In our examination of the Cultura Project, we saw that the cultural nuances of an individual or a group of language learners cannot be ignored. There was one particular example that I could personally relate to from a discussion between Russian and American students. When the Americans were asked what they would do if their classmate asked for help on an exam, they all agreed that they would refuse to help. The Russians, on the other hand, were united in answering that they would assist their hypothetical classmate.
The culture in Ukraine, where I taught English for 27 months, is quite easily compared to that of Russia in this regard. During the cultural training sessions facilitated by the Peace Corps staff, the topic of cheating in the classroom was addressed. It was attributed in part to the many years of communist rule, which left its mark on Ukrainian culture. Historically, Ukrainian people have seen many hard times. If you were able to help your neighbor, it was wise to do so, as there would inevitably be a time when you too would be in need of a helping hand.
If you were working as an English teacher in another country, one with cultural norms perpendicular to those of your home country (such as behavior concerning academic honesty), how would you meet this challenge? When you teach English (or any subject) abroad, must you impose the academic standards to which you are accustomed, or is it better to conduct your lessons within the cultural framework already in place?
I think it is best to conduct lessons within the cultural framework that is already in place. It would be a huge challenge as an educator to change the rules in a classroom which are backed by the rest of the country. When I was teaching in Japan I often experienced situations which I did not think were right, but they were cultural norms. Testing styles and discipline standards in Japan are drastically different than in the United States. I often though the students would benefit from a change of approach (aka my approach) but the school system would never have supported my request so it was best for me as a teacher in a foreign country to do my best to teach the students to the best of my abilities and leave the rest to the Japanese public school system.
ReplyDeletefollow the curriculum set forth via the school (just as we would with our schools districts here in the U.S.) ~ but would you agree to share a little about how American's typically learn in U.S. schools? :)
DeleteI think the teacher should follow the rules that is already exist in place, because each country has its own cultural fram work that is difficult to change because of a teacher from other country.
ReplyDeleteExcellent question ~ if I were teaching English in another country, the first thing I would do is become familiar with the cultural norms parallel of the country I taught in ~ all the while, understanding I would first be seen as an American and not that of an American English teacher. Depending on country, a few things I would think about is simple behaviors, e.g. yawning in public, pointing with one finger, eating or passing objects with my left hand, back slapping or patting children on the head, practical jokes and most important ... chewing gum (something I do often)! As for the academic side of things, or course I would follow policies and procedures already implemented (as with any school district in the U.S.) However, when it comes to the cultural aspect, I would gently introduce some American culture. Being an American ESL teacher (or studying ESL in American) gives one the opportunity to teach and share American English culture, if you will. Our primary goal would be to teach English withing the host countries cultural framework however, sharing immeasurable American cultures face to face is a bonus! With today's social technology, (e.g. facebook) students from all ove the world are becoming familiar with American culture and therefore, sharing and / or ex;paling is a benefit for the ESL student. Although we (our CALL class) have a set framework and/or goal, I enjoy when students from other countries share their educational experiences and customs ~ something that brings us together as one. Look at it this way ... American English teachers are in essences Ambassadors for the United States; as well as, our International students. The impression YOU leave, affect the students, their families, and all o the student's acquaintances. Bottom line, yes follow the rules ... yet share. Thanks! Cat
ReplyDeleteBTW, where do you live in the Ukraine? My husband went to school with the Director General of Ukraine (which is our equivalent to the Secretary of Defense). Genna, and his family visits every couple of years :)
ReplyDeleteI lived in the north west of the country in a town called Horokhiv (in Volynska oblast). I was about an hour south of Lutsk and 2 hours north of Lviv. He is the current Director General of Ukraine? Did he go to school in the states?
DeleteCheating has been a hot issue in the field of education for a long time. I support that teacher is supposed to conduct lessons within the cultural framework already in place. However, the teacher, himself or herself, is expected to have his or her own principles. For example, if local students need to bring their own mascots like some small sequins into classroom, the teacher should allow them to do that instead to prohibit them from doing this. Some teachers might assume those students will cheat using the little mascots. But if someone really were cheating using something they brought from outside, teachers need to point out mistakes strongly so that they can be corrected.
ReplyDeleteI think culture is definitively part of teaching a language. We must not assume that students automatically know what is going on. There are a lot of new traditions/celebrations that require building some previous background, especially for older kids who missed all the basics taught in elementary school. I am also going to remember to slow down when I talk in class. I realize that my ELLs need to adjust to the rhythm of the language little by little.
ReplyDeleteI think that when you are teaching abroad, you should conduct your lessons within the cultural framework already in place. Since every culture has different norms, like you mention the people from Ukraine had to deal with many years of communist rule, which left a marked on Ukrainian culture. I am sure not only the Ukraine people would help their fellow classmates but people from Cuba would do the same thing. Like we all know Cuba is a communist country and the Cuban people help each other even with an exam. I think you would have to take in consideration their cultural background before making any judgment. It’s a great discussion.
