ESL Whiteboard

  Culture and Psychology It is so mesmerizing to learn how culture affects the psychology of a individual and even a group of people. We have learned how culture influences the way we behave and act but now we are going to dig a little deeper. We are discussing how it affects the way we think and feel. As I mentioned in my other post, I had the opportunity to meet a group of women from Afghanistan. I am not very familiar with this culture, so I was paying close attention to how the acted and to be mindful of my gestures and movements so that I was not disrespectful to them.  I got the opportunity to drive a mother and daughter to and from a n ESL class and when I dropped them off, they invited me into their home. I wasn't sure what to do so I politely declined their invitation because I had just met them, and I was tired and wanted to go home but they insisted so I assumed that if I declined again it might be offensive of my part to decline their kind gesture.  It...

      DIFFERENCE IN MANNERS This topic is an extension of those cultural differences. We behave in different ways depending on where we are and who we are with. Manners are polite and courteous way we act with others around us. What may be polite in USA it may be rude or disrespectful in other countries. In a multiculturalism classroom, these differences can create misunderstandings. I recently volunteered in a ESL for an organization called UNDANTED WOMEN. This class was created to help those immigrant women that are here as refugees. Most of the women are from Afghanistan, and it was so peculiar to see their public behavior. One of the volunteers was a man and he felt out of place and saw them feeling uncomfortable so he decided to leave so the women would feel more comfortable. He said it was strange to greet them and they wouldn't either talk to him or look at him. He understood but I wonder if it still made him feel uncomfortable to know the made them feel u...