Summer holidays are nearly over and another year looms ahead of us educators. One of the challenges we have to face is communicating across cultures, especially with parents who are not Maltese.
The need to be aware of unique perspectives, communication styles, values, beliefs, attitudes and experiences places us in a position which is not easy to discern.
In communicating with families from different cultural groups, educators should keep in mind their diverse cultural styles. There is no one set of characteristics that can be attributed to all members of any one ethnic group. Instead, the cultural traits of individuals range from those traditionally attributed to the ethnic group to those that are descriptive of a person who has been totally assimilated into the majority culture.
Unfortunately, much of the literature describing individuals from minority groups reinforces existing stereotypes. Some observations about different cultural styles that should be considered cautiously in communication with families of differing cultural backgrounds.
People from different cultures value space differently. In some cultures it is considered inappropriate for people to stand very close to each other while talking, whereas in other cultures it is acceptable to keep close proximity.
For example, Americans tend to require more personal space than people from other cultures. So if you try to get too close to an American during your conversation, he or she may think you are ‘in their face’ and will try to back away. Being aware of this is vital for effective communication.
Rules for touching others vary from culture to culture. In Hispanic cultures, two people engaged in conversation are often observed touching and embrace each other during greeting.
In other cultures, people are more restrained in their greetings. In the Asian culture, for example, it is not customary to shake hands with individuals of the opposite sex.
Among African-Americans it is customary for the listener to avert the eyes, whereas Euro-Americans prefer to make direct eye contact while listening. Among Hispanics, avoidance of direct eye contact is sometimes seen as a sign of attentiveness and respect, while sustained direct eye contact may be interpreted as a challenge to authority.
The motto ‘business before pleasure’ reflects the ‘one activity at a time’ philosophy of US mainstream culture. Others, such as the European culture, are more polychromic; that is, people typically handle several activities at the same time.
Before getting down to business, Hispanics generally exchange lengthy greetings, pleasantries, and talk about many other things completely unrelated to the business at hand. Social interactions may continue to be interwoven throughout the conversation.
Other cultures such as the Nordic ones are more direct in their interactions.
Provide parents with informa-tion. Much of the need for information can be satisfied through routine meetings, conferences, and seminars.
Parents of culturally diverse backgrounds may need help in understanding the basic principles of Maltese law, especially laws directly related to the education of their children. This includes their own rights and responsibilities.
Support parents as they learn how to participate in the Maltese educational system. Schools must make a genuine commitment to consider parents as partners in their children’s education. Professionals attempting to work and communicate with parents should be prepared to support the parents’ rights and responsibilities.
In essence, professionals should adopt the role of advocate for the host culture. Parents from culturally diverse backgrounds should be encouraged to join parent organisations and share their cultural points of view.
Using these guidelines for communication, teachers and other school professionals can assist parents of culturally diverse children not only to combat feelings of isolation, but also to achieve a sense of belonging.
Mr Vassallo is a visiting lecturer at the University of Malta and a multicultural trainer.