Search Results for Why It S Important To Create Cultural Sensitivity In The Efl Classroom
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If we look at the world today, and if we observe it from a teacher's perspective, there has been an increasing trend for making classrooms more "culturally sensitive" around the world. Creating lesson plans that are rich with information about the diversity in a community where we teach is highly desirable and becoming more and more popular.This post was written by our ITTT graduate Stefana Z.Why Do We Need Cultural Sensitivity?Of course, there are no real guidelines or set programs for today's teachers on how to develop cultural awareness in the classroom and at the same time teach read...
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Teachers who are interested in fostering a cultural awareness in their classroom should actively demonstrate to their students that they genuinely care about their cultural, emotional, and intellectual needs. To this end, there are several strategies that you can use to build trusting relationships with diverse students. (Lynch, 2015)This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Nicholas R.Show an interest in the ethnic background of your studentsThe first strategy the above article outlined was showing interest in the ethnic background of the student you are teaching. One...
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Todays classroom is a global entity and unless appropriately addressed, issues of cultural diversity have the potential to severely diminish the success of even the most dedicated teachers and promising students. In order to promote an atmosphere that enables all students to be successful in learning English in the ESL (English as a Second Language) classroom, it is critical that each student feels safe, respected and appreciated. In todays diverse and multi-cultural climate, this sensitivity has never been more important.In many countries, the administration of schools and learning cent...
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There are several things that a teacher should consider before entering a classroom and one very important consideration, particularly for EFL teachers, is the topic of cultural sensitivity. Because English classes are often conducted with students from a variety of different cultures and often take place in a foreign country, teachers must ensure that their teaching does not offend cultural or social norms. For example, in a Western classroom it might be quite common to divide the class into mixed-sex pairs, however, in some cultures this could be seen as offensive. So how can teachers prepar...
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The local cultural environment undoubtedly plays a crucial role in a communitys education system. When specifically talking about developing countries, it is unavoidable to include Laos among those with a strong cultural background. Although Laos can be considered a fairly small country, it surprisingly contains more than 45 different ethnic groups, most of which boast their own traditions, culture, and language. This is a peculiar context that certainly needs to be taken into consideration when talking about education development. In a country like Laos, where old traditions and beliefs are...
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A multicultural world urgently needs a culturally sensitive educational system. In most countries around, schools are filled with students who come from different cultures. The variety of cultural backgrounds of students in schools is beneficial for the academic community as it contributes to their different experiences that provide all students with the opportunity to learn about different aspects of life.This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Dainaliz Feliberty H. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.Benefits of...
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If you want to be a TEFL teacher around the world, it is important to make sure you are as well prepared as you can possibly be before entering a classroom. It is equally important to have a good understanding of the country and culture you are hoping to make your home while you are teaching. Below we look at some important aspects of etiquette in different countries in Middle East.Listen to this blog post:The Middle East is an area with a reputation of modest conservatism and while this differs in degree from country to country, visitors are generally expected to behave in ways respectful...
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Brown (2001, p. 72) claims that One of the more complicated problems of second language learning and teaching has been to define and apply the construct of motivation in the classroom. Motivation is a significant determinant of success in learning a second or foreign language. It can be defined as a driving force that pushes someone to do something (Astuti, 2013, p. 14). Without motivation, it seems to be impossible to achieve success in foreign language learning. Motivation could be considered as the emotion that a person could have towards learning a foreign language, and it is det...
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In 2010, I was on a cultural fact-finding mission. While living as an ex-pat in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China, I decided I would like to teach English to Chinese students. I thought it would be a fun, constructive way to spend my extra time while my husband was working. So, I took the challenge! I call this a challenge because I had no prior ESL experience at the time. I soon found that understanding the Chinese culture was going to become a priority. Is sensitivity to the Chinese cultural norms significant in teaching ESL in China? A very important puzzle piece in successful teaching in China...
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From 2018 to 2019, I taught two eighth grade English classes in the rural Thies area, experiencing some of the challenges and advantages to teaching students who were just embarking on their language study. I was paired with a long-term Senegalese teacher who walked me through the basics of teaching a foreign language: engaging the class, developing study materials, and creating activities. What stood out to me was his emphasis on showing up as a role model for the students, as well as integrating other modes of learning into the classroom, such as art, singing, and dance activities.This pos...
