. While many of these topics may be great for debates in higher level classes, it is best to find other topics to debate that are less taboo. Gestures are another key component of teaching. In some cultures, it is perfectly acceptable to point to individual students using a single index finger. However, in many cultures, this can be deemed offensive. Instead, using an open hand to gesture may be more acceptable. Other actions such as touching or holding eye contact for extended periods is seen as taboo and can embarrass or make students uncomfortable. These actions can diminish the teacher's ability to connect and, therefore, teach the students appropriately. Learning methods and how students act towards teachers in the classroom are another issue that can be surprising to some teachers. In many cultures, students are taught to be reserved and more passive when interacting with adults and people of authority, which is how they perceive teachers. It may be difficult to break through to students in such scenarios but learning the culture will be key. Researching how students learn in those cultures and what is common in the classroom such as games, story-telling or repetition drills are key to making students comfortable and receptive to learning in the classroom. Another cultural aspect that should be learned before beginning in the classroom is dress codes. There are many cultures where shoes are not worn inside. There may be differences in what men should wear versus what women should wear. Are certain body parts expected to be covered in that culture? Determining what is the appropriate dress attire for a teacher in that culture is important to maintaining cultural sensitivity and gaining the respect from the students. It is extremely important to research the country and cultures within that country of where the teaching will be located. This will allow the teacher to maintain the respect of the students as well as making sure the students are comfortable in their learning environment. Without this level of comfort, students are less likely to be open and receptive to learning a new language. As a teacher, you should research the customs and, if possible, contact teachers already in that area to learn more about what you should expect and how you can create a culturally sensitive classroom.
