6 / 13 / 19 Week 8: Deep Culture in the Elementary Classroom

Actually many people tend to misinterpret and misunderstand the true concept of culture. We have created stereotypes which want to design new cultural concepts. In Peru we have the stereotype that men must have higher salaries than women. Another stereotype in this case in schools is that the students considered "most popular" are those who do not obey the rules and have low school performance.

Now in an EFL classroom where there are many students of different nationalities, it is very important that teachers know about these cultural differences. In a classroom there must be harmony and respect from the beginning of class until the end.

For the foregoing, as an EFL teacher, I have an absolute commitment to be able to learn from the cultural differences that may exist among my students. Obviously, this would have to be developed in class and it would help my students to always respect and appreciate that cultural difference which makes us very special and unique.

6 / 6 / 19 Week 07: Culture and Psychology

In Peru there are many cultural elements that women can lower their self-esteem. The belief that women should be very thin to be considered beautiful. In the central part of Peru, women tend to be thick, short in stature and with dark skin and when they come to the coastal area of Peru they are seen as strange beings and consider them ugly, my father is from the mountains and my mother is of the coast then characteristic of both sides and many times have made me feel different to the stereotype considered beauty. I remember that a friend used to deny her parents because both of them were from the sierra because of shame to be called "serrana", which in my country is considered an insult.

In schools little is done to change that situation and on the contrary more consideration is shown to those who are white or have money. Here people like to pretend something that they are not really, for example if they see that the neighbor builds a two-story house, so they do not feel they do not have enough money the other builds it three stories and so many times they get into debt and end up losing many things just for pretending giving luxuries that do not apply.

Obviously, this cultural home influences our TESOL class because if students who do not learn to respect others can end up making others feel bad. That is why I believe that teachers have a great responsibility to teach our students to tolerate and respect each other. There is nothing more important than studying in an appropriate environment and in harmony with everyone.

6 / 5 /19 Week 7: Differences in Manners

In the Peruvian society in which I live there are many manners that are considered discourtesy or bad education. For example here is usually greeted by giving a kiss on the cheek and when one rejects it they consider it discourteous, entering somewhere should always be greeted, urinating on the street is very rude, etc. But over time all this has been lost so much so that young people grow up with fewer limits of proper behavior and it is because of the lack of education in values ​​at home.

In our family nights, my husband and I usually talk with our daughters about correct ways of behaving and respecting others. When I was teaching in a relatively expensive private school, I was surprised by the lack of values ​​and respect on the part of the students. They did not listen to you, they questioned all the time about homework and exams, heterosexual and homosexual couples showed up with total freedom in the schoolyard without any respect for the youngest children in the school.

I believe that we must always respect the rules of coexistence in each place and as teachers and parents we must learn to respect and act according to the society where we are. Something that should never change is to be true disciples of Jesus Christ, and there is no better way to teach than with our own example.

06 / 05 / 19 Week 07: Cross-Cultural Students in the Classroom

It is very real that we currently live in a very diverse society and our classrooms are not the exception. However, teachers have the great challenge of making this diversity enriching and an objective in our schools. That is why we ourselves and the students keep an open mind and desire to know those with whom we live.

Brother Ivers has given examples and clear descriptions about cultural diversity. I remember that when I was studying at school I had a Japanese classmate, and I was surprised and did not understand why she was so respectful and did not use to express herself. Many children used to make fun and were not nice to her. Our teacher never did anything to improve the environment in the classroom. Now I understand that if a teacher is not sufficiently prepared he will not know how to act.

At TESOL, I know that it is very important to understand and respect our students with their cultural diversity. I think if I had students from different cultures, I would teach others about the importance of respecting and tolerating our neighbor. I would show you the beauties of those countries and how valuable they are. And obviously I would ask the help of the parents so that at home they also encourage respect and love towards others.