TEFL Gonzales Texas

Having studied International Relations in school and then continuing to work in the field of cultural exchange, the value of cultural sensitivity is not lost on me. While it is true that culture is difficult to measure or track, it is also true that to ignore it in the classroom could lead to disastrous results. Culture is defined as a shared set of learned beliefs and perceptions. The culture that you are raised in informs not only your behavior and customs, but also the way you relate to other people and the way you reflect upon yourself. Culture is the context within which individuals structure their lives. Naturally, when individuals attempt something new or take a risk, their culture becomes even more important. In the esl classroom, both in english speaking countries and, especially, in the students' home countries, cultural sensitivity is important. The esl classroom is a place of cultural exchange and the presence or absence of cultural awareness can drastically change the atmosphere of the classroom, the willingness of the student to participate and learn as well as the ability of the teacher to manage a classroom. In her book Foundations and Current Issues of Early Childhood Education, Leslie Antiskay notes that teachers should become culturally sensitive individuals in order to be better able to communicate with students. She suggests that in order to understand culture and its importance, teachers should experience what it is like to live in a culture different from their own. This could take the form of moving to a different country or exploring what it is like to be a minority within their own country. In this way, teachers will understand the importance of students' own culture and the security that it can afford. Also, doing background research into students' culture will help teachers plan appropriate lesson plans (Antiskay, 2009). Sometimes a little effort by the instructor can greatly improve the quality of the students' experience. For example, when teaching japanese students, it would be unwise to give students a passage about tattoo artists as even to this day tattoos are still strongly associated with yakuza, members of organized crime. What in the majority of people in the united states seems inconsequential, could been viewed very differently in other places, or even to minorities in the united states. Naturally, different approaches must be taken in monolingual and multilingual classrooms. When dealing with a monolingual classroom, it is essential that the teacher do research regarding cultural norms before arriving in the country or beginning classes. teachers should choose culturally relevant materials and use authentic english materials that are culturally appropriate for students (Stubbs, 2011). Cultural exchange is naturally occurring between the teacher and the students, so it is important that trust and respect of both cultures is present in the classroom. This will make students comfortable and willing to learn as well as gain an understanding of some cultural aspects of english speaking countries. Multilingual classes contain a different set of cultural challenges. The teacher must balance all the students' different cultures equally. This may be challenging given that students will be at different language levels and perhaps different levels of comfort within the host country. Antiskay suggests that teachers combat this by employing activities that promote cultural awareness across the board without zeroing in on one culture. A huge factor in the ability of teachers to both engage and control students is the presence of a good relationship between the former and the latter that is grounded in mutual respect. Without an acknowledgement and understanding of culture, this type of rapport is impossible. Culture is unconsciously a part of everything we do and must be accounted for. In the esl classroom this becomes particularly true, as it is naturally a place of both exchange and education. Including cultural sensitivity in lessons is not only beneficial, but absolutely integral to a successful esl course.