Sometimes, learners will need additional support. Depression may be an issue and learners may have difficulty moving from stage 2 of culture shock (hostility) to stage 3 (humour). If you are concerned, please refer your learner to a professional organization for additional support.

C: Other Issues Related to Culture

In the next section, we will explore some issues that may surface while you are tutoring. Because each learner and tutor are different, it is hard to make any "rules" regarding how to best address each situation. The following examples are intended to bring to light some of these issues and to brainstorm healthy ways to resolve them.

Issues

You and the learner are experiencing some discomfort due to cultural differences.

While the learner may understand (on an intellectual level) some of the differences between Canada and her home country, it may be very difficult for the learner to feel comfortable with these differences. For example, a learner may be aware that she can call you by your first name but may feel more comfortable if she can call you "Mr" or "Mrs" to show respect. In turn, this may seem awkward for you, especially if you are only a couple years older than your learner.

Keep in mind that when teaching language, we teach not only the words, form and pronunciation, we teach culture. Culture includes not just holidays, dress, food and all the visible aspects of a nation but the way in which people see and evaluate the world. This also includes how people value and treat each other.

In a situation where you may feel uncomfortable, you may want to explain, for example, the reason why people in Canada often refer to each other by their first names. (Calling each other by our given names is not disrespectful, it is a sign of friendliness.) In situations like this, it is probably more important to ensure that the learner is comfortable. While it may be awkward for you, consider how many things the learner must deal with on a daily basis which are new and perhaps a little odd for her.

Ultimately, there are certain aspects of our culture your learner may not want to adopt, even if it is the conventional way people in Canada behave. We must respect our learner's values and beliefs.