BUFS-Culture

two possible "bad" language-learning situations in regards to cultural perceptions

frustration that many international residents feel in their new environment

. Rich points allow the ethnographer to develop a "thick description"

"rich points." Rich points are those actions, comments, or traditions

language acquisition would be "language socialization

How do the instructors teach culture so that their adult students have more than a linguistic understanding of English? The subsequent question problematizes the first: How do the teachers decide what aspects of American culture should be taught and how do students react to these decisions?

teachers are left to incorporate culture as they see fit

that classes should include some cultural component, but their reasoning was somewhat different

highlight this age division among the teachers because it appears relevant in how culture is addressed in the classroom

helps them understand what Americans are talking about

I think an argument could be made that younger ESL teachers were educated in acclimate where diversity and sensitivity were more commonplace and this influences their teaching.

Oh, how wonderful that she encouraged you to go out on your own."

he's a work-a-holic and usually that is bad because he's boring and people don't like to be around someone like that

ass, appear reserved, rarely ask questions, and do not express opinions

not to

taken by teachers as signs of disinterest or lack of motivation

authority figures

Students don't want the teacher to get embarrassed when a teacher can't answer a student's question.

Although students easily conceive of a teacher as an authority figure who corrects their mistakes all the time, teachers should note that correcting mistakes frequently can also increase the level of anxiety and discourage students' participation in group work.

a whole class discussion is somewhat intimidating to students

Gender also plays an important role.  Age related tensions are less prominent among women.  In fact, younger women will be more comfortable being grouped with other older women than with other men

In the process of shifting the center from a teacher to students by encouraging discussion, students may perceive that a teacher is not knowledgeable enough to lead the class or feel that they cannot learn from peers