UoL Mentoring training, by Elizabeth Cornish

1. Cultural Awareness

2. Why is it important?
Culture influences many parts of peoples lives including:
Food, dress, opinions, identity, music, buildings, mann
ers, social interaction, language.
We need to understand each others cultural
backgrounds to make sense of different view points and
opinions.
Cultural Awareness is important in creating cross cultural
understanding and acceptance.
Cultural awareness can give us a better
understanding of our own culture and how it is
perceived by outsiders.

3. Cultural Differences
Language Barriers Culture Shock

4. What is Culture?
Culture: the customary beliefs, social
forms, and material traits of a
racial, religious, or social group; also : the
characteristic features of everyday existence
(as diversions or a way of life) shared by
people in a place or time.

5. Where can you find culture?
Everywhere!

6. Culture makes up a large
part of our day to day life.
Cultural differences include
differences in
food, clothes, religion and
language.
American Iced Tea
For example, think about
the different ways different
cultures take tea. English Tea
Chinese Tea Small differences, like the
way each culture drinks
tea can be difficult to get
used to at first because
these things are so
important to day to day
living.

7. However, the small things things are
just the tip of the iceberg-they are
only the things we can see on the
surface. Parts of culture we can see
There are many parts of culture that
aren’t visible; like most of an iceberg.
These include:
•Work Ethic
•Importance of Time
•Religious Beliefs
•Values
•Nature of Friendships
Because these differences aren’t
visible they are very difficult to
communicate and understand.
Parts of culture we cannot see
Despite this, the parts of culture we
cannot see are very important
because they underpin the parts of
culture we can see.

8. Examples of Cultural Differences
In Mediterranean European
countries, Latin America
and Sub Saharan Africa, it is
In England the thumb
normal, or at least widely
and forefinger
tolerated, to arrive half an
together to form an ‘O’
hour late for a dinner
means Ok, whereas in
invitation, whereas in most
France it means
northern European
‘nothing’ or ‘without
countries this would be
any value’.
considered extremely rude.
In most countries
Laughing is considered
shaking the head from
a sign of happiness in
side to side means ‘No’
most countries, but in
whereas in
Japan it is considered a
India, shaking the head
sign of
from side to side
confusion, embarrassm
means ‘Yes’.
ent or insecurity.

9. How can you be culturally aware?
1. Engage with other students’ cultures by
asking questions.
2. Be Open! Don’t get into the habit of
thinking your way is the only way of
doing something-how is it done in
another country?
3. Think about what you can learn from
other students, and what you can teach
them.
4. Invite students to share their culture with
you.

10. Attitudes and Expectations
Students will have a lot of questions before and after
they arrive. Start to think about some of the answers
to these questions and how you could answer them.
What will my lectures and Will my English be good enough?
seminars be like?
What will people look like?
What will the weather
How do I open like?
be a bank How much will it all cost?
account?
What will my accommodation
be like?
What will I do if I get ill?
Will the How will I get to the University from
people be the airport?
friendly?

11. Language Barriers
It is most likely that English will be a second language
for the majority of international students. Some will
have excellent English, while others will still be
learning. Therefore it is important to be aware of
how to communicate effectively.
An example of language barriers: Students in an
English lesson were discussing a picture that had the
‘London Eye’ in it. One student proceded to write
down the name of the London Eye in their book.
However instead of writing ‘eye’ the student wrote
‘air’.
How might this misunderstanding lead to future
miscommunication?

12. You would use simple words
Thinkknew. You mostyou could
they about the way probably
explainneed a computerto this
won’t how to simplify works
to a two year old. How but this
level with your buddy, would
you simplify way of illustrating
is a helpful your language to
help them understand?
the language barrier.
Simplifying your language is not easy. It takes time and practice. You
may even feel a little silly.
However, simplifying your language when appropriate will help your
buddy understand, which will in turn increase their confidence speaking
English.

13. How can you simplify language?
Refrain from using long words
Speak slowly and as clearly as possible
Stress important words
Don’t be afraid to repeat yourself
If a student keeps making the same mistake correct
them. They want to improve their English and they
won’t mind being corrected now and again.

14. Other ways of communicating
Non verbal communication is just as, if not
more important than verbal communication.
Think about your body
language, posture, eye contact, facial
expressions, gestures and tone of voice when
talking.
If you are really struggling to communicate
with your students try some of the following:
•Write it down
•Use your hands to reinforce what you are
saying
•Use your facial expressions to reinforce what
you are saying
•Try using different words or rephrase your
sentences

15. What is Culture Shock?
Culture shock is a condition of disorientation
affecting someone who is suddenly exposed to an
unfamiliar culture or way of life or set of attitudes.
International students are particularly
vulnerable, compared to home students because
they are more isolated and lack their immediate
support system.

16. Culture shock is like going from this…

17. … to this!

18. What Causes Culture Shock?
Cultural Differences!
Climate
Rules of Behaviour
Values Dress
Language
Food
Social Roles

19. The Honeymoon Stage:
The individual is very positive about
the culture, is overwhelmed with
impressions, finds the culture exotic
and is fascinated by it. The individual
The Independence Stage: is largely passive and doesn't confront
The individual enjoys being in the culture.
the culture functions easily in The Disintegration Stage:
the culture prefers certain The individual begins to
culture behaviour to that of interact with the culture, finds
his/her own culture, adopts the behaviour of the people
certain behaviours as their unusual and
own. unpredictable, begins to dislike
Stages of Culture the culture/reacts to the
behaviour, feels anxiety begins
Shock to withdraw begins to criticize
the culture/people. The
The Autonomy Stage: individual begins to feel lonely
The individual begins to without the support of friends
understand more of the and family.
behaviours of the people, feels
more comfortable living The Re-integration Stage:
in/encountering the culture The individual begins to reject the
feels less isolated regains his/her differences they are encountering.
sense of humour. They are angry/might not like the new
environment they are in but are getting
more used to the change.

20. A graph to
show the
stages of
culture shock

21. What are the Symptoms of Culture
Shock?
Lethargy Boredom
Withdrawal
Hostility Homesickness
toward local
people
Excessive Irritability
Sleeping Irrational Anger

22. What should you do if someone is
suffering from culture shock?
Encourage
them to get Be there to
more support and
involved in reassure
University them. If they are suffering
life. very badly and you
do not feel in a
Invite them to position to
activities with help, direct them to
you and get the Student Welfare
them to speak Service or tell the
about how they Coordinator.
feel.