Cultural Shock

According to DeCapua and Wintergerst (2004) cultural shock is caused by an inability to adapt to a new culture. Cultural shock can be experienced by anyone in some degree and it is not limited to exposure to different countries. In fact, cultural shock can be experienced within one’s own country and even within one’s own familial setting. In order to overcome this challenge, people should be aware of this phenomenon.

In my country, like in the entire American continent, because of the multicultural background, cultural shock is something very common. Let me share a personal experience, to exemplify this. My mother has a germane background. Her grandparents emigrated from Germany, and the next three generation spoke only German at home. On the other hand, my father has a Spanish background, mixed with north Argentinian manners. When they got married, there were many adjustments to be done: the food preparation, the financial management, the way children should be raised, and many others. After several years of marriage, when they had negotiated each conflictive topic, my grandmother came to live with us. To aggravate the situation my mother and grandmother talked in German. Then, the cultural shock my father and grandmother had to deal with is obvious. This situation is quite familiar in Argentina, when one person with ancestors from two, three or more different countries marries another person which also has a mixed cultural background. The cultural shock this couple will encounter is inevitable.

It is true that cultural shock may be experienced in different degrees. The cultural shock experienced by someone from a different country is probably more strong that the problems within a family with different cultural backgrounds. For some people, coming from a different country, with totally different customs, values and expected social behaviour, adapting to the new culture may be an overwhelming experience and if a support system is not available, this may lead to more serious physical and psychological disorders. This includes inability to learn, to socialize, to realize one’s potential in a new environment. For language teachers who have new students in their classrooms, it is very important to be aware that some of them may be suffering from cultural shock and should be given special considerations. It is the duty of the language teacher to provide materials, teaching methods, and other techniques that would relax their students inside the classroom especially those who are unfamiliar with the classroom settings (DeCapua & Wintergerst, 2004). A good idea to help new students to overcome cultural shock is encouraging the involvement in different social groups like clubs, sports teams, artistic and theatrical productions, social concern groups, and study groups. This activities may help students to establish new relationships, that serve as a support system in the adjusting process (Winkelman, 1994).

Therefore, cultural shock may affect people anywhere, no matter the country, the language, or the age. Being aware of this process and how to manage it is very useful for people in general, and especially for English teachers that may probably encounter this many times among their students.

References

DeCapua, A. & Wintergerst, A. (2004). Crossing cultures in the language classroom. Ann Arbor, MI: Michigan University.

Winkelman, M. (1994, Nov/Dec). Cultural Shock and Adaptation. Journal of Counseling & Development, 73(2), 121-126.