Cultural Awareness Warwick in Africa

Tell them you are coming to learn You need to remember the sensitivities of the teachers. You could be perceived as a threat due to the fact that you are significantly younger and from a foreign country. They may try to make you obsolete. They may view you as a 6 week holiday. Stress the fact that you are coming to learn and that you need their help in this process.

Be aware of the culture and history Do your homework and read up on the local culture. This knowledge will go a long way and will aid you integration process. It may also come in handy in the classroom. Greeting the students in their vernacular language would have a disarming effect. It would establish a great platform for cooperation and learning. Nelson Mandela Trick

Pay attention to the Details Ask the learners how they are doing. Look at them. Measure their facial expressions. Back of the notebooks: “He had written about the things he wanted to do before he died. The first thing he wanted to do was to own a gun so that he could protect his family. The second thing was to own a rhino horn from a rhino he had slain himself. The last thing was to kill an Afrikaner because in the past, an Afrikaner had done something to his uncle and grandpa which he could never forget - something painful and atrocious. After this entry the boy had written about the lovely things he did for his mother on mother's day. He ended that entry by writing, 'I love her.' I would be a fool to judge him as evil.” Some learners cannot focus on school work due to serious social issues which you must try to address. When faced with situations such as these, ask a local teacher who you trust for advice.

Have fun with cultural differences The silent lesson: Non Verbal Communication Learn their names and the meanings behind these names Tell them they are setting the example for South Africa (This always makes them behave well) Take advantage of the existent opportunities: e.g. my rappers

Share your learning Experiences with the Teachers Keep the local teachers informed about everything you have been doing and experiencing in the classroom. Brainstorm ideas with them for future classes. Keep them involved. Hear their ideas/problems. Inspire them. In the long-run, changing the attitude of the teachers is of paramount importance

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