In-Service Training: Cultural Awareness

November 20, 2006

Evaluation Responses

Organizations Represented: SHINE - 2

MANO – 4
BOLD – 5
OCLC – 1
Project Literacy - 2

1. In this training, what was one thing you learned that

will be useful to you as you interact with ESOL students?
“Packet was useful. Also, new websites will be helpful.”
“I learned gestures that have different meanings in different cultures.”
“Reminder to note cultural differences & not make assumptions.”
“Students from South & East Asian countries are less likely to raise their hands in
class for fear of saying the wrong thing/ brining shame upon themselves.”
“A better understanding of cultural difference will be very helpful.”
“Issues related to cultural differences (time/punctuality and machismo/
assertiveness), Korean/ Asian related “differences:” punctuality, respect”
“I’m interested in exploring the two websites further.”
“Learning more about Mexican culture will provide topics of conversation (&
useful knowledge for me!)”
“To be more attuned to cultural variations. Also, to include more than just English
language but American cultural as well.”
“Cultural differences between American symbols & time management, etc. and
Latin cultures.”
“Useful resources for specific etiquette.”
“Hofstede’s Intercultural Dimensions”
“Importance of gestures!”
“Idea of pride vs. shame”

2. Do you feel that the material presented at this training

will help you as an ESOL tutor? How will this information
help you? If you do not feel this training was helpful,
what improvement is necessary?
“Yes, it’s always helpful to know about cultural differences that I may not have
encountered.”
“Yes – interacting with people from other countries is easier if you have a
background knowledge to on & utilize.”
“Info was helpful. Provided new insight.”
“Yes – will make me consider cultural differences more as a possible source of
problems and work to minimize such problems.”
“I liked the list of cultural norms in the booklet the best. The Hofstede studies
were interesting. I’m curious on how he arrived to those conclusions. Perhaps
we could do more practical exercises like the last red page when we’re given
different scenarios of teacher/student interactions. ”
“Much of the info was interesting but not very relevant to the work we do, but we
have a pretty homogenous group, & very informal relationships.”
“This material made me more aware of ideas that I take for granted like differing
ideas of education in different cultures. I’m not sure how this will help me
specifically as an ESOL teacher, but it makes me a better informed person.”
“Yes – although country/regional/ specifics as they pertain to L. America/ Mexico
would have been more helpful for our group. All in all I enjoyed the academic
approach & the wealth of info about various countries.”
“This material is somewhat helpful. It would be nice if the focus was more on the
teaching setting.”
“Yes. The websites provided will be a good, quick & accurate reference point.”
“Yes; be more aware for how men expect to be treated, and why they may have a
problem with a woman learning in the same class as them.”
“I think it was helpful in that it gave us all an opportunity to sit and discuss some
of these issues.
“Yes, definitely, makes me more aware that there is a very wide variety of
cultures represented.”

3. Did you find the opportunity to interact with other

organizations and ESOL tutors to be beneficial?
“Yes” – (9)
“Yes, it was nice to hear about the differences & similarities between the various
programs & to see how my work relates to others.’”
“Yes – more get to know you activities.”
“More discussion of actual ESL programs by their representatives would have
been helpful.”
“Yes, I enjoyed meeting new people.”
“Yes – future trainings should focus more on this opportunity.”
“Somewhat, helps me learn about other opportunities.”

4. What topics would you suggest for the next OCCC In-
Service training (to be held in January 2007)? What time
of the week is most convenient for you to attend trainings?
“Focusing more on the differences & similarities among programs - sharing
experiences. Mondays & Wednesdays.”
“How to organize/ coordinate ESL programs. Mon/ Wed are best.”
“Tues nights: topics: getting started w/ new students; good books & other
resources.”
“Last week of January. Topics: how to talk about punctuality differences with
students, or other more sensitive topics.”
“Immigration reform info. ESL teaching strategies – This time works.”
“I think a topic about specific methods of teaching, perhaps something about
teaching pronunciation would be helpful.”
“Same time (maybe?) – possibly Tues. Thurs.; teaching techniques, materials,
gauging a students’ ability.”
“Anytime”
“The same time, I believe. Lesson planning, real conditions of various immigrant
life & status.”
“?; Mon, Wed 4-6”
“Maybe some language-teaching specific instruction and activities. Tuesdays
and Thursdays are better than MWF.”
“Don’t really know. Maybe about what to do with people falling behind or having
trouble?”
“Mondays”