International Co-ordinator Training for Schools

Intercultural understanding and

school partnerships

The three atoms

• Get together in mixed national teams of three

• Find three important things in your lives

• Find three things you all are not fond of

Illustrations by www.teresa-robertson.co.uk

When I come to you I am a resource, when you come to me you are an honoured guest

Eye contact in different cultures

Culture ConventionArab A lot of eye contact: too little could be disrespectful, but unrelated

men and women may avoid eye contact with each other as this could be seen as flirtatious.

White British The speaker makes eye contact but periodically looks away to avoid ‘staring’; a speaker who does not make eye contact may be seen as untrustworthy. A listener is expected to look at the speaker: not to do so is seen as disrespectful, or implies the person is not listening.

South Asian Direct eye contact can be seen as aggressive and disrespectful.Japanese and Chinese Direct eye contact for more than a couple of seconds is

disrespectful, especially towards people seen as social ‘superiors’.

Afro-Caribbean The speaker looks at the listener and the listener looks away: looking at the speaker may imply challenge and disrespect.

The amount of eye contact regarded as acceptable or necessary in different situations is culturally specific. For example:

What the British say What they mean What others understand

You must come for dinner

It’s not an invitation, I’m just being polite

I will get an invitation soon

Very interesting That is clearly nonsense They are impressed

That is a very brave proposal

You are insane He thinks I have courage

That’s not bad That’s good That’s poor

With the greatest respect I think you are an idiot He is listening to me

I hear what you say I disagree and do not want to discuss it further

He accepts my point of view

Oh, by the way The primary purpose of our discussion is…

That is not very important

How might cultural diversity affect your partnership ?

• Misinterpretation

• Assumptions about one another

• Expectations of money

• Way schools work

• Different teaching styles

• Respect for elders

• Time issues

• Moral/religious differences

• Traditions/family structures

• Willingness to admit mistakes

• Flexibility

• Prejudice

Great school uniform debate

This activity considers the values of different groups within a community and

whether these can all be respected.

What happens when minority groups’ values are not the same as those of the

majority ?

The Great School uniform debate

This week a row erupted in the town’s largest school when members of the school council voted for changes to the school’s uniform. The principal of the school has said publicly that she will try to respect the students’ democratic wishes.

Complaints beginSoon after the decision, a small group of students – mainly members of the Christian Union – began a campaign to change the council’s decision. They put up posters round the school and in the town centre inviting members of the public to join them at a special meeting at the community centre.

Father Newton, the local Catholic priest, was one of the people who helped to organise the meeting. He said that all good Catholics should oppose the new school uniform code in whatever way they could. He warned, ‘If the college decides to go ahead with this new uniform code, I shall be urging my congregation from the pulpit to ring or write in and complain about it – whether they have children at the college or not.’

The Great School uniform debate

Threat of removalTwo days ago, a letter from Muhammad Siddiqui appeared in this paper echoing Father Newton’s concern. Muhammad Siddiqui said that, if the new uniform code is introduced, he would remove his daughters from the college and advise other Muslim parents to do the same.

The story goes onOther letters written to this paper suggest that support is evenly spread. One organisation which has come out very strongly in support of the new uniform is the council’s community cohesion committee. Bryan Malyon, chair of the committee, said: ‘I can’t see what all the fuss is about. They have had such school uniform codes in French schools for ages! There is no place in school for religion – it can be divisive.’

New Uniform regulations

The new school uniform code

The new set of rules concerning school uniform causing such a stir has had only two

changes:

For girls, skirts can be knee-length to ankle-length as opposed to the previous rule which

allowed only ankle-length skirts to be worn.

No religious symbols or headwear are to be worn. This will include crosses and headscarves.

There was previously no rule concerning this.

What should the headteacher do ?

Accept the decision of the school council and bring in the new uniform code.

Turn down the new school uniform code.

Ask the school council to think again.

Ask the parents what they think.

Ask the teachers what they think.

Ask members of the community for their opinions. Invite people to a meeting to discuss the issue.

Allow some groups permission to break the rules

Living together http://schoolsonline.britishcouncil.org/partnerships2/86758

What has happened here ?

How does each of the parties involved feel ?

Why do they feel that way ?

What assumptions have they made ?

What other actions could they take ?