I wouldn't say they're rude, either (although that's a generalized American perception; they're not rude to me because I'm a fluent French speaker); it's just that they're more formal than we are and tend to draw back when that formal space feels transgressed. I do think Americans need to be aware of that possible response and be able to interpret it. As for your Saudi Arabian, we should know to pick our battles, and this would be one of them. But he should be made aware that other cultures don't share his views and he might see things that might offend his personal sensibiities and religious beliefs, without people being intentionally offensive or insulting.
Bonnie
 Bonnie Odiorne, Ph.D. Director, Writing Center Adjunct Professor of English, French, First Year Transitions, Day Division and ADP
Post University, Waterbury, CT 




________________________________
From: Steve Kaufmann <steve at thelinguist.com>
To: The Adult English Language Learners Discussion List <englishlanguage at nifl.gov>
Sent: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 6:04:08 PM
Subject: [EnglishLanguage 4663] Re: Second vs. foreign language instruction

I like to explore the language and culture myself, and ask about things that interest me. I have had the experience of teachers telling me about things they think are important in their culture, like some summer festival, or other aspect of the culture. Usually these things are of no interest to me at all. 

I do not place much stock in socio-linguistics, which I consider just another distraction from the task of helping learners acquire a language.

Among the most popular items in our library at LIngQ are Dr. Laura's radio programs. I do not  necessarily share her views on things. I once got a complaint form one of our gay learners so I assume she is rather conservative. The point is that it is not for me to change the social or political views of our learners. 

If I have a learner from Saudi Arabia who does not think women should drive, or that we should not vote for legislators because laws come from Allah, I am not going to try to persuade him to apply critical thinking to his religious beliefs. I may discuss the point but only to force him to use the language to defend his views. I would not tell him what I really think of his religious views. I would certainly not bother him with my views about lobbyists in Washington.

I would not, Bonnie, tell French language students that the French are rude, or similar personal views. I would focus on helping them find things of interest to read and listen to about the country and region they were planning to visit.

Janet, the attitude of the learner toward the language, and the proximity of the learner's language to the language being studied, are more important than distinctions between EFL and ESL. I find appalling the degree to which people on this listserve, and other language teachers I have come across, are focused on matters that have little to do with language learning. I hang around this listserve to try to stimulate a little critical thinking, in the hope that some people might challenge the prevailing orthodoxy.

Steve





-- 
Steve Kaufmann
www.thelinguist.blogs.com
www.lingq.com
604-922-8514
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