Stage 3: Debrief Participants

Draw a parallel between the trainees' reactions and the possible reactions of their learners.

Questions to consider:

  • How would trainees describe the other group?
  • How did the trainees feel when they tried to interact with the other group?
  • What were their thoughts?
  • Were they discouraged, perplexed, embarrassed, intimidated etc.?
  • Did they find themselves congregating in their own groups even in the other culture ’s territory?
  • Did they have trouble communicating?
  • What caused the problems?
  • Where did the breakdown in communication occur?
  • Compare the secure feeling experienced within their own culture to the feelings they experienced when they had to leave or were "intruded" upon by "outsiders."

Stage 4: Applying the Knowledge

Ask trainees to discuss how this exercise will affect the way in which they tutor.

Possible answers:

  • What we interpret about another culture is a projection of our own culture and ourselves.
  • Confusion can result from incorrect information or assumptions about another culture.
  • The inability to understand can lead to frustration and the need to "withdraw" into one's own culture.