Worldly Teachers - Cultural Learning and Pedagogy

The stories of six veteran U.S. teachers who have studied about, taught, and lived in Japan and China show that intensive international experience can profoundly affect a teacher's life and work. Reflections about culture shock, friendships across borders, fundamental transformation and school reform recommendations are integrated with wonderfully creative pedagogies.

Six U.S. teachers who lived and taught in Japan and China tell their stories with introspection and enthusiasm. Their experiences improved their teaching and contributed to their cultural awareness and empathy. How these teachers contribute to classroom practice abroad, how they develop personal friendships with their Chinese and Japanese hosts and colleagues, and how they begin to change their school environments upon returning to the U.S. clearly demonstrates the tremendous effects of their international experience.

Frank portrayals of some of their difficult living conditions and reactions to culture shock caution those who would try this life and teaching adventure without adequate preparation. The book concludes with specific recommendations on preparation for such an experience.

List of contents

Introduction
Crossing Borders: Opening Minds
Voice and Relationships
The Person, The Life: Why Go?
Creative Classrooms
"Only Connect"
Strangers in Strange Lands
Coming Home
Different as Teachers
Transformation
Reform
Recommendations
Appendix: Recommendations Summary
Bibliography
Index

About the author

Martha H. Germain

Product details

• Authors: Martha Germain, Martha Hawkes Germain
• Publisher: Bloomsbury
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 28.10.1998
• EAN: 9780897895729
• ISBN: 978-0-89789-572-9
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Education > School education, didactics, methodology; USA, Japan, China, Cultural Studies, EDUCATION / Philosophy, Theory & Social Aspects, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Anthropology / Cultural & Social, Teaching skills and techniques, United States of America, USA, Philosophy & theory of education, Teaching skills & techniques, Philosophy and theory of education, EDUCATION / Teaching / Methods & Strategies, Current Events and Issues: Education