• Avoid being judgmental 4
    Try not to jump to conclusions about what your learner's actions represent.
  • Learn about your learner's culture. CULTURGRAMS: The Nations Around Us 5 gives a brief description of the following subjects: climate, history, language, religion, attitudes, customs, lifestyle and society.
    • Benefits: It gives general information in a quick, easy to read format and serves as a starting point from which to get to know your learner. A section on "gestures" will help you to avoid making any lewd or offensive gestures. While the learner may know that the meaning in Canada is different, it could still result in discomfort.
    • Limitations: The set currently available was published in 1996 and certain aspects of it may be outdated, but it gives you a lot of information. Because the cultural information is brief, it may be considered "stereotypical" by your learner. Rather than assume that the information is correct and complete, use it as a starting point to ask questions and learn more about the culture.

B: Culture Shock

People who have moved from one country to another (or from one region to another) may have a lot of difficulty. Not only are they learning a new language, but they are also learning a very different way of life. Some people may go through phases where they feel frustrated and humiliated. Some of the issues could include:

  • Loss in status
    Respected people with positions of power in their former communities may feel they are now labeled as "immigrants."
  • Loss of established support systems
    Times of difficulty (i.e. illness or financial difficulties) may be even more problematic when there are no family members or close friends to call upon for support.
    Feelings of isolation may result when a parent is required to stay home and take care of the children. Without a job (or the opportunity to take language classes), an individual with limited language skills may feel like a prisoner at home.

4 Suzanne Abrams et al., Teaching Adults: An ESL Resource Book (Syracuse, New York: New Readers Press, 1996.) Used by permission.
5 Grant Skabelund., ed. CULTURGRAMS: The Nations Around Us. (Chicago: Bringham Young University, 1999.)