Diary of a ESOL teacher

  The video on cultural differences concerning time was very insightful. I personally did not know that the lack of responsibility in regards of time that so characterize Latin American people had a name, polychronic, and that their attitude towards time is the result of what they value the most, which obviously is not time or schedule, but their relationships. Knowing this, makes me think of how these differences affect the dynamics of a TESOL classroom when both teachers and students have different cultural beliefs regarding time. I feel that if the teacher is a monochronic person, who gives more importance to class schedules, length of time of activities and classroom policies but has students who are polychronic, meaning that they care more about feelings and relationships, it might be difficult for both the teacher and the students to connect at a deeper level. Not knowing these differences concerning time, can also make it harder for teachers to understand why a student act...

  What if everything you know happens to be the opposite in a different part of the world?  Paradigms affect the way we interpret things. What can be normal and natural for people from one culture, might be the opposite for people of a different culture. I was surprised at what Delali Bright shared about the definition of beauty in her hometown in Africa which honestly, is totally opposite to what beauty is for me, coming from a Latin American country. The way people think and perceive things is definitely shaped by the culture they were raised in and this can also affect their self-concept, self-confidence and even their learning process. While serving my mission in Canada, me and my companion were invited over for dinner at a Sri Lankan home, everything was going so well until we sat at the table and to my surprise there were not any utensils on the table because they eat with their hands. The first thing that came to my mind my mom: “Do not touch the food with your hand...

  While reading the article that poses the question if the Great American Teacher is Dead, I was reminded of all the teachers I have ever had and though I have had many good ones, there is one that stands out. She made a huge impact on how I viewed Chemistry. Her lessons were not boring at all, and it was Chemistry! She would always start with a story or an application experience or a question that we needed to ponder on while having the lesson and I loved it. I felt I was good at it and viewed it as an easy subject. Interestingly enough, I was transferred to a new school the following year and I still had to take Chemistry but somehow, I lost my interest in the subject, I felt I did not understand what was going on in the lessons, I kept failing my exams and I almost failed the course. I often wondered if the reason why I went from being a pretty confident Chemistry student to a lost and pessimist one was my new teacher. And now I think it was! I am sure he did not mean to and may...