Cultural respect for ESL teachers

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Download our mobile app to listen on the go

Get App

Questions and Answers

Match the country with the culturally sensitive topic or behavior to avoid:

China = Waving someone over with your finger France = Discussions of jobs and financial success Germany = Being even a few minutes late India = Discussing the marriage tradition of dowries

Match the country with the appropriate classroom etiquette to observe:

Italy = Shaking everyone's hand when first introduced to a group Japan = Avoiding physical contact with students Korea = Providing criticism in private Mexico = Placing payment money directly into a person's hand

Match the country with the gesture or action that is considered rude:

Taiwan = Extending hands to women in greeting (for Western men) Thailand = Pointing your foot at someone Mexico = Men keeping their hands in their pockets India = Standing with your hands on your hips

Match the country with the topic that is best avoided in conversation:

France = Immigration India = The relationship of India with Pakistan Korea = Politics Thailand = Criticizing the monarchy Signup and view all the answers

Match the country with the note provided for traveling teachers:

China = The student/teacher relationship is generally formal in nature. France = Maintaining eye contact is not customary between strangers. Germany = It is considered bad luck to wish a German person a Happy Birthday before the actual date. Japan = Be careful not to mix up the history or culture of Asian countries or assume that things are the same in all of them. Signup and view all the answers

Match the potential faux pas with the country in which it should be avoided:

Germany = Chewing gum in public Italy = Placing your hand on your stomach Korea = Pointing or beckoning someone with your finger Thailand = Patting students on the head Signup and view all the answers

Match the country with the action that would cause embarrassment in the classroom:

Japan = Saying or doing something that would cause a single student to feel embarrassed. Taiwan = Purposely embarrass your students France = Foreigners introducing the topic of the European Union India = Discussing poverty Signup and view all the answers

Match the country with the statement regarding public affection:

India = Showing affection in public is considered taboo. Mexico = Young people find it taboo to live alone or with a girlfriend/boyfriend before getting married. Taiwan = Taiwanese people appreciate plenty of personal space. Italy = It is quite normal for Italians to stand close to one another. Signup and view all the answers

Match the cultural practice with the country where it is relevant:

China = It is customary not to open gifts in front of the giver. Japan = The American sign for OK means money Mexico = Mexican people often make the sound "pst pst" to get someone's attention. Korea = Many people wear surgical masks in public if they have a cold to avoid spreading germs. Signup and view all the answers

Match the consideration regarding eye contact with the proper country:

China = Students may not maintain steady eye contact with you when you are talking to them. France = Refusing eye contact suggests that you think you are of a higher status than the other person Thailand = It is considered rude to look directly at someone for more than a few seconds. Taiwan = It is common for Taiwanese people to expect each other to read between the lines. Signup and view all the answers

Match the potential for cultural misunderstandings with the correct country:

India = Never touch people with your shoes or feet, and apologize immediately if it happens accidentally. Mexico = Don't make comparisons between Mexico and the U.S. Thailand = Don't discuss or criticize the monarchy. Korea = Avoid discussing the relationship between North and South Korea. Signup and view all the answers

Match the specific advice for teachers with the correct country:

China = Be careful not to mix up the history or culture of Asian countries or assume that things are the same in all of them. France = Students will cover their mouth with their hands to gesture that they have made a mistake. Germany = If you are dining out with others, it is considered rude to start your meal before everyone has received theirs. Italy = You may also get bumped or pushed in line-ups or public places. Signup and view all the answers

Match the rule of punctuality for ESL teachers with its corresponding country:

China = Make sure to begin and end your classes on time, even if there are students looking for help with homework. Germany = It is considered very rude to be even a few minutes late. Taiwan = Taiwanese people appreciate plenty of personal space. Japan = Be discreet about blowing your nose in the classroom. Signup and view all the answers

Match general cultural observations with its corresponding country:

China = Chinese students often repress their emotions because this is part of their culture. Taiwan = It is common for Taiwanese people to expect each other to read between the lines. Mexico = Mexican people tend to stand very close to one another when engaged in a conversation. Korea = If you are very animated when you talk, you may want to try to tone your hand movements down. Signup and view all the answers

Match actions to avoid with the relevant country:

China = Avoid putting your hand near your mouth or biting your fingernails. France = The American sign for OK means "nothing". Germany = Avoid discussing how much money people earn. Japan = Avoid discussing World War II. Signup and view all the answers

Connect the piece of advice with the country it belongs to:

India = For any teachers who may be travelling or teaching with their romantic partners, be aware that showing affection in public is considered taboo in India. Japan = Teachers should not touch their students (e.g. hand on shoulder, high five). Thailand = Teachers are expected to dress conservatively. This usually involves wearing a necktie. Mexico = It is considered very rude to take the Lord's name in vain in Mexico. Signup and view all the answers

Match behaviors that could be misunderstood with the Country the may be misconstrued in:

Japan = Japanese people are more likely to feel ashamed and insulted rather than innocently embarrassed. Italy = In Italy, placing your hand on your stomach (which is a sign of hunger in many countries) means that you dislike someone. Taiwan = Western men should not extend their hands to Taiwanese women in a greeting. A nod of the head is appropriate. Korea = If you are very animated when you talk, you may want to try to tone your hand movements down. Signup and view all the answers

Match the cultural behavior to the country with whom it is associated:

China = Punctuality is important in China. Italy = It is quite normal for Italians to stand close to one another. Mexico = Place the money for payment directly into a person's hand rather than on the counter. Korea = Be discreet about blowing your nose. Signup and view all the answers

Match the piece of critical advice with it's proper country:

Thailand = Don't point your foot at someone (especially their head!). Mexico = It is helpful to be aware of the taboo in Mexico for young people to live alone or with a girlfriend/boyfriend before getting married. Korea = Be careful not to mix up the history or culture of Asian countries or assume that things are the same in all of them. Japan = Take steps not to say or do something that would cause a single student to feel embarrassed. Signup and view all the answers

Match the concept of personal space with it's associated country:

Taiwan = Taiwanese people appreciate plenty of personal space. Thailand = If teaching children, don't crouch down beside them with your head lower than theirs. Mexico = Mexican people tend to stand very close to one another when engaged in a conversation. India = It is rude to point directly at someone Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

ESL Teacher Balance

Respectful and balanced approach to teaching ESL, considering cultural differences.

Avoidable Topics

Topics like religion, politics, sexuality, poverty, and historical conflicts.

Avoidable Actions

Swearing, touching students, eating in class, embarassing students, pointing, prolonged eye contact, invading personal space.

China: Cultural Tips

In China, students may avoid steady eye contact, punctuality is important, avoid certain hand gestures, and gift-giving etiquette exists.