Approaching the Multicultural Classroom
Cross-cultural Communication Skills for Teachers
May 1, 2009
Teachers need more than superficial images about a few easily differentiated groups because most cultural differences are not visible to the casual eye but must be assessed by careful observation over a period of time. Cultural cues and communication strategies vary in a huge number of subtle and even conflicting ways, and a skilled cross cultural communicator is always alert for new variations not previously encountered.
Teachers can begin train themselves in cross cultural communication by practicing a few simple strategies. The most important is to cultivate awareness of ones own cultural values, norms and reflexes. Each of the world’s cultures has evolved within its own environment to serve its people in their interactions with each other and with outsiders. No one culture is superior in values or utility, nonetheless, culture shapes outlook in a variety of subtle ways.
Non-Verbal Communication
Each culture has its own set of non-verbal cues for interpersonal interactions. One person cannot possibly memorize them all, or know how they should be applied in each different incident. Rather, the trick used by competent cross-cultural communicators is to practice thier own awareness of all non-verbal cues. Easier said than done! Non-verbal communication includes a huge variety of largely unconscious patterns, such as facial expressions and other body language, volume of speaking, touch and physical proximity, eye contact, and silence. All of these vary according to culture, and everyone has learned to use these patterns in one, automatic, culturally approved way. The non-verbal communication of people from other cultures is either received and interpreted within one's own cultural framework, or, frequently, not received at all.
Awareness, first of one's own communication and then of the patterns being used by students and their parents, is the main tool a teacher can use to find ways to include and reach culturally different pupils. Students whose culture or cultural experience is different from that of the teacher take more time to be understood and to clearly receive the teacher’s messages. This extra effort will pay off not only for the student in question, but for the whole class, who will benefit from learning by example that there are many ways to communicate and to learn, thus broadening the available communication resources for everyone.
Different Approaches to Education
The teacher knows. Students learn better through competition. Knowledge is easily measured. There is one right way to solve each problem. Telling the truth is more important than saving the relationship.
Each culture has a variety of largely unstated assumptions and beliefs about the educational process and about what is supposed to happen in a classroom. Teachers who cultivate awareness about their own underlying assumptions are better able to communicate about them with students and parents whose cultural values and assumptions are different.
In many countries, children are ranked in order of high test scores and everyone always knows who the top student in each class is. Students and parents used to this custom may be shocked if a teacher refuses to publish the scores and rank of each student. Responding to a question of this nature with the answer that it is wrong to encourage competition among students of differing abilities will not satisfy the concerns of parents who expect their children to be pushed to work harder and compare themselves with their peers.
How to be a Skilled Cross Cultural Communicator
Skilled cross cultural communicators recognize that their own values are not the only possible ones, and the questions and concerns of students and parents from different cultures need to be responded to out of respect for difference, acknowledging the other culture’s values and explaining, not insisting on, one's own.
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