; Lesson 08: Response to "Deep Culture in the Elementary Classroom"

What I have learned in the last lessons led me to the conclusion that cultural diversity is a reality we are facing whether we want it or not. Trying to keep it away, to avoid some people or events does not help. People travel, world is changing. At macro level, cultural diversity brings wars and disputes sometimes. At micro level, lack of knowledge on this topic may trigger unpleasant situations and reactions. The sooner children, adults, or old people learn about it the better.

Teachers have the opportunity to develop a cross-cultural consciousness in their students. Given that we work in a school and there is a program we follow, among the first things I would teach, it would be about the cultural differences concerning time. About monochronic time and polychronic time. It is important for two cultures to understand how the other part perceives and manages time.

Monochronic cultures, U.S.A. and Western Europe for example, are oriented to tasks, schedules, and procedures, not to logic and human needs. In polychronic world, Asian, Arab countries, they are not ruled by schedule, they are ruled by relationships, family is important.

Right now, I do not know if sharing the formula (A. Event or circumstanceB. Beliefs (or culture) C. Reaction) based on that suggested by Albert Ellis would be a good idea. Maybe my readers, with more experience in teaching or not, have some suggestions for me! Is it needed for students to have a certain age? The article “Deep Culture in Elementary Classroom” tells us about this formula: “… we believe is quite pertinent to the teaching of deeper culture as well.” Is it advisable to share it or to just use relevant examples?

I think that teaching about manners in different cultures could mean for most of students learning and having fun at the same time. Of course, avoiding offending examples is the rule.

I am still puzzled about the information I read about Japanese people. They are not comfortable with physical contact. It is not a good thing to initiate handshake when you want to start a friendship with an Asian person. In Japan, the bow is the customary greeting. But the white-gloves pushers are well known in the world. How not being comfortable with physical contact gets along with being pushed in that way.

The conclusion is I went a long way on the path of learning about development of cross-cultural consciousness, but I am only at the beginning.