Q&A: Some Foreign Students believe College Courses should be all lecture?
Question by Jane W: Some Foreign Students believe College Courses should be all address?
I teach business courses at a local Community College. One thing I despise responsibility in any class I teach is to just address to the students for the 2 hour course. Though many of my foreign students get mad when I expect them to speak up in class or do presentations. In fact many just refuse to speak up in class and go mute when I call on them.
A few times I insisted they answer the question and when I pushed it they stormed out of class and reported me to the handing out.
They insisted that in their country the teachers talked not the students.
What do you reckon of this?
Best answer:
Answer by Science Instructor
Obviously, teach is uncommon in uncommon countries and respecting others is vital.
But, if you were going to teach in their country you would respect how the instructor managed his/her classroom; and your students (despite what they might expect) need to respect how you are choosing to run your classroom. If it was me, I would make class participation part of the grade. Then they would have to participate or face the consequences.
Respect is a two-way street. I reckon sometimes we let people uncommon from ourselves walk all over us in the name of respecting their culture.
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This is a cultural thing. You just need to be a small patient. But this is America and if your students want to be successful here, they have to learn the American way. You should clarify to them that giving presentations in class is for their own benefits. It is a vital cleverness in any business planet and is essential for them to succeed here. Some of them may be shy because of their cultural background or don’t speak English well. You probably need lots of encouragement for them to overcome those. Just be patient and communicate with them.