American Cultural Encounters At School Adapted from the book by Carol Kasser and Ann M. Silverman. Alemany Press.
American Cultural Encounters At School Adapted from the book by Carol Kasser and Ann M. Silverman. Alemany Press.
Dec 22, 2015
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American Cultural EncountersAt School
Adapted from the book by Carol Kasser and Ann M. Silverman. Alemany Press.
1. When the Teacher ArrivesYou are sitting in the classroom talking with classmates when the teacher enters the room.
What is the best thing to do?
• Stand up.
• Remain seated but look at the teacher to pay attention.
• Remain seated and keep your eyes down, out of respect.
Next
No. American teachers don't expect this degree of formality. Try again.
Back
Yes. This would be an appropriate way to show respect for the teacher and will indicate your readiness to begin the lesson.
Back
Eye contact is an important indication to your teacher that you are paying attention. Keeping your eyes down avoids eye contact and can be interpreted by Americans as a sign of sneakiness or possible guilt.
Back
2. Late for ClassYou are late for class and the teacher is already talking when you arrive. What do you
do? • Knock and wait until the teacher lets you in.
• Enter the room, apologize to the teacher and then take your seat.
• Don’t go to class.
• Enter as quietly as possible and take a seat near the door.
Next
No. You will disrupt the class proceedings. Try again.
Back
Although it is a good idea to enter the classroom, save your apology until after the class so that you don’t take up class time.
Back
You may miss work that you need, and your absence may be counted against you. Try again.
Back
Right. If you wish to apologize to the teacher or explain your lateness, do so after class.
Back
3. The Teacher is LateThe teacher hasn’t come to class yet, and the class was supposed to start ten minutes ago.
What should you do? • Stay in class until the end of period.
• Leave because ten minutes is long enough to wait for anyone.
• Decide to wait or leave depending on what degrees or rank the teacher has.
• Wait or leave depending on how well you like the teacher.
Next
Students don’t have to wait until the end of the class period.
Back
Most schools have a definite policy about how long to wait. Find out what the policy is before the situation arises. Ten minutes is usually not long enough. See first answer above.
Back
You should never leave right away, because the teacher may be unavoidable delayed. Some colleges and universities do require that you wait longer for higher ranking faculty. Check your school policy. If you don’t know your school policy, twenty minutes is a good idea.
Back
No. See first answer above.
Back
4. I Need a HandoutThe teacher gave out handouts to the class and
you didn’t get one. You say: • “Give me a handout.”
• “I didn’t get a handout.”
• “You didn’t give me a handout.”
• “May I please have a handout?”
Next
It is not polite to give a command (use the imperative) when talking to a teacher.
Back
This is acceptable.
Back
Avoid using “you” because it sounds like you are criticizing the teacher.
Back
This is the most polite response.
Back
5. Excuse me, Teacher.The teacher is talking to the class, and you didn’t understand part of his/her lecture. What
should you do?
• Look at your neighbor’s notes.
• Whisper to your neighbor for help.
• Raise your hand and ask the teacher to repeat and/or explain what he said.
• Wait until the end of class and then ask the teacher to explain his point.
Next
No. Your neighbor may be just as lost as you, or mis-informed. Also you may distract or annoy the student. Try again.
Back
No, for the same reasons as above.
Back
Yes. Don’t be embarrassed to ask for a repetition or explanations. Other students may also have the same problem. If the teacher’s explanation doesn’t help, then make an appointment for some extra help after class.
Back
This is not a bad choice, but it usually is a good idea to get immediate clarification if something isn’t clear, so you can understand the rest of the lecture.
Back
6. Getting the Teacher’s AttentionThe teacher gave an independent writing assignment to be started in class. She agreed to talk with individual students if anyone needed help. You are in a hurry to begin your assignment but you want to talk to the teacher before you start. She is already talking
to another student. What do you do? • Sit quietly until the teacher notices you.• Walk over to her, excuse yourself, and state your q
uestion.• As soon as you see that the teacher has finished tal
king with the other student, raise your hand and try to make eye contact with the teacher.
• Walk over to the teacher and stand near him waiting for his attention.
Next
No, because if the teacher is busy, she may never notice you. Try again.
Back
If you do this, you will be interrupting the other student. This is considered impolite. Most Americans expects others to “wait their turn,” and teachers prefer to work with one student at a time. Try again.
Back
Correct. Eye contact is important in establishing communication in most situations. This means looking directly at the eyes of the person with whom you wish to speak. Notice how frequently Americans use eye contact with each other to establish or to maintain communication.