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I am a South African who has worked in South Korea for more than eight years and one of the most important tools as an ESL teacher from a whole different nationality and culture has been the knowledge and awareness of cultural sensitivity in the classroom. When I meet a new ESL teacher and they ask me for advice this is usually the first thing I recommend: become an expert in the culture. It helps you meet the needs of your students and it creates a comfortable environment in which your students want to learn. In this essay we will look at what is culture, strategies for culture learning and h...
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Each of us have our preferred way of communicating and being communicated to. A teacher who is skilled in personality profiling can understand the preferred communication style of each individual learner and immediately adjust his or her communication approach. According to the Myers-Briggs Type indicators the following Personality profiles exist.This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Natasha M.Introverts and extrovertsMost people are either introverts or extroverts. Introverts generate their energy from being alone and extroverts from being with people, because extrove...
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Having spent more than 20 years as a marketing consultant, I decided to change career, to become an English language teacher. Hence, I took up the 120-hour TEFL course with ITTT, along with a specialised course in teaching young learners and another one in teaching business English. Even before I finished my TEFL course, I was offered a teaching job with a private school in Bangkok, Thailand. I have since been teaching kindergarten kids for about 8 months.This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Albert P.My Typical School DayTeaching kindergarten kids is definitely a lot ...
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When it comes to learning a new language, the way that we make it comfortable for us is to try and relate it to our language. How many times have you met someone from another country and you ask them how to use swear words or how to say something is cool in their native language. Since English is very commonly spoken all over the world, for students to learn idioms and slang is for them to not only learn how to say certain things but get a deeper cultural understanding. With that deeper understanding comes relativity to their own lives, which means they see the ways that we are more similar in...
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A dedicated and passionate teacher knows that before a lesson plan and a diagnostic test are made, he/she must produce a classroom management plan. And why is this so vital in the world of teaching?This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Jun-Mark S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.Listen to this blog post:Many Personalities in one ClassThe teachers classroom is full of vibrant personalities. These are individuals who have unique attitudes and behavior which are developed at their respective homes and enh...
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My personal opinion is that teachers should not punish students for bad behavior. That said, I also believe that if words or actions transpire in the classroom that is not allowed, or are inappropriate or disruptive, the teacher should address the situation to reduce the risk or likelihood of it happening again going forward - however, in a positive, constructive, solution-based way.This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Lindsay G. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.Forms of PunishmentPunishment can take m...
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At its core, teaching students online offers positive and negative consequences. Children are often at home when they take these classes. It means that they do not have to travel to a specific location to learn English. They can learn in an environment that is already comfortable for them, perhaps mitigating some of the anxieties they might feel. While its convenience is the main appeal for most people, it offers challenges that can detract from a students potential to learn and fully understand the English language. It is important that when a teacher decides to begin teaching online classe...
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In my experience as a learner and now a teacher it has become obvious that nonverbal actions play an essential role in the foreign language classroom. I believe that nonverbal communication between the teacher and their students is clearly a very useful tool for classroom management and for creating an effective classroom environment. The main aspects of nonverbal communication I have witnessed as a learner and now use myself as an EFL teacher include: eye contact, gestures and mime, facial expressions and voice projection.This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Paolo C. Ple...
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After the completion of the online TEFL and TESOL, the summative task comes to support our score in one of the topics that the candidate has chosen among 149 topics. As a new teacher, we are more interested in the students reactions to our course to create a good and happy learning atmosphere as well as the good establishment of the relationship between the teacher and students. This approach also raises some important questions that one has to try to answer for a better understanding of teaching new languages to students.This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Matty A. Pl...
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Today studying English is one of the most important and prospective goals of the modern world. The age of students has changed and parents are trying to start their children learning a foreign language as early as possible. Preschool-aged children are the most favorable for this activity.This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Olga O. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.Early education develops the psychological function of the child, meets their intellectual needs, creates a great opportunity to generate interest...
