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Cultural sensitivity in the classroomWhat is it that makes me different from another person – it is my looks, personality, up-bringing, interests, talents and so much more! What is it, then, that makes one culture different from another – it is their background, heritage, religious leanings, values, traditions and so much more too. Since each person is unique, and we do not expect any two people to be the same, we should take the same attitude to culture. Each culture has its own unique set of values, idiosyncrasies and beliefs that mold them to become who they are in the patchwork quilt of the world we live in. When bringing together a group of people in the EFL classroom, either from the same culture or from different cultures, it is very important to be sensitive to the differences in culture, to accommodate one another and to avoid causing offence. I have seen this to be particularly true in India, where there are acceptable norms of behaviour, dress code, attitude and communication. A teacher in an indian EFL class needs to be aware of the cultural expectations and norms of the group so that he/she does not overstep the boundaries and cause offence. Western teachers should endeavour to identify which cultural factors to be aware of. Wearing of kurtas and other indian garb is a requirement for women teachers. There are certain unspoken taboos that should be avoided – topics that would cause offence, such as those related to religion or personal matters. In most cases, women are not comfortable with any form of physical contact with men and so games requiring interaction that is too close or intimate would be offensive in the indian culture. There are also many subtle nuances, such as the way ‘no’ is said. It is very rude to say it outright in India, rather it should be indicated subtly communicated through non-verbal means, such as gestures and other techniques. Not being aware of these idiosyncrasies and cultural shades in the indian culture would have the potential to cause offence and misunderstandings galore! Edward Guertin (2007) says that, “To effectively communicate in any classroom, the students must feel both at ease with, and a sense of respect for, their teacher. To achieve this, the teacher must be aware of the norms, customs and beliefs which have nurtured the minds and personalities of those he or she intends to educate.” Teachers in the EFL classroom need to constantly grapple with these issues and strive to make lessons topics appropriate to the culture of the people. Doing so will make the lessons relevant, interesting and fun for the learners. The classroom situation should be comfortable for the learners and should closely resemble how learning would naturally take place in the home environment. Being sensitive to the culture of the people is a major part of achieving that. This does not mean that learners should not step out of themselves, expand and stretch as people. It does not mean that the teacher needs to be over-sensitive either. The EFL teacher needs to find the balance between who and where the learners are, and where and what they need to be. They need to grow, improve, learn and try new things. All of this should be part of the classroom dynamics in the context of being sensitive to the cultural norms and accepted practices of a community. According to Your Dictionary.com, EFL teachers should be careful not to generate a situation where the culture of the classroom becomes centered around english culture, and yet manages to develop the english skills of the students at the same time. This will require careful planning on the part of the teacher, and inclusion of authentic and created materials that relate the lesson to the background and experience of the students, making it relevant and applicable to their daily situations. In conclusion, the teacher of an EFL class should be sensitive to the cultural norms, values, accepted behaviour and communication devices of the country or group being taught. This should be reflected in the attitudes, topics, materials, and approach to teaching the class. If this is taken into account and adjustments made by teachers, then the environment will be welcoming and conducive to lasting learning. Sources Cited: http://www.yourdictionary.com/esl/ESL_Classroom-and-Cultural_Sensitivity.html Guartin, Edward. 2007: http://www.teflcorp.com/articles/62-tefl-cultural-sensitivity-in-the-classroom/204-cultural-sensitivity-in-the-classroom.htm