Multicultural Manners In School
As someone
who was brought up to have my education as a top priority, it is easy to view
others with different values as wrong or less noble. However, it is interesting
to think about how although my family has placed education at the top of the
priority list, survival really does have a spot above. I have lived more than
comfortably my whole life and never needed to worry about being hungry or
ill-dressed as many other students have. It makes me understand that some
students I may have in my classes in the future are coming in disheveled or
unready to work, not because they don’t want to or for lack of concern, but
they may have empty stomachs or an abundance of obligations beyond the scope of
the classroom that I may have little or no knowledge about. I think that in the
beginning of each school year I would like to arrange a brief one-on-one
meeting with my students. Although it may take a lot of time, getting to know
the background of my students will help both them and myself work towards
common goals throughout the school year.
Manners And Body Language Across Cultures
I have always assumed that body language is universal. Although many gestures do share the same/similar connotations across cultures, I have learned that many innocent body language expressions can be interpreted differently whether positive or negative. I have grown up with the sense that not looking someone in the eyes when they are speaking and crossing your arms while listening to someone are both signs of disrespect. However, learning from the videos that in some cultures those actions indicate the exact opposite I was blown away. After seeing and contemplating the horrible mixed/wrong messages I could be sending to future students, I will try to remember to reiterate my messages through verbal and written communication in addition to any body language I may intentionally or unintentionally convey.
Manners And Verbal Expressions Across Cultures
My previous notion to call people by their title and last name has been reinforced after watching this video. I have been taught that that was the most professional and respectful way to address others, especially those I do not know too well/personally. I also have not really considered the constant idiomatic expressions used every day and how they can be very easily misinterpreted. Although something like “the graveyard shift” is widely understood in my own culture, looking at the situation in a more literal view really helps show how an innocent expression can be interpreted completely differently. Although it does seem humorous to a certain extent, it really portrays the cultural differences in everyday life that often go unnoticed or that could potentially cause grief or discomfort between two culturally diverse people. As an educator I never want to come off as disrespectful or ignorant and once again I plan to reiterate most of what I say in order to ensure understanding. Even people of the same culture may misinterpret signals depending on their learning style and thus it is important factor to consider when teaching.
Manners And Body Language Across Cultures
I have always assumed that body language is universal. Although many gestures do share the same/similar connotations across cultures, I have learned that many innocent body language expressions can be interpreted differently whether positive or negative. I have grown up with the sense that not looking someone in the eyes when they are speaking and crossing your arms while listening to someone are both signs of disrespect. However, learning from the videos that in some cultures those actions indicate the exact opposite I was blown away. After seeing and contemplating the horrible mixed/wrong messages I could be sending to future students, I will try to remember to reiterate my messages through verbal and written communication in addition to any body language I may intentionally or unintentionally convey.
Manners And Verbal Expressions Across Cultures
My previous notion to call people by their title and last name has been reinforced after watching this video. I have been taught that that was the most professional and respectful way to address others, especially those I do not know too well/personally. I also have not really considered the constant idiomatic expressions used every day and how they can be very easily misinterpreted. Although something like “the graveyard shift” is widely understood in my own culture, looking at the situation in a more literal view really helps show how an innocent expression can be interpreted completely differently. Although it does seem humorous to a certain extent, it really portrays the cultural differences in everyday life that often go unnoticed or that could potentially cause grief or discomfort between two culturally diverse people. As an educator I never want to come off as disrespectful or ignorant and once again I plan to reiterate most of what I say in order to ensure understanding. Even people of the same culture may misinterpret signals depending on their learning style and thus it is important factor to consider when teaching.
Good,thoughtful responses to the videos! I am glad that you learned a great deal from them. We will be talking more about idioms such as "graveyard shift" when we discuss linguistic diversity.
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