Cultural Differences in Teaching and Learning Styles

Cultural Differences in Teaching and Learning Styles

Cultural Differences in Teaching and Learning Styles

Australia and Indonesia have different culture when the learning process is going on. The Australian students will treat the teacher or lecturer casually, such as when they do not agree with the lecturer, they feel tired and bored, and they will tell him or her directly and ask to read the book later. The students are also so critical and not passive. If the students are passive, other students will ask what they are thinking. The students also can bring food and drink such as in a coffee than a classroom. Nowadays, the students are the center and the teacher only encourages the discussion in the classroom.[1]

A pub or bar might have negative connotation for Indonesian but not for Australian. Otherwise, a bar or pub is the place where friends meet and new friends are made. People come to the place not only for drink but also for socialize, listen to the live music or study. Most of the bars have an outdoor area where people can enjoy their lunch and discuss with their friends.[2]

The different atmosphere in Germany,the universities and institutions focus strongly on research and teaching. Some institutions are the same as Indonesia which have specialize in specific subject areas. The academic year is generally divided into two six-month period called semesters. The winter semester normally begin in October, the summer semester in April. Courses usually run over around three months in the summer semester and four months in the winter semester. Students are expected to use non-lecturer period (recess) to go over the material from past semesters and to prepare for the coming ones. They also use this time to complete internships.[3]Many young people use internships before, during after their training to gain practical career experience in a company or organization. Depending on what was agreed, an internship can last several months. Internship generally receive no payment or only very little for this work.[4]

For Asian’s students especially in Japan, they have cleaning periods after the class finish. The students highly asked to clean the class before going home. They have to divide the garbage into combustible and non-combustible material.[5]

INFORMATION ABOUT AUSTRALIAN SCHOOL

1.      Students in Australian school are provided with the text books they need. Their school library lends them the textbooks and they have enough for all students. Copying is not allowed. Students only have to buy their own exercise books (buku tulis) for writing in

2.      There are usually no religious lessons in Australian schools except religious school. Even in these schools, students can choose whether they want to follow these lessons or not

3.      Students who misbehave, for example wagging (bolos) are given detention. This means students have to do schoolwork at recess and lucnhtime, in a room and with teacher supervision. Suspension from school for a period of time is also form disclipline used in Australian scholls

4.      Most high schools in Australia provides lockers for student. Student can put their books and personal belongings in them. This facility is optional and is not compulsory. At Kormilda College, for example, the facility is free. But at Darwin High School Students have to pay $10 rental for a year if  they want to use the locker

5.      After school holidays, students generally start back on the second day of the term, which is usually on a Tuesday. Teachers, on the other hand, have to start work on the Monday. Teachers usually use the first day to prepare and organize matters related to their teaching. Sometimes schools conduct Professional Development workshops for teacher on that particular day. So, when the school starts the following day, everything is ready. There is no excuse for teachers who are not ready to teach.

6.      Every Australian citizen has the opportunity to study at university whether they have enough money or not. They can pay their university tuition fees up front or, if they can’t afford it, they can borrow their tuition fees. When they finish their studies and get a job, and when their salary exceeds a certain amount, then the government will regularly deduct money from their salary to repay their tuition fees.[6]

Cross cultural learning experiences will be structured to build a knowledge base and provide direct experience of another culture. Through both modes of learning, students will become more capable of interacting in meaningful ways with people in a cross cultural context. The following goal statements guide the cross cultural program:

1. Cross Cultural Understanding

Openness to a new way of experiencing the world will be developed through observing and interacting with people whose values, communication patterns, ways of knowing, and world view have been shaped by a different culture. Reflection and discussion of personal responses to cultural similarities and differences will be the focus of learning. Language acquisition, home stays, and a relationship with a host or host family or with individuals of another culture will greatly facilitate the development of cross-cultural understanding.

2. Cultural Self-Awareness

An ability to understand and value one's own culture alongside the culture of another is an important counterpart of cross cultural learning. Interaction with a different culture creates many opportunities to better comprehend how North American culture has influenced one's personal values, beliefs, and assumptions.

3. Global Awareness

Students will look beyond their own culture to understand social systems and institutions from the perspective of people in another culture. A conceptual framework that values the interdependent nature of cultures will be developed for examining the dynamic forces shaping any society-- religious, political, economic, social, artistic, geographic, and historical.

4. Religious Understanding and Formation

"All cultures reflect the image of God, and at the same time, all cultures distort the image of God" -Calvin Shenk Cultural awareness is the ability to discern where true reflections of God's image are found in both the home and target culture. Likewise, the cross cultural experience can help one discern religious understandings that are purely cultural and that may distort portions of God's truth in both the home and target culture. To facilitate this discernment, students will compare how faith and moral values are incorporated into the daily life of the home and target culture. Students will give particular attention to how the person and teachings of Jesus are made relevant to the social context by the Christian church.

5. Integration of Learning into Students Worldview and Lifestyle

Students are encouraged to participate in ongoing activities related to their cross cultural experiences upon their "return" to campus. These could include involvement in service-learning programs, reunions, class assignments, chapels, mentoring and orientation of new students going on cross cultural experiences, participation in selected NNU activities, continued reading and journaling.

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[1]Yuni Anjarwati, English in Use, (Pare: 2010), 38-39 based on the information from Ayu is a student in Sydney and Dany, Eny, and Farid are McGill EAP students at IALF Bali.

[2]Ibid., 40 by Sarah Wood is an IAIF exchange teacher.

[3] Julia Quirll, Studying in Germany, (Germany: DAAD, 2006) 14.

[4]Ibid., 54.

[5]Manabu Asada, School Life in Japan, 7.

[6]Yuni Anjarwati, English in Use, (Pare: 2010), 41.