Cultural Awareness in the EFL Workplace: Balancing

Globalization and Localization

CULI National Seminar 19/20 November 2012

Steven GrahamKhon Kaen University International College

Introduction

• The many faces of ELT• Culture• Hofstede• Embree• Komin• Persons• Discussion

The Many Faces of ELT

• Teaching• Teacher Training• Lecturing• Research• Leadership and Management• Writing• Publishing

President IATEFL Voices 229 November-December 2012

Culture

• Tilling the soil, cultivation• Training or refining of the mind, civilisation• Collective ways of acting, thinking and feeling• Values and practices

Hofstede (2008)

ความรบัผิดชอบความรบัผิดชอบ = responsibility

ความ = something รบั = given ผิด = don't ชอบ = like

Something given to you that you don't like.

Hofstede (1980) (2001)

• Low or high power distance• Individualism or collectivism• Masculinity or femininity• Strong or weak uncertainty avoidance• Long or short term orientation

Komin (1990)• Ego• Grateful relationship• Smooth interpersonal relationship• Flexibility and adjustment• Religio-psychical • Education and competence• Interdependence• Fun-pleasure• Achievement-task

Embree (1950)

• A loosely structured social system• Individualistic behavior• To tell a lie is praiseworthy• Choei• Insecurity of property• Lack of qualified teachers and resources• Neatness• Sanuk

Persons (2008)

• Nata• Kiat• Saksi• Chuesiang• Barami

Persons

Discussion

• People are individuals• Assimilation of culture over time• Erosion of peripheral values• Core values

Discussion

• Task vs harmony• Kraeng cai• Choei• Management training• The need for consultation and better lines of

communication (Hoy 2009)

Cultural Awareness in the EFL Workplace: Balancing

Globalization and Localization

Steven GrahamKhon Kaen University International College

steven@kku.ac.th