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Culture, Sex, and Nonverbal Communication: Teaching English Abroad

After graduating from college with a degree in education, Matt found a teaching job—in Saudi Arabia. He figured that a teaching job in the Middle East would be the same as a teaching job in the United States. While there were similarities between American and Saudi schools, Matt was unprepared for the differences between the two cultures. On the first day, a number of his students arrived later than the class’s designated 10 a.m. starting time. Later, during a break, he noted that his students seemed to stand closely to each other and to him when they spoke.

After class, a confused Matt asked the American director of the teaching program about these observations. “That’s why it’s always important to do your homework!” the director responded with a laugh. He explained that Saudi Arabian culture is polychronic, which means that it has different approaches to time, and that Arab speakers often maintain closer distances during conversations than their American counterparts.

What did Matt learn in his first day of teaching?
Multiple Choice
It is impossible to teach customs.
Knowing the nonverbal communication and customs of a culture is important.
Spoken language is the most important part of a culture.
Cultural practices are similar around the world.