ReplyDeleteThis idea of what we would consider cheating was always a conversation topic when I worked in Russia. The students explained that during Communist times the students would take tests "the star method" whereby 5 students would work together on an exam. I finally learned the reason why Soviet children always scored higher on exams than American children during the 80s. As a rule, we were instructed to not allow our students to cheat because many of them wanted to go on to universities in the UK and US where such behavior would be frowned on. I also told the students that you wouldn't be able to collaborate on answers with others if they moved to the US and were trying to ask someone for directions in English.
ReplyDeleteWow, I never heard about the star method, that is so interesting.
DeleteI think that in a situation like this I would probably just use it as an opportunity to explains the differences in how I do things back home. I would maybe then just have assignments where it didn't matter if students helped each other along. I think that my ultimate goal and theirs is to learn the language so whatever they feel they need to do would be fine, I don't feel that its up to me to tell them something that would make it seem as if I am there to judge how they do things. I wouldn't want to lose focus on what we are all there for.
ReplyDeleteOf course, the cultures and different values of people in any country have significant influence when talking about teaching a second language in another nation. Your experience of teaching English to Ukrainian people, and the observation of cultural while teaching there reminded me of my early age, when I was studying foreign language in my country. At this time, Poland was under control of Soviet System, which obligated us as a young learners to study a Russian language. Because most Polish people did not like communist rule,this language was not welcome, including by students in school. Since this situation, however, it will be called, part of tradition, custom or culture, this language was ignored, and no one was using it, especially in public. Instructors of Russian language were very nice, but they were still not welcome because they were teaching this language. We can observe how the value of culture, custom, or tradition of the world can be so important for a teacher of second language abroad. A foreign language teacher should respect the rules of another country, especially cultural values, tradition and customs.
DeleteIf the cultural framework is backed and enforced by the school that hired you, you should probably just follow it at best. However, I think it might also depends of the class, I never taught before, but I’ve heard that some schools allow teachers to build their own curriculum (maybe their own rules as well) and other schools that don’t. So in a case where you have the freedom to teach what you think is best, I wouldn’t see a reason why not impose your own honesty rules. Unless the teacher allows students to ask for help between, its fine, but if the activity or test is meant to measure an individual student, having a student cheat from another student will not show the true score. But again some cultures might not value education as for example, we do, they might see the educational experience as something just to get over with, not learn, and so it would be more okay for them to copy or cheat.
DeleteI think you should try to teach within the cultural framework of the host country. Knowing that the students prefer collaboration could be used as an opportunity to encourage group work, sharing responsibilities, student to student feedback, etc. That being said there are possible moments where a teacher needs to know what an individual student can produce and that assessment might come in the form of a test. I think I would explain carefully the advantage of finding out what you know or don't know as a student. I don't think all tests are high-stakes and punitive, some can be very useful to the curriculum, and therefore cheating would diminish the class a little. If it became a case where cheating got in the way of learning I would be as firm as is polite to discourage cheating.
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ReplyDeleteYes, I believe it’s important to teach within the cultural framework. As long as these cultural norms are considered morally acceptable in most societies and/or preferred in others. Also, if these cultural norms do not destroy any human values then I wouldn’t mind accepting and practicing them in classroom. However, some issues are universe and cannot be ignored such as honesty and plagiarism. I don't think these students would be truly proud of a work that they did not do. So I think it's the teacher responsibility to teach or transfer these universe ideas in order to keep the students away from being dependent. We want new generations who are able to think and to speak up their minds since sooner or later, they will face many situations where they are left alone, and we don't want them to runaway or search for a help in the first place.
ReplyDeleteThanks for such a thought-provoking post with a link directly to an example from Cultura. This really does unpack the idea of what it is we as language (and culture) educators believe our role and responsibilities are as well as what we recognize as learning, cheating, honesty, dishonesty.
ReplyDeleteThis is a perfect example of how culturally situated learning and education are and what is valued in one context can be prohibited in another.
I agree with the other students that the teacher should work within the framework of the institution to an extent. I taught in Moldova at a university where I knew "sharing" during exam time was a norm. These institutions know this and that is why most all final exams are oral in Moldova. Students typically study 100 questions and one at a time they come into the room and pick up a random card that has a question. They then have to orally answer the question. So, at least in Moldova, there is some accountability for students - though of course a box of candies and a $50 is sometimes brought into the classroom with the student on exam day. (BTW, this is an accepted form of bribery, but an example of how my personal ethics would not allow me to comply with cultural norms.)
ReplyDeleteI have found that current discussions, at least in post-soviet republics, centers around concern at the corruption and lack of accountability for students in the classroom. That being said, I would conduct the class in a way that holds each student accountable for the information they are to learn if I had the support of the institution, realizing that I might need to be creative in my approach. Thanks for a great topic of discussion.
If I were to teach in another country, I would feel more comfortable teaching within their cultural framework. I would as Cat mentioned, do research first, so I would know what to expect and what challenges might arise for me as an educator. However, I also believe that I am there as an American educator, and I have my own set of experiences in the classroom. Therefore, if I knew of another strategy/method that would work well for a particular lesson I would feel obligated to share my advice with the teacher.
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