October 13th/2020 – Week 5 – Response to: Cultural paradigms

 

Culture is a concept that includes all of us who live on the Earth. We are surrounded by culture, and culture shapes the way we think, act, and live. Most of our decisions are influenced by the culture that is around us. It is difficult to make choices without thinking about how those around us will take receive and evaluate our choices. It is not necessary to cross borders or go overseas to find different cultural paradigms.

I live in the central part of Argentina, and there are many different paradigms all around the country. People from the north and south of the country have some paradigms that are different from mine. Those differences even appear between those who live in big cities and the ones that live in smaller cities or towns. I have a friend who was born and raised in a very small town. He has told me that people in his town usually enter other people houses without even knocking on the door. This action would be seen as something very inappropriate, even rude, where I live, and people will call the police.

Those different paradigms do not make them better or worse, they just make us different. Being different should be seen as something positive, as long as we are willing to accept and learn from our differences. Watching the videos has helped to think deeply about cultural differences around the world, especially the ones my homeland, Argentina, has with other countries on other continents as well as with those that are on the same continent.

Teaching English does not only requires teachers to teach their students about grammar rules but also teaching them about cultural facts and compare those with their culture. It will help their students to develop a greater understanding of others’ cultures and a greater respect for their own. We will also understand people’s reactions to situations in a specific way, probably different from ours.    Learning about others’ cultures broadens our view of the world and helps us to be more understanding of those that surround us.