Cultural Values Contrast: Education

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Cultural Values Contrast

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Sherri Kelly is a teacher, administrator, and trainer of English Language Learner programs in California public schools and abroad and has studied how different cultural values influence the process of teaching and learning. Cultural Values Contrast: Education was written and compiled by Ms. Kelly, Director, Culture, Education, and Business Network of the Pacific Rim, with the assistance of John Altman, Sally Gardner, Jacques Goueth, Suliman Hussein, Gregory Marquez, Irene Park, Priscilla Taylor, Charles Ume, and Miami Yang.  Culture, Education and Business Network of the Pacific Rim, California State University, Los Angeles, 1985. This is the first part of a series of posts based on the findings of her research on the various cultural views and how they may influence student learning in the classroom. 

 Time
America
Time is valued more than people and relationship. 

 Middle East
People and relationships are valued more than time. 

 Asia
People and relationships are valued more than time. 

 Latin America
People and relationships are valued more than time. 

 Individualism
America
The individual is more important than the family. An individual's actions can't dishonor the family. The individual makes his own decisions and is responsible to and for himself.

 Middle East
The family is more important than the individual. An individual's actions can dishonor the family. The individual consults many relatives and friends before making any decisions. Responsibility is shared. 

 Asia
The individual makes decisions in accord with the group. Responsibility is shared. "The nail that sticks up gets hammered down." -Japanese proverb. 

 Latin America 
The individual may make his decisions. He may also consult family and friends. Responsibility is shared. 

Sincerity
America
Saying one will do something and then not doing it is understood to be a serious fault. 

Middle East
Saying one will do something is equal to actually doing it and is so understood. 

Asia 
Saying one will do something is often only a politeness and is so understood. 

Latin America
Saying one will do something and not doing it is considered a minor fault and is excusable. 

Truth
America
Truth is an absolute and always the same. "Always tell the truth no matter what."

Middle East
Truth is relative to time and situation. Graciousness is more important. 

Asia
Truth is relative to the situation and convenience. Saving face is more important. 

Latin America
Truth is relative to time and situation in provincial areas but more often absolute in urban situations. 

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