INDIVIDUALISM VERSUS

COLLECTIVISM:
Pedagogical Activities for
Language Learner Self-
Comprehension
Personal Summary
Work:
Research Assistant at DSF
Consulting
Education:
B.A. in Linguistics at the
University of Missouri
B.A. in International Studies at
the University of Missouri
M.A. in TESOL at the University of
Missouri (estimated 2015
graduation)
Background in Spanish
Professional development Ellen@DSFConsulting.net
@EllenStreet1
Current Projects
NAFSA 2014
Meeting in the Middle: Ideas for
Professional Collaboration
Between IE Newcomers and
Hiring Managers
Ellen will be presenting at NAFSA 2014
on professional development: Meeting
in the Middle: Ideas for Professional
Collaboration between IE Newcomers
and Hiring Managers.
Life After Study Abroad
Identity During
Reverse Culture Shock
Ellen will be writing an article with
Rachel Portwood and Cate Brubaker for
Life After Study Abroad on identity
changes students have after returning
from study abroad. Well be discussing
the way to entertain both your home
and host cultures while understanding
the culture of the environment youre
physically in.
Overview
Hofstedes Cultural Dimensions
Stating the Problem with having Individualists and
Collectivists in the Classroom
Pedagogical Implications
Conclusion
2012 Census
Fairfax
County
Arlington
County
Virginia
Hispanic population 16.3% 15.4% 8.4%
Foreign born persons 29.3% 23.3% 11.1%
Language other than English spoken at
home
31.6% 28.8% 14.7%
English Language Learners have a great influence
on the Language, Culture, and Education of
northern Virginia.
HOFSTEDES CULTURAL
DIMENSIONS
Geert Hofstedes Cultural Dimensions
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20
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80
100
120
Power
Distance
Individualism Masculinity Uncertainty
Avoidance
Pragmatism Indulgence
Cultural Dimensions Five Country Comparison
United States Mexico El Salvador China Vietnam
Individualism and Collectivism Defined
Individualism= a preference for a
loosely-knit social framework in which
individuals are expected to take care of
only themselves and their immediate
families
Collectivism= represents a preference
for a tightly-knit framework in society in
which individuals can expect their
relatives or members of a particular in-
group to look after them in exchange
for unquestioning loyalty
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10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Individualism
Individualism
United States
Mexico
El Salvador
China
Vietnam
Map of Individualism Dimension
Power Distance versus Individualism
High collectivism: maintain
large power distances
(Hofstede, 2001)
Teacher is wise: one-
way communication
The collectivists natural
instinct is to agree and
learn from the wise
rather than discuss new
ideas.
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20
40
60
80
100
Power Distance Individualism
Power Distance and
Individualism Comparison
United States Mexico
El Salvador China
Vietnam
Youre probably asking
so, whats the problem?
The Pros of Collectivist Learners
More persistent in their education
More reluctant to talk about their own success
Work hard without waiting for motivational counseling
Know how today affects their achievements tomorrow
The Meaning of Education
The meaning of education changes (Hofstede, 2001)
(Komba, 1998)
Individualists learn how to learn
Collectivists acquire the customs and norms of that
society in order to function better as an in-group member
The worth of a degree (Hofstede, 2001)
Individualists increase economic worth and self-
respect
Collectivists achieve honor and entry to higher-status
groups
Meaning of Education
For the student who conceives of him- or herself as part of
a group, it is illogical to speak up without being sanctioned
by the group to do so. (Hofstede, 2001).
Students may elect not to cause conflict by appearing
smarter or superior to others in the group (Yamauchi,
1998).
Classroom Hints
The independence and success as perceived from the
individual versus the group (Hofstede, 1997)
A society's position on this dimension is reflected in
whether peoples self-image is defined in terms of I or
we. (Hofstede, 1997)
Pedagogical Ideas
The ideals of individualism (independence, personalized
goals and desire to gain self-recognition) are often
supported in learning in the US (Hwang et al., 2003)
However, text-dependent questions supported by the
Common Core will often help the collectivist learners.
Students perceive themselves to be poorer academically,
having less control, and less likely to overcome learning
barriers and succeed in attaining the educational goal they
had set for the course.
PEDAGOGICAL
IMPLICATIONS
Guiding Questions
How can teachers assist students in realizing the
differences and make the students feel comfortable in the
classroom?
What problems have you encountered in your classroom
with cultural differences? Has the individualism dynamic
come up?
Questionnaire
Survey or discussion to further understand students
educational backgrounds (Bassano, 1986)
What did you do in your previous language classes?
What did you like best? What didnt you like?
What kinds of activities were the most helpful? Least
helpful?
How were you corrected when you made errors?
What sorts of tasks were you assigned?
What was your classroom like before?
Classroom Ideas
Learning a language can start out as supporting the collectivistic ideals.
Fortunately, the English language starts out as a rhetoric exercise
and slowly needs more creativity.
For newer students, give them the ability to learn collectively while
slowly introducing the idea of individualism.
Dont ask questions that ask their opinions. This will be highly
complicated.
Collaboration: build on each others responses
Harmony: confrontations should be avoided
They dont understand why their opinions should matter: only the
teacher has complete knowledge
Classroom Lesson Plans
Explain to your students that by sharing your own thoughts
and creativity, this is the way to exist in this society.
Teach them to experience the world themselves.
Brainstorming: forces students to come up with the ideas
on their own
Journaling at the beginning of class
Parent Involvement
Collectivistic parents will think that collaboration rather
than copying direct instructions from the teacher is just
playing.
Teach your students to be independent learners while
involving the parents heavily to create the collectivistic feel.
How have you/can you involve parents so they feel a part of
the learning process?
Takeaways
Understanding individualism takes time
Teachers should keep in mind that students from
collectivistic cultures will have difficulty with opinion
questions, especially when the interaction is public.
Involving the parents can create a group feel for the learner.
Students may not feel that collaboration is important for
learning, but they will respect you as a knowledgeable
resource.
Goals
To prepare your students to succeed in the American
society
To support your students during the process of learning
through their cultural views
QUESTIONS OR STATEMENTS FOR THE
GOOD OF THE GROUP?