It was a busy days for me and I am pretty tired right now! But I still want to write something to share with you all.
Today, first thing that happened in the morning science lesson was Sandi came and video taped my teaching. I just did my teaching as normal, but because of the miscommunication among me, Sandi and partner teachers, when I was told they did not know Sandi would come to observe and videotaped me! Oh, MY LORD! I forgot to confirm with my partner teachers yesterday and I felt bad about it! I started to loose my mind and forgot my lesson plan procedure! Anyway, I would re-teach the concepts that I need to cover today in tomorrow class. It's never been too late to mend what I failed to do today. I believe everyday is a NEW DAY and learning new things day after day. That's the reason why we enrolled in this program to refine our teaching techniques. But one thing I still need to adapt myself a bit more in this Canadian Culture is "To Ask Questions All The Time." Before that, my previous practicum was just a 360 degrees turn around practice. The partner teacher I worked with was very considerate and she would remind me every minor things she could think of! But in Canada, you have to be more assertive to find out and figure out what you want to know! That's a "Culture Shock" to me.
Whenever I finished any lesson, either Math or Science lesson, there are always things that my partner teachers told me were the things that should have told me when they review my unit plan before I started out to teach that Science or Math Unit. In my thinking, I thought I would feel fair and make sense to me if these were their expectations. I probably have to do from now on, I have to take the initiative to ask and be more assertive because the Canadian Culture was not as considerate as Chinese Culture! This is my feeling from heart! (P.S. I did met with some Canadians that were very considerate and thoughtful, thank God for being so nice to make me meet with these people and we became good friends.)
One thing I should remind whoever read my post today, PLEASE REMEMBER if you deal with Division I, don't call them "My babies" because if the kids went back and told their parents about it, the parents would come over and complain about it, because in Canadian Culture this means to belittle the kids and lower their self-esteem even if you don't have this intention!! Just a friendly reminder for you. In my culture, this is mean to be "My love one" or "My sweetie". When I knew this meant something different in Canadian Culture, then I would not use it.
Have a great day in your practicum!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Hi Maria,
ReplyDeleteI`ve been thinking about you yesterday. I know the feeling.
There are huge differences in all the cultures all over the world.Culture varies in many ways.
I agree with you. It is really difficult to understand and embrace one`s culture at once.It takes a long while to appreciate a culture especially so that we came from a country that culture is valued so much.
A teacher was complaining to me that a parent always help his son to pick up and oraginize his stuffs during dismissal. The teacher stopped him once because she wants her sudents to be independent. Several times that she stopped the parent of doing it but then this parent did not listen.
She was asking me if it is the culture and I said YES. We are very protective and caring to the extent that we will give everything to our kids even if it will cause our life.As of now, after six years of staying in Canada I kind of trying to impose independence as early as possible to my kids.It is difficult because of my opposing partner(Always contradicting to my ways of disciplining my kids.)
However that is my culture and I cant do anything about it.
.All I can say is since we are in the Canadian school to learn the Canadian way. Be patient, wear a big smile everyday,be optimistic,and live the nine more days of practicum with meanings.
Wish you all the best for the rest of the days left in TAC. See you later. Chao la.
CHANGE is the only CONSISTENT thing in life.And with change comes COMPARISONS Its human to compare between OLD and NEW whenever there is change.But that is where one must stop in order to continue living well and enriching ones`s life. ACCEPTANCE is the key to overcoming overwhelming feelings that change brings about. Besides the CULTURE of a country or society that one comes from there is also this aspect of INDIVIDUAL beliefs......values........ideologies. The ability to think.....ratonalize and accordingly accept or reject sets us humans apart... and helps us to adapt to change in order to live successfully......and happily.
ReplyDeleteHi Anita & Abha,
ReplyDeleteI am so appreciate for both comments on my blog page. I am really warm in my heart now. I find the support from both of you and because I have so much trouble with my personal issues inside me and these drag me down, not just one single thing that contributes to this situation. I think I have to find some time to chat with Sandi today and I hope and believe she can give me a hand.
Really thankful for being so considerate!
With Love
Maria
Hi Maria,
ReplyDeleteThis is cultural difference. I can feel your love towards the kids when you called them your babies and we all understand that how a simple emotional feeling and a normal talk can be interpreted in a very different way in this culture, Please do not take it personally and try to understand the change and you will feel the difference and everything will be fine. See you tomorrow.