CIEP CLASSROOM CULTURE AND STUDENT/TEACHER RELATIONSHIPS IN THE U.S.
The CIEP has students coming from many different cultures. Sometimes it is difficult to know what teachers are expecting and what your role as a student is. Here is some specific advice about professional, respectful, and appropriate behavior in the U.S. classroom. In a U.S. classroom, professional, respectful, and appropriate student behavior looks like this:
1. Students come to class on time.
2. Students come to class prepared.
3. Students focus on the class (and not on their cellphones) during class time.
4. Students ask questions in class that are related to what the class session is about. If a student has other questions, the student may talk with the teacher before or after class, or may set up an appointment with the teacher for another day.
5. Students understand the obligations teachers have to ALL students in the class during class time.
6. Students do not invite a teacher to dinner alone. Students as a group may invite a teacher to dinner or for a cup of coffee. Students may invite a teacher to dinner with the student’s family or host family.
7. Teachers in the US may seem very friendly. This informality is meant to encourage students as languagelearners. Teachers may think very highly of their students but they know that their students are in the class to learn. The relationship is professional.
8. Students may sometimes be disappointed or angry with themselves or with their teachers. Usually this happens after a test. Students can arrange a time outside of class to talk with their teacher. Students may also talk with the Academic Advisor or the Campus Director.
9. Students do not generally give their teachers gifts. If they do give gifts, they are usually small items – nothing that is worth a lot of money. Often a card saying “thank you” is the best and most thoughtful gift a student can give a teacher. Often, this is most appropriate on the day of the end-of-quarter ceremony.