Characteristics to Consider

• Culture is not only ethnic. Culture is attached to any group or community that can be considered in and of itself. Consider an online community's culture. Consider the culture of teenagers, or of Language Professionals in Canada. What norms do they each assume?

• Definitions of what we often think of as simple ideas differ from culture to culture. Effective Listening, Pausing, Intonation, Classroom Etiquette, Formal Tone; Speech Volume; and a countless list of other concepts may all mean different things to different cultures.

• When cultural differences increase, the potential for miscommunication increases. Learners may often 'shut down' if the gap is too wide.

Strategies to Try

• Connecting to people as an individual is important. Let them talk about their home, their personal life, their own interests and struggles, to the extent they feel comfortable.

• Pay attention to Listening strategies and the Metacognitive strategies as a priority when cultural differences are perceived to be high.

• Be explicit about cultural differences and learning strategies.

• Listen to audio of a language you minimally or do not understand. Pay attention to things like intonation, speed, pausing, and your own patience for listening.

• Read up on the cultures of your students! Learn a lot and Teach by Example.