Back
This might be okay with some teachers. However most teachers prefer to work with only one student at a time. Most American teachers feel uncomfortable and “crowded” when several students surround them. The teacher would probably prefer that you stay in your seat. See the answer above. Back
7. Please see me after class. Your friend is having trouble in his English class. The teacher asks to see him after class. Your friend
doesn’t speak English very well. You:
• Go with your friend to see the teacher and speak for him.
• Stay with your friend for “moral support,” but let him speak for himself.
• Wait for your friend outside the classroom.• Tell your friend that you’ll see him later.
Next
You should never do this. Conferences are meant to be private. If the teacher cannot communicate with your friend, the teacher can ask someone to translate.
Back
No, see the answer above.
Back
This is better that the first two answers. However, your friend may hurry through the conference if he knows you are waiting.
Back
Yes.
Back
8. No time for lunch. Your schedule is very busy and don’t have time to sit down and eat your lunch before class. What should
you do?
• Sit at the rear of the room and discreetly open your lunch bag or a candy bar.
• Try to eat a piece of fruit or part of a sandwich before class, even if you have to do it quickly.
• Finish your lunch outside of class even if it means getting to class a little late.
• Go hungry. Next
Don’t eat or drink meals or snacks in class, unless the teacher gives specific permission. (In small classes or seminars where everyone is seated around a table, this is sometimes permitted. But wait for the teacher’s initiative.)
Back
Right.
Back
Although you’re right about not eating in class, many teachers do not approve of lateness. Try again.
Back
Being hungry in class can be a major distractor in learning.
Back
9. Teachers Don’t Know Everything You ask the teacher a question. He doesn’t know the
answer. You expect the teacher to:
• Say, “I don’t know the answer, but I’ll find out for you.”
• Say that he doesn’t have time for questions.
• Tell you to find the answer and report back to the class.
• Ask the class if anyone knows the answer. Next
This is a likely reply. In American society, a teacher is usually not embarrassed to admit that he or she does not know the answer to a student’s question. However, the teacher should find out the answer and inform the students.
Back
The teacher may be covering up the fact that he or she doesn’t know the answer, or there might not in fact be enough time for discussion. Several teachers might help you to find the answer after class or at another time.
Back
This sometimes occurs in American classrooms. Since the teacher does not lose prestige by admitting that he is unable to answer a question, he may want to student who asked the question to investigate and report to the class. If the teacher asks a student to find an answer to a question, it’s very important that the student make an effort to do so.
Back
This response is also acceptable. The teacher could also assign the question to a student or to the whole class.
Back
10. The “Undignified” Teacher You have noticed that one of your women teachers sometimes sits on her desk when teaching, wears pants to class, and often talks with students informally after class. You are puzzled by her
behavious and conclude that: • Your teacher doesn’t take her job seriously.
• She puts comfort before professionalism.
• She wants students to think of her as an equal.
• Her behavior is normal by American standards.
Next
You can’t come to this conclusion from the information given.
Back
Not necessarily (See the above answer.).
Back
This may be true, but a more likely explanation of her behavior does exist. Try again.
Back
Right. Americans would consider this kind of behavior to be informal but not undignified or inappropriate for a teacher or professor.
Back
11. Homework HelpYour teacher gave a homework assignment that you
aren’t able to do. It is due the next day, so you: • Get help from your friend and, if necessary, use he
r answers.• Tell the teacher you can’t do the assignment.• Ask the teacher if he will explain the assignment b
efore the end of class.• Ask the teacher for an appointment so you can dis
cuss both the assignment and other questions you have about the course.
Next
American teachers strongly disapprove of this kind of cooperation, unless they have specifically told students to work together. Your teacher will feel that you are not learning the material if you use your friend’s answers.Back
Telling the teacher that you can’t do the assignment will seem like a defeatist attitude. It’s more positive to ask for the teacher’s help than to state that you can’t do the work. See the next two answers.
Back
This is a good idea, particularly if you think that other students in the class also have question. If you feel that you are having more difficulty than the other students or that you need more of the teacher’s time. See the last answer.
Back
You can always do this if you feel you need extra help. If the teacher seems very busy, ask when you can have time to talk about the course. See the second answer.
Back
12. The Late AssignmentYour assignment is due tomorrow. You know that it won’t be ready to hand in on time. What do you do?
• You decide not to go to class until the assignment
is finished.• Outside of class, explain the situation to the teache
r and request an extension.• Stay up all night to finish the assignment as well a
s you can. Turn in whatever you have on the due date.
• Go to class without the paper.
