Addressing Cultural Challenges of Teaching English to Chinese Students for Beginning ESL Instructors

Abstract

Teaching English to students from an Asian cultural background presents unique challenges. This article uses the author’s experience of studying and teaching in China and working with Asian students in a multicultural context in the USA to identify persistent challenges, share the reasons that she believes are behind these challenges and offer practical solutions that instructors can use in their classroom today. Although the focus is primarily on Chinese students, the information might also be useful for ESL teachers working with other Asian learners. This article brings to attention cultural aspects rather than linguistic aspects.