Response to: Are the Culture Differences Concerning Time notable between monochronic and polychronic culture?

5/18/22 Week 5:

 Response to:  Are the Culture Differences Concerning Time notable between monochronic and polychronic culture? 

According to the argument of Brother Ivers (teacher in a BYU Idaho) based on the analysis of the exponentiation of Edward T.  Hall, about the conceptual difference between Monochronic and polychronic culture, the first has more focus on schedule and time than relationships, and the second is the opposite. This topic is changing my perceptions and thoughts in my preparation to teach, I am a Latin American immigrant and English is my second language, and I know the difference between North America (monochronic) and Latin American (polychromic) cultures with the time because the more relevant in Latin culture is preserve family and friend relationships, is not important if you arrived late or you are not in the house waiting for someone that you said I can receive you at such hour if present another priority, the person leaves and is not considered unrespectful. If that pas in North America or another monochronic culture is an offense.

But in my concept, that situation is a challenge for TESOL teachers, only when students learning a language have well-entrenched their polychronic culture, but also for the student is a challenge. I remember a situation in English class at Adult School in South Carolina, the schedule to class was from 5 pm to 8:30 pm, A student from Center America arrived in class 15 minutes late three times a week, and also interrupted the class talking with the other students, the teacher this time said: You can enter in silence, and I can explain in the break what part you lost of the class, it's better to arrive early, remember the school’s rule. The student's answer was:" The important is I am here, and it’s only 15 minutes”; the teacher was serious and said: Well, you need to explain to the coordinator because the faces recognition clock at the entrance, where the register you report automatically. It's a real example of cross-culture Monochronic and Polychronic. We will have situations like that, what are you going to do future English TESOL teacher?.

In my case, I am from Polychronic culture, but I don’t have that custom, I received a different formation, I was military, and my adaptation to the Monochronic North American culture was normal; of course, each student has a different process; and also, is important that TESOL teacher teach, explain and give good support; and the students have a responsibility too: Apply and respect the rules received, it's teamwork of teachers and students for achieving connect the two cultures.