Cultural Differences

Students whose cultures differ from your own or the area in which you teach may exhibit conduct that comes across as misbehavior, but may be the norm in their culture of origin. For example, sharing answers in Russia and Eastern Europe is acceptable because “the good of the many is more important than the individual.” Being aware of cultural differences can help you form culturally respectful responses to questionable student behavior in the classroom. According to Bartzis and Hayner (2009), the following cultural norms may underlie some students’ behaviors. Cultures around the world Russia and Eastern Europe

Sharing notes and talking in class are okay and not hidden.

Classroom goals are to bring the whole class level up.

Germany

Sharing answers is common.

Not sharing is considered a social taboo.

Mexico

Sharing is common, but students deny it.

Professors do not expect citations in paper.

Costa Rica

Teamwork is the rule in personal and academic life, including supporting those who do not contribute to the group.

China

Intellectual property is a foreign concept.

Saving face and maintaining group harmony are society values.

Burma

Student learning is seen as a task shared by the group.

Selfishness and pursuing personal goals at the expense of others is unacceptable.

India and Bangladesh

Students have rioted when cheating on tests is prevented.

Exams should not be memory tests.

Greece

Focus is on learning concepts rather than words.

Connecting quotes demonstrates understanding.