L06:Collectivism & Individualism

"In all different culture orientations are pluses and negatives”

Should we question our own culture? I believe the answer is yes. The quote above is the reason why. Just because we were taught to act in a certain way doesn’t mean it is the best. I believe that teachers have a wonderful power to generate a “class culture”. Our classrooms can be places whit its own culture, so why not take the best from collectivism and the best from individualism and reject the worse from both orientations?

From collectivism we can learn to care for each other. I do believe that when a student acts in a certain way it will affect the learning process of the entire class, we can encourage group work. On the other hand, collectivism has its negatives like the shame that comes from making mistakes and standardization which certainly excludes those who are different.Individualism has a bright and a dark side as well. My favorite issue about individualism is how this orientation allow us to be ourselves, to question everything and to imagine infinite possibilities, however some individualism cultures also forget that the talents we develop have no meaning in we do not use them to help others.I strongly believe that as teachers we can encourage our students to question their own cultures. We can make the world better if we forget paradigms and take the best from both worlds.At BYUI I have experienced how both orientations are brought together, the learning model is a great example. You have the choice to be an agent on your own learning, and still by teaching one another what you do affects the others. I realized this is effective for me because I’m more conscious of my responsibility. 

L05: Cultural Miscommunication

“Miscommunication is rampant between cultures. And it causes a lot of difficulties; it may even cause wars. It can cause murders, it can cause sexual assaults, it can cause a lot of different terrible things. And so, it is very important to understand that miscommunication is always a big possibility.”

All over the world the political and social situation has contribute to immigration movements. In 2014 the 26 percent of the total population in the USA where immigrants. This is not an exclusive situation of the Americans; most countries receive immigrants every year. With immigration movements all over the world there is also a need for TESOL teachers with cultural literacy. Children come to the classroom with an understanding of what they know and its familiar for them. It is the teacher’s responsibility to understand that the process of communication varies from culture to culture.

Cultural miscommunication can happen in the classroom all the time. Teachers need to be aware of this, and more important they need to be prepared to respond to these situations and create awareness in their students about different cultures as well.

How to do this?

Simple adjustments can improve the cultural awareness in the classroom and avoid problems from miscommunication. First teachers need to develop a level of cultural responsiveness beyond stereotypes. This will only happen by getting to know the students, something about their families and life outside the classroom.  A second and final suggestion will be to involve the whole class in cultural activities, so they can develop a wider understanding and empathy to communicate with  others from different cultures.

L05: Cultural Differences Concerning Time

Johan Wolfgang von Goethe said “There is nothing insignificant in the world. It all depends on the point of view” This is a reality. The proof is in the differences between monochronic and polychronic cultures. I live in Mexico in a small town which is 20 minutes away from the Mexico City. I have the opportunity to experience both points of view every day.

From polychronic cultures we can learn to appreciate friends, at the end of the day what we will always have are friends and family. On the other hand, from monochronic cultures we can learn organization and respect. I can’t say which perspective is better, both have advantages and disadvantages, but again these are just different points of view.

As teachers we have a responsibility to teach our students to appreciate and question different points of view. We can learn from M-time and P-time cultures. We must help the new generations to understand that with the constant advances of technology we are living in a small world after all.

L05: Cultural Paradigms

“Culture creates false needs and false problems”

-John Ivers

Nothing illustrates better this truth than the following story.

In a certain Mexican family its a tradition to bake a pork tenderloin for Christmas. The recipe says a piece must be cut out from both sides. The recipe was like this for generations, until someone in the family asked why this should be like this. A large amount of meat was being thrown away. Until this person questioned this tradition, the result was that the recipe came from a great-great- grandmother who happened to have a very small oven, so she cut the meat pieces, so the tenderloin could fit in. So, yes culture creates false needs and false problems. Sometimes we are so convinced in our own cultural paradigms that we do not allow ourselves to question other ways of thinking.

Paradigms can also create false needs and problems in a classroom. There are cultures where the students can speak freely, and others where the teacher has the last saying. With the increasing need to learn foreign languages, TESOL teachers face the challenge of multicultural classrooms. To become the best teacher version of ourselves we need to develop cultural literacy. Cultural literacy is the awareness, acceptance and respect for self and others. Perhaps by doing so we can eliminate some false problems and paradigms. An understanding of our own culture along with an open mind about others can encourage acceptance and improve our students self-concept which has been proved to be related with academic achievement.

What do you see? Some may see a young women, others an old lady. We all think and feel different!

Is the Great American Teacher Dead?

My life has been full of amazing teachers. I started learning since I was born, my mom was the greatest teacher I ever meet. Then years of Elementary and Secondary school in Mexico followed, I’m so grateful for every teacher in my life. They inspired me to choose this career. That being said, I have to recognize that at some point in my life I sat at a boring class, full of disappointment and lack of inspiration. Now that I’m preparing to be an EFL teacher I can’t help but wonder HAVE I EVER DO THAT TO MY STUDENTS?

The author of the article Is the Great American Teacher Dead? says “Education is more than just exposing people to the facts” and I agree, but more importantly I realize that there is an urgent need for passionately, positive, inspiring, inviting, meaningful and transformative teaching. Perhaps as teachers we forget from time to time what is that brought us here. I once heard a colleague saying that teaching is the most exhausting career a person could choose, and perhaps it is true (especially with children) but the opportunities we have to make the world better are infinite, and this gives me hope that we can “resurrect the great American teacher”

Hopefully the article in question (highly recommended) give us some things to consider as we try our best to be great teachers. I would like to discuss two points: transformative and invitational education. 

Transformative Education

"We are left with the feeling that life will not be as it was before, that this experience has created a sense that we cannot go back to the way we were before the experience"

According to the text the previous quote describes transformative education. How amazing! Sometimes, as teachers, we forget how much we can change the world one student at the time, but If this is going to happen we need to be more creative. We have a complete universe full of technology tools that, when used properly, may encourage reflection and action. Creativity, I believe is the foundation of transformative education. If we want our students to get out from class with a feeling of greatness and ready to apply what they just learned, we need to change the way we deliver our “message” and we must use different ways to do it.

 Invitational Education

“Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, can become great.”

I work with children who experience academic delay. I remember when Sophie came to me, she is an 8-year-old girl who came because of her low grades. My work was to teach her study skills, but Sophie knew that already. I realize she just needed someone who trust her. Every child or student has the potential to be an A’s students, not just in the sense of grades but in life. We are in need of teachers who dare to believe their students have greatness.

After a tiny amount of trust in her abilities, Sophie became the first of her class.

The great American teacher isn’t dead, we as teachers just need to remember the real reason we choose this career. We can resurrect the great American teacher if we put a little more effort in the delivery, and if we remember how great each child can be.