Next
This is the coward’s way out. Not only is your paper not in, but you’ll miss classwork. Your teacher will probably realize why you are absent and won’t excuse the paper’s lateness just because you were not in class. Try again.
Back
It’s a good idea to do this if you think you have a good reason for handing in the assignment late. However, the teacher has the right to refuse late papers or to give them a lower grade. Please note that teachers expect assignments on time. You should offer an excuse only in the case of a real emergency.
Back
Many students do this. If you don’t have a good explanation for being late, this may be the best alternative.
Back
It’s better to go to class without the assignment than not to go at all. But remember that teachers take assignments seriously. Lateness will probably lower your grade.
Back
13. Time for a QuizThe teacher announces that it’s time for a quiz and asks students to put their books away.
You:
• Clear off your desk, get out a pen or pencil, and move your desk so that you are isolated from your nearest neighbor.
• Hold a whispered last-minute consultation with your neighbor to get a few last minute answers.
• Move your desk closer to your neighbor.
Next
Right, this is what most American teachers expect when they announce a test.
Back
No. Last-minute whispering angers most teachers and disturbs other students. If you’re not prepared by then, it’s probably too late to do anything about it.
Back
No. To the teacher, this is a signal that you intend to exchange information with the other student. The teacher expects you to do your own work.
Back
14. Time’s Not UpYou are taking a test in class. You finish early, but were not able to answer all the questions. What
should you do? • Glance at your neighbor’
s paper to see if he has answered any of the questions that you were unable to do.
• Whisper or pass a note to a neighbor and ask for help.
• Turn your paper over and remain seated.• Re-read the questions and check your answers.
When you are sure you have done your best, turn in your paper to the teacher.
Next
No, this is considered cheating. If you are caught you may fail the test. The teacher expects your test paper to reflect your work only.
Back
No. See the above answer. Also, whispering disturbs your neighbor and other students.
Back
While this isn’t wrong, you can make better use of your time. Try again.
Back
Yes. Use extra time to amplify or to add answers, but don’t change previous answers unless you are sure you made a mistake.
Back
15. May I Be Excused?
You must leave class early for an appointmen. You:
• Get up and walk out when it is time to go. • Tell the teacher before class that you must leave
early and then go when it is time to leave.• When it is time to leave, get up and explain to the
teacher why you are leaving.• Don’t go to class that day.
Next
No. This is rude to the teacher. If you are leaving early, the teacher is entitled to an explanation.
Back
This is the best choice. However, students should not schedule conferences or appointments during school hours except in emergencies, because it disturbs the class when students come in and go out of the room. If you don’t have assigned seats, take a seat near the door and leave as quietly as possible. Don’t ask to be excused to make a phone call, get a drink, talk to a friend or go to the bathroom except in an emergency. These things should be done before or after class.
Back
No. This disturbs the whole class. Although the teacher is entitled to an explanation, it should be given privately before class.
Back
If you can only stay for five or ten minutes, this is not a bad idea. However, if you can stay for most of the period, you should not miss the classwork.
Back
16. Class is OverThe bell rings to end the class but the teacher is still
talking. You have to go to another class. You: • Get up and leave when the bell rings.• Close your books but sit still until the teacher
finishes talking.• Continue taking notes until the teacher finishes
talking.• Put on your coat, and then put your books and
pencils away.
Next
No! The bell is a signal for the teacher, not for the student. The teacher may think that you are anxious to leave his class.
Back
No. You may miss some important notes. See the above answer.
Back
Yes! The teacher will appreciate your courtesy. If the teacher frequently lets you out late, some of the students could politely remind him after class that many of you have to go to another class after his.
Back
No. See the first answer.
Back
17. Gifts to TeachersWhen do you think it is proper to give a teacher a
gift? • Never.• Anytime.
• Christmas.
• At the end of the term, after grades are given.
• On the teacher’s birthday.
You are never required to give a present, but it is all right to give gifts if you wish. The habit of giving gifts to teachers is common in elementary school and preschool, but it is much less common in the higher grades.
Back
No. Sometimes teachers misinterpret frequent gifts as an attempt to influence the teacher to give the student a good grade.
Back
Gifts are not required. They are optional (up to the student). Christmas is a time when some students do give gifts to their teachers. Money or very expensive gifts are inappropriate. Books, perfume, gloves, cookies, or candy, etc., are acceptable gifts. Homemade gifts are often appreciated.
Back
If you wish to show appreciation to a teacher, this is a good time to do it. Since the grades are already decided, the teacher will not misunderstand your reason for giving a gift.
Back
Students don’t usually know a teacher’s birthday.
Back
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