TEFL Pleasantville New Mexico

There is no golden rule that works across the board for helping teachers' level of cultural sensitivity in the classroom. Although it can have an extreme impact on how successful a teacher can be in the classroom, unfortunately, it is not a skill that can be taught. teachers can benefit from a good introduction to the theoretical approach to cultural awareness and inter-cultural communication; however, they must take it upon themselves to develop their own style and approach that is appropriate for the students with whom they will be working. The theoretical approach is certainly useful to helping teachers become familiar with the components that construct identity and culture. For example, there are many influences that create an overarching culture such as the politics, media, religion, history, economy, geography and more. Each of these elements impacts how people relate to themselves and others. Together they set the tone for how to interact with each other. The norms are set upon which to gauge what is considered appropriate social behavior and, perhaps even more important, what is widely considered inappropriate. Within this overarching “culture” there are also elements that create one's own identity. These factors can be much more personal and also have an impact on how a student will relate to classmates and a class structure. Family structure, gender, self-esteem and other traits help differentiate personality types within a culture and help sharpen identity. Students will bring these influences and their own personal experiences into class with them. For any teacher developing a keener, more theoretical, sense of what constructs culture and identity will be an attribute to any class, but what is more valuable is a teacher that truly has a personal interest in learning about other cultures. Interest, respect, enjoyment and equality are all elements that can not be taught. They are simply attributes that will help deepen cultural understanding and help the teacher better manage the dynamics in the classroom. As mentioned earlier, cultural sensitivity is not something that can be formally taught. Clearly factual understanding of cultural traits can be learned, but the real chemistry comes from something that is less measurable than learning facts. The chemistry comes from developing mutual respect by acknowledging differences and creating new ways as a result. Inspiration can be sparked and people's lives can change, but the likelihood of any of this happening is quite low if the teacher is personally not interested in who the students are, where they come from and where they plan to go within a global context. In this day and age each one of us has the opportunity to learn more about our global neighbors. There is more globalization now more than ever. And with that globalization each of us that take on a role in the international arena, no matter of capacity, have a responsibility to deepen our understanding—starting with ourselves and containing to others. I think this quote is especially useful in reinforcing the role of internationals as world citizens. "People of different religions and cultures live side by side in almost every part of the world, and most of us have overlapping identities which unite us with very different groups. We can love what we are, without hating what – and who – we are not. We can thrive in our own tradition, even as we learn from others, and come to respect their teachings." —Kofi Annan, Former Secretary-General of the United Nations Teaching english can be much more than simply teaching a class. It can have a profound impact on people's lives. It is bringing a lifelong skill that can truly re-unite the disenfranchised. It can open a world of global commerce for some, job opportunities or simply understanding others.