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Being culturally aware and sensitive is extremely important in the facilitation of learning, and teaching. Prior to teaching a new course I would like to be able to do research the city/country that I will be living and working within, as well as the various dynamics that may be presented in the classroom specific to that country. In an ideal situation I would have time to meet with people that have lived and worked within this particular community so that I can get a better understanding of what is appropriate, which would inculude observation of students in the classroom, going and eating out and spending sometime in the general community. I would look at customs, religion, cultural beliefs and observations, as well as, economic structures. This would also include dynamics between how men and women interact, gender roles and what is culturally appropriate in terms of handshakes, hugs, or cheek kisses. Understanding the importance of gender roles and being able to create a safe space within my classroom for all to learn is paramount. I understand that in some cultures eye contact can be a sigh of disrespect, which can change how you are expected to teach a lesson and to introduce your students to one another. The way a teacher interacts with students can vary. I need to be aware of these subtleties prior to beginning my teaching. Knowing some of these things will also help when getting students ready for an interview, or having to converse with someone that may not have these same cultural expectations. For example, in the United States, when you are in an interview situation, you will be looking at your interviewer in the eye, and you might be in a room with multiple people. This may be an entirely new style of interview that I would need to get my students ready for, keeping in mind their cultural sensitivities. When creating lessons I would need to be aware of any topics that may be considered taboo, therefore making my students uncomforatble. Setting up a lesson, and a classroom environment goes beyond just the teaching, but providing opportunities for students to maximize their potential and grow as students, which can only be done in an environment that is open and welcoming. I ,as a teacher, need to be open minded, and available for feedback, and this will serve to help me become a better teacher. Recently, I took a Portuguese course, which is new to me, and I needed to be open to learning more about nit just a new language, but also a new culture. I learned more tha just Portuguese, but how better to connect within the community that I am living, I was able to observe ad absorb teaching practices from someone that had a goal to fully immerse me within the language. In the classroom I also will continue to air on the side of caution when it comes to some lessons. I would much rather be conservative in my approach and then be able to expand, versus teaching something that would have the potential to offend a student. This does not mean a lack of energy on my part, but more a caution with the topics. Being expressive and energetic can keep a class going, again, reminded that certain cultures prefer a lecture vs. an interactive approach. I appreciate that there are a multitude of resources available to learn about cultures and customs of various countries, and I will take advantage of utilizing those, but there is nothing like living and working in a place that will give you the full scope and sequence of what is really happening around you. I have experience working in schools in which I am the minority race. I have worked with students that come from different economic backgrounds then I was raised in, and I have met students that have changed my life because of their story. Being culturally sensitive is what will allow me to build relationships with the students in my classroom, that ultimately will allow them to be more successful in achieving their goals. Ultimately, I will need to use common sense, have a respect for the culture, and never make assumptions when teaching abroad.
