May 26, 2018

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.

5 comments:

  1. Anonymous26 May

    Good publication.
    The teacher plays a very important role in the classroom, becomes a second parent for students, so it is important that a teacher is prepared to help, guide and strengthen the weaknesses and challenges of a student.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Rebeca
    I agree. As teachers; we need to develop a level of cultural responsiveness beyond stereotypes. I love the idea about involve whole class in cultural activities. I'm sure that it will help to understand better each cultural differences in each student.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Rebeca
    I agree. As teachers; we need to develop a level of cultural responsiveness beyond stereotypes. I love the idea about involve whole class in cultural activities. I'm sure that it will help to understand better each cultural differences in each student.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous31 May

    Oh dear, his car! I love the "How to do this" section! Really, simple adjustments is a great way to think about this. We can make adjustments and it will benefit everyone!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I actually have bought a set of CDs from a BYU professor on Islamism thinking that I needed “ to develop a level of cultural responsiveness beyond stereotypes”. Since I did not know much about Muslims and their religion, I thought understanding them better would be important to avoid bias among ny students. It has been most helpful . I think we must educate ourselves to be better prepared to help our students , build egalitarism and fairness.

    ReplyDelete

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