Communicating With Sugar

Inserting one's self into a new culture is always an adventure. Depending upon the specific circumstances, of course, it can one that is negative, positive or a bit of both. Without question, teaching in South Korea falls under the "positive" category. At the same time, this has not to say it has not been without its set of challenges. Specifically, I refer to the two-fold charge given each faculty member. One, not surprisingly, is to carry out their duties as instructors in terms of providing students with insight into their specific areas of study. The other revolves around preparing non-American students to succeed academically when they transfer to the United States. Taking classes in the US is a requirement of taking classes at George Mason University's campus in South Korea.

It is my observation that it is this second part that is proving to be the bigger challenge for a number of the instructors. Students have a culture when it comes to classroom behavior that is different from what exists in America. Students in South Korea are far less reluctant to speak out in class than they are in the US. A number of the teachers are having a difficult time when this reality, particularly since they recognize that for students to succeed in the US, they are going to have to be more extravert in their classroom behavior: ask questions, volunteer to answer questions, participate in classroom discussion, etc. It seems the harder teachers push the students to speak out in class, the more they shut-down.

For this logjam to be removed, a behavioral change is necessary. As the ones stepping into a new culture, the instructors are going to need to be the ones who, in a sense, make the first move. Right now, by pushing too hard, they are giving their Korean students greater reason to pull-back. Instead, the teachers need to do a more creative job of creating a safer environment within their classes. Doing so will help the students feel more empowered to speak out. The students are nervous and a bit intimidated about being in college already. Consequently, the teachers need to do a better job of offering the students sugar rather than a stick. Here, it is not just a matter of  communicating, but being sensitive enough to communicate in a particular way. Education, after all, is about the students.