A Cross-cultural Study On Role Relationship Between Teachers And Students In Teaching Chinese As A Foreign Language

The teacher-student relationship is the most basic interpersonal relationship inteaching process and the communication between teachers and students takes up the bulkof classroom activity. In the process of teaching Chinese as a foreign language,communication between teachers and students is conducted in a cross-cultural context.Maintaining good relationships between teachers and students can smooth anycross-cultural conflicts that arise and ensure the teaching objectives are met. Furthermore,by conceptualizing the teacher-student relationship in light of the "role" theory ofcross-cultural communication, the shift in expectations and behavior of both sides allowfor vast improvement in communication to be realized.In comparing and analyzing the teacher-student dynamic in both China and abroad,many differences can be seen in stark relief. Whereas in China this relationship is oftendefined by clear rank, a one-way discourse, and orderliness, education in the West haslargely evolved to embody instability, equality and interaction. Consequently, therelationship between teachers and students in a Chinese learning classroom requires athoughtful balance of sometimes opposite cultural sensibilities. In fact, in such a setting,both teachers and students place many roles on themselves since cross-culturalcommunication occurs throughout the course introduction, teacher’s instructions, students’practice, and review and assessment. Drawing on these four areas, challenges can beobserved as the role of teacher and students are constantly being negotiated and roleexpectations correspondingly adjust.Under the sweeping tide of globalization, the Chinese teacher will play additional,new roles, such as learner, researcher, and innovator, while the students will become thecultural envoy and local teacher. This interactive and developing model of theteacher-student relationships will continue to draw a lot of attention going forward especially as increasing forces of internationalization bring disparate people togetherlonging to become familiar with each other’s customs and language.