6/5/2020; W7 Culture & Psychology

Culture & Psychology: The Unseen Cause of Peoples' Behavior Towards Expectations 



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Understanding Culture & Psychology


This topic is a very interesting yet so deep and intriguing for a student of culture and diversity or a teacher or anyone who wonders how people behave as regards the expectations they should meet. Professor Ivers (2020) mentioned that "all races have the tendency to live up and down to [ their] cultural expectations.

Simply put, it means people are behaving according to their cultural practices and beliefs. For example, women in the Philippines would always do the washing of dishes not the men. Men's duty is to provide the food and so the women do the chores. Men doing the dishes would not give him the best image as the provider, whereas; women remains adorable if they always do the dishes and serve the husband and the family.

So even in the classroom setting, men would always take the masculine duty and the women the feminine task. Even colors would usually be assigned according to gender such as pink to girls and blue to boys although no one really gave this color assignment to gender. However, people are more aware today of issues like equality. Men can take the work of the women or vice versa yet in reality, if you take the reverse  role you will surely be the topic or subject of jokes or gossip among your peers and neighborhood.


Reflection

Understanding the background of people and respecting their beliefs and practices is the key to avoid embarrassment. Never expect so that you won't be frustrated and avoid stereotyping. Finally, always observe how people behave and be kind and considerate to others to be safe!


Reference:

Ivers, J. (2020) Culture and Psychology.  BYUI lecture transcript
https://content.byui.edu/file/c615d56d-e670-4fbe-8b8b-64325e977465/1/06%20Culture%20and%20Psychology.html. Retrieved: June 5, 2020

6/2/2020; W7: Differences in Manners

Differences in Manners: Neutralizing the Cross-Cultural Classroom



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Behaviors of our learners are surely affected by their culture. Some students, Asians especially Filipinos, may follow the sign "Please Smile at Strangers" because they are by nature and culture accommodating and polite to strangers. But to some, like Americans. may not do it because they are not allowed by their parents to talk to strangers, so why smile at them?.

There are many differences in manners that students may exhibit in the classroom. Students' behavior can be pleasing or disturbing or unacceptable but they may not know it. The classroom or the school is the one place we expect our children to be taught and to be refined.

It is then disturbing to see students or teachers behave in a manner that may not conform to a man well- educated and refined.


How do we neutralize differences in manners inside a cross-cultural classroom?


Setting Expectations at the very start of the class could be the answer. Hathaway (2015) asserted that students' behavior expectations are rules and procedures taught to students to encourage positive behaviors and prevent problem behaviors.

Teachers are in charge of discipline in the classroom. KnowlegeReview (2020) published that setting of expectations will maintain order and decorum in the classroom. It will help students to mature and develop social skills and also lessen the stress level among the teachers.

Does it work?

In my class,  yes it does. I set the rules with the participation of the students of course at the first day of our meeting. We talked about the rules, rewards and consequences for late issues, what sign to make when going to the rest room so as not to disturb the class, talking to teachers and classmates and others.  During this meeting, the atmosphere was  relax and I made sure everyone understand and agrees with the decision. At the end of the semester, I could say that it was a success.

Oh, I also empower them by organizing class officers who helped in the class discipline and other activities too.

Again, it is setting the expectation at the very start of the class that will neutralize differences in manners. Do you agree?



References:

Hathaway,E. (2015) . How to set consistent expectation to improve student behavior
https://www.kickboardforschools.com/blog/post/behavior-management/the-value-of-consistent-expectations/ Retrieved: June 2, 2020

KnowlegeReview (2020) Establishing classroom expectations is important for better outcomes.
https://theknowledgereview.com/establishing-classroom-expectations-is-important-for-better-outcomes/ Retrieved: June 2, 2020

6/2/2020; W7: Cross-Cultural Students in the Classroom

Becoming A Teacher to Cross-Cultural Students


An honest confession 


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 I am an Asian, and I grew up studying and using another language. I have my native language and English is the language that I have been learning all this time. Owing to my interest, I studied to be an English teacher. I thought it was fun and would give me jobs in the future.

People here are also very respectful and would have a very good impression on you if you speak good English. Truly, good command of the English language will allow you to find the job or the extra jobs like hosting, voice over projects etc.

Nevertheless, I always have that feeling of doubt if I really want to teach especially in a class with cross-cultural students. My comfort zone is teaching English subject with my fellow Filipinos. Migrating or teaching in a cross-cultural classroom is a thing that I really dislike because I am afraid that students might be disrespectful and I might suffer from a serious cultural shock in the classroom.

 
The truth is 

As a student of TESOL, I soon found out the truth. I was just operating in my own culture. Teaching another language itself is crossing another culture. Immersing and embracing other culture is the key to opening the doors to accepting and loving diverse ideas and students.

On cross-cultural classrooms,  Professor Ivers (2020) pointed out in his lectures that studies show that Asian students find American educational system and treatment to students with physical disabilities are the best things they like about America. The rest of their experiences especially the behaviors of students who come from more expressive cultures were commented as rude. Asian students are also shock when non Asian students would, for example, pack up their things and leave the room before the teacher finishes the lecture.

Students therefore behave according to their  cultural background. It also means that what is rude for others may not be necessarily rude to some. 


Face the reality with positivism

For those who shares the same feelings and uncertainties as mine,  we can be assured that it is not actually bad to be disrespected or suffer from cultural shock from time to time. The most important thing is be always open to diversity and don't fail to study other cultures and background if you want to be a teacher especially in a cross-cultural classroom.




References:

Ivers, J (2020) Cross-Cultural Students in the Classroom. BYUI lectures
https://content.byui.edu/file/5ea5aa3a-0806-4dd5-8106-1ba4f85b3656/2/Cross-Cultural%20Students%20in%20the%20Classroom.html