Kayla_CP_IE_#3

Date/Time: January 29th, 1:00 pm
Location: Ramin's Intercultural Exchange Class

During this class, we got into groups of three (two CIES students, one TEFL student) to discuss culture and education. We were all given worksheets to help guide the conversation. The first activity was to check boxes the applied to our first culture, first with what is acceptable/expected for/from teachers and then what is acceptable/expected for/from students (how they all interact in the classroom). My group included Shuo, from China, and Shahd, from Kuwait.

We compared our answers, and checked a lot of the same boxes. The only box that I didn't check, as well as for Shuo and Shahd, was that it's acceptable for teachers to meet with students after class anytime and anyplace. However, when the entire class compared/discussed answers, some people said that it was okay for teachers in different countries to carry-on conversations at bars over a beer. (I've never done that, but that's super cool!) Shuo and Shahd didn't check the box that said that it is acceptable for teachers to admit when they are unsure of the answer. Both CIES students explained that in their countries, teachers are "all-knowing," and that if they ask a question that the teacher doesn't know, that the topic is their homework for the night! Shuo didn't check the box that said it is expected that teachers organize students to work in groups because in China individual work is highly stressed upon. Group work is not a common teaching/learning method at all.

We compared and contrasted ideas about how students can generally act, but it varied among the three of us (too much information to type). I think this is because each student is different in every country, so it's hard to peg down what is specifically allowable or accepted from students.

However, the back of the worksheet was really fun, although we only got through three examples. For this activity, we were supposed to explain and demonstrate the appropriate behavior (verbal/nonverbal) in each situation listed on the backside of the worksheet. We demonstrated how to greet someone of the opposite gender (same age), someone younger than you, and someone older than you. The girls laughed at me when I explained that there are different situations for when I greet a guy my age. If it's a guy I don't know, I'm super shy and won't really say anything. If it's my friend, I run-hug-tackle him. Shuo and Shahd both explained that they were a little more reserved when greeting a guy that is their age, but if it is their girlfriend that they are a lot friendlier. Almost no physical contact when greeting a man their age.

Overall--fun, interactive class... but not enough time at all.