earticle

영어

As a process of exchanging information and feelings, communication plays a significant role in human life. At the same time, communication is the heart of the learning process. Through communication, people are able to teach and learn. However, communication is not free from the influence of culture. Although Korea is in a transitional Western culture, there are unique characteristics in communication patterns in Korean classroom due to the traditional Korean culture. As a high-context and collectivistic culture, Korean culture leads people to communicate in indirect, implicit ways. Also, one-sided communication is pervasive in Korean classrooms according to Confucianism. Furthermore, many Korean teachers employ authoritarian manners in teaching their students according to the Confucian mindset. These cultural characteristics of communication can be a hindrance to effective interaction between teachers and students, particularly in cross-cultural contexts. The first goal of this study is to provide Korean teachers, who will teach in other cultures, with a better understanding of their own culture and communication styles. The second goal of this study is to offer listening skills as the first step for a culturally responsive teaching. Here, the importance of listening skills for cross-cultural teaching was examined and rediscovered. Many Korean teachers exercise a one-way communication in their classrooms. They are not adequately trained for open communication. Therefore, Korean teachers need to enhance their listening skill as the key to developing a successful cross-cultural teaching. In order to learn another culture, one must build a close relationship with students in different cultures, and make a connection to their communities; listening can be the first step.