CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE: A CROSS-CULTURAL STUDY OF CLASSROOM BEHAVIORS

Abstract

Cultural diversity in an ESL/EFL class offers both teacher and students the opportunity to meet and become familiar with various aspects of the students’ home countries. However, the resulting gulf between what is considered appropriate or inappropriate in a classroom setting can prove disconcerting if a teacher is not adept at interpreting those behavioral displays. This study was undertaken to compare the classroom etiquette, i.e. appropriate and inappropriate behavioral displays in an instructional setting, across eight countries (Argentina, China, Italy, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, the Ukraine and Vietnam).