CULTURAL DIFFERENCES
AND LEARNING STYLES

How can cultural differences affect the education of Aboriginal students who are attending non-Aboriginal schools? Below is a list of some differences in values or attitudes that may lead to difficulties or misunderstandings and could result in less than optimal learning environments (These value differences reflect tendencies and there may be many exceptions in both cases).

School Culture

Aboriginal Cultural View

In large school setting there is a tendency to treat students impersonally.

Impersonality of school, especially at secondary level is often interpreted as dislike, since it violates the value placed on respect for the individual.

Interpersonal Distance - Non-Native students may perceive Native students' interpersonal distance as hostility and may not respond in a friendly way.

Interpersonal style is respect for autonomy and independence of others. Individual differences are best respected by maintaining a high degree of interpersonal distance, particularly with strangers.

There is more of a tendency to offer advice without being invited to do so.

Native students may feel insulted by non-Native response.

Task Achievement - Task achievement is frequently considered more important than developing close, harmonious personal relations.
Traditional schools tended to value competition over co-operation.

Social harmony is preferred over task achievement.

Social Distance - Emphasis is placed on maintaining considerable physical distance between teachers and students as socially correct.

Native students feel more comfortable with close distance in interactions with teachers and others who are liked and greater distance with people who are not liked.

Teaching-Learning - Teaching by lecture in restricted setting.

May learn best by concrete demonstration by elders and experts.

Schedules - Routines are usually rigid and time factors strictly adhered to.

Routine is flexible and self-determined