Here, we’ll explore why the most effective international English teacher training courses include an element covering cultural sensitivity and cultural awareness.

It’s important, of course, for a TEFL (teaching English as a foreign language) course to include nuts-and-bolts elements in its curriculum covering basic teaching strategies, learning theories, and a review of English fundamentals.

But we overlook the cultural piece at our own peril.

So let’s get into why this often-overlooked element of a well-designed TEFL course – cultural sensitivity – is so valuable for up-and-coming English as a second language (ESL) teachers considering teaching abroad in Spain or elsewhere.

What is cultural sensitivity?

According to the American Psychological Association, cultural sensitivity is an “awareness and appreciation of the values, norms, and beliefs characteristic of a cultural, ethnic, racial, or other group that is not one’s own, accompanied by a willingness to adapt one’s behavior accordingly.”

The Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity, pioneered by noted sociologist Milton Bennet and sometimes known as the Bennett Scale, charts the typical steps involved in developing cultural sensitivity:

• Step 1: Denial, in which the individual rejects the existence or importance of cultural differences
• Step 2: Defense, in which the individual frames cultural differences as competition or a threat to his or her native culture
• Step 3: Minimization, in which the individual downplays the importance of cultural differences and assumes one’s own cultural values are universally shared
• Step 4: Acceptance, in which the individual comes to terms with the fact that cultural differences are valid and should be respected
• Step 5: Adaptation, in which the individual adapts emotionally and intellectually to the foreign cultural environment, facilitating easier and deeper social interaction
• Step 6: Integration, in which the individual fully internalizes the foreign cultural values and norms so that the internal psychological environment is fully compatible with the outside social environment. This final step usually occurs after years, or decades, spent in a foreign environment.

The process of developing cultural sensitivity takes time. Most of the people in host countries are understanding of the challenges posed by cultural differences and very forgiving – on the one condition that they believe you are sincerely trying to adapt.

To learn more about cultural sensitivity and how it relates to ESL teachers, consider a blog post that I previously wrote elsewhere about my personal trials and tribulations navigating sticky cultural issues abroad.

What are some practical ways to create a culturally sensitive ESL classroom?

There are several practical ways for teachers to incorporate the principles of cultural sensitivity into the classroom. Here are a few ideas with real-world examples based on personal experience.

Cultural sensitivity ESL practice #1: Work local pop culture into your lesson plan

I came to Thailand (for the second time) in 2016, when Disney’s Frozen theme song “Let It Go” was at peak popularity with the Thai youth.

(I realize this example is a little bit tricky because it involves a cultural artifact – Frozen – that was imported from the West, so it’s not native. Yet, Western music and movies are incredibly popular abroad – often more so than they are back in America. It’s always difficult to guess which piece of Western pop culture is going to bleed into Southeast Asian pop culture and explode like “Let It Go” did.)

Anyway, as a fun warm-up for class, I designed an activity that centered around singing the lyrics to “Let It Go,” all of which the students knew intimately but didn’t necessarily understand the meaning of or how to properly pronounce.

Had I been less culturally aware, I might have chosen a song with less appeal and the lesson wouldn’t have been as effective as a result.

That’s a small example, and maybe a bit of a silly one. Nonetheless, it drives home the point that designing your lesson plans catering to the interests of your local population is key to effective ESL work.

Cultural sensitivity ESL practice #2: Work local customs and holidays into your lesson plan

I found that, for instance, the youngest Vietnamese students at the language school in Lao Cai where I taught for a season were much more responsive to ESL lessons related to Tet – the Vietnamese lunar new year celebration – than they were to lessons covering Halloween, which they had no awareness of.

Often, older students, especially ones that have been exposed to Western media, are intensely curious about the West, but younger students as a general rule are more enthusiastic about topics they are already familiar with.

Cultural sensitivity ESL practice #3: Respect local norms in the classroom and the office

One of the quickest ways to lose favor with the parents, students, and other teachers at your school is to violate a social norm that they value to a high degree.

Unfortunately, Western English teachers abroad often commit such violations totally unintentionally.

For instance, in Arabian culture, showing another the sole of one’s foot is considered a show of disrespect. It is a major social faux pas. To my detriment, I was not made aware of this norm, and so when I sat down to meet with my boss, I crossed my foot over my knee, exposing the sole of my shoe to him.

Our professional relationship went downhill from there, and ultimately ended acrimoniously.

A solid TEFL course designed to teach English as a foreign language to a specific population will include a module or two on local cultural practices so that you avoid making a similar mistake.

Does cultural sensitivity mean you must abandon your personal values or beliefs?

One of the most common misconceptions surrounding cultural sensitivity is that it necessarily requires that the foreigner sacrifice his or her personal values or belief system.

This is not true.

For proof of this, one need only look to Mormon missionaries. I have found Mormon missionaries, amazingly, in nearly every country I’ve ever spent a significant amount of time in – in the remote outskirts of Bangkok where no foreigners ever tread, in the rural plains of Western Ukraine where again very few Americans live, etc.

While these missionaries' goal is, of course, to engage with the locals in order to convince them to convert to Mormonism, they are extremely culturally literate and tactful in their approach. Each one I have ever met has not only spoken the local language, but understood the cultural nuances.

In this way, they put themselves in a position to first establish a rapport, avoiding common cultural pitfalls or misunderstandings, and then to connect in a more personal way with their new friends. It’s a brilliant strategy, and it apparently works for the Mormons because they utilize it worldwide.

The bottom line: you don’t need to forfeit personal values that you hold dear in order to be culturally sensitive. Cultural awareness is about building social bridges, not destroying personal integrity.

Contact RVF International to learn more about TEFL certification

Choosing the right TEFL course for your career goals and personal development puts you on a direct path to success in the global English as a second language (ESL) industry.

We understand this industry intimately and are always excited to share our hard-earned experiences with teachers new to the game. Contact us to learn more about the work we do placing teachers in rewarding ESL positions across Spain.

Also, if you’ve been considering venturing abroad to teach English, consider the benefits chronicled in our blog post, 10 Reasons Why You Should Choose a Teach Abroad Program in Spain.

Ben Bartee is a Bangkok-based American journalist, grant writer, political essayist, researcher, travel blogger, and amateur philosopher. Contact him on Linkedin and check out his portfolio.