LinguaFolio® Training Resources
Training modules to show how to implement LinguaFolio®
5.6 Activity 1: Cultural Differences in our Schools
Let’s think about the cultural differences that may exist in American classrooms. Reflect on the following three questions and see if you can discover the cultural reasons for these behaviors.
1. Why do Native American students avoid working with flour in art class?
2. Why do Asian students avoid direct eye contact with the teacher?
3. Why do Hispanics have two last names?
Group: If you are completing this training with other people, work with a partner and see if you can discover the cultural reasons for these behaviors. Compare your reasons with the answers listed below and continue reading about pitfalls to avoid.
Individual: If you are training alone, reflect on the following three questions and see if you can discover the cultural reasons for these behaviors. Compare your reasons with the answers listed below and continue reading about pitfalls to avoid.
Answers
1. Why do Native American students avoid working with flour in art class?
It is offensive to them to play with food.
2. Why do Asian students avoid direct eye contact with the teacher?
Averting one’s gaze is a form of respect.
3. Why do Hispanics have two last names?
Omitting one of the names excludes one of the child’s parents.
Pitfalls
What types of pitfalls should teachers be careful to avoid?
One cannot assume that all speakers of a language are the same. Nor is the language exactly the same. Speakers of English differ in their accents, vocabulary, and customs depending on where they live in the United States, or whether they live in the United States, England, Australia, or another English-speaking country. Speakers of other languages differ as well according to the origin of their native language and the environment in which they live.
Teachers must model acceptance of all speakers of a language, regardless of their origin. It is necessary to avoid stereotyping or creating a hierarchy among countries that speak the same language. Teachers should help students avoid forming biases towards other languages or cultures.