2021/10/26 week07 Cross-Cultural Students in the classroom.

 Cross-Cultural students in the Classroom.

    In my previous blogs, we have looked at various aspects of cultures and how they can differ. We have also looked at the impact that these differences can have on societies. Today I would like to take a look at what happens when we have classrooms with mixed cultures.

                            

    Different cultures throughout the world have different perspectives on what the ideal student is. Some believe that a quiet, respectful student is best, while others will value a student who interrupts and asks questions or freely expresses contrary opinions. These views often boil down to different cultural paradigms.

    There is no right or wrong in this situation, it just depends on what is normal for you. However foreign students who differ to the norm may find themselves in tough situations!

    As teachers we need to keep an open mind and our hearts open to these different students. School and learning can be hard for foreigners learning in a new language, without adding the difficulty of cultural differences. We need to stop and think, is the student behaving this way to be difficult, or because for them it is normal. Keeping an open mind and erring on the side of patience and kindness will benefit everyone.

    I went to school with many different cultures in our classrooms, the dominant ones were; English, Afrikaans, Coloured (Mixed race to the rest of the world) and Xhosa. Then there would be a handful of minorities for the area like Zulus and Pedi. We did have many similarities, seeing as we were all South Africans, but we also had many differences. For some it was normally to be quiet and reserved in class, only participating when called on to do so by teachers. For others they would interrupt and ask questions whenever they felt the desire to do so. When it came time to do our work, some groups would do it quietly and individually, different ones would take the time to talk quietly amongst themselves while doing the work, yet others would talk loudly and get boisterous while doing their work. At the end of the day, we all did our work, learnt from the teacher and passed our exams. Our approaches were all just very different. The fact that we all passed shows that no one method was better than the other. Our teachers also did a great job at maintaining a balance and understanding the mixing pot of cultures, as well as helping us deal with the tensions that can arise from so many differing people  being mixed together.

    Over the years all these cultures impacted on each other, those who were more quiet learnt to ask questions and got comfortable with expressing opinions, those who were more boisterous learnt when they needed to be a bit more reserved at times. We became aware of what behaviour was good in different situations, never once was this forced on us, or were we ridiculed for how we were. A safe space for learning and growth was provided. Due to the way it was implemented we could not do anything but learn. Kindness and fair treatment going far further than any harsh words or punishments would.

    When we find ourselves in similar situations as teachers, may we treat all with kindness, and find value in the differences that our students bring. Most importantly may we find ways to make them feel included and valued. It is our responsibility to educate all who come our way, not just those who think and behave like us. As we find ways to make all our students feel valued, we will learn and grow and become the better for it too.