The Journey of My Missionary Life

I found out before and on my mission that obedience is the key. I remember I worked in the Ready to Wear clothing fashion outlet store. It was one of the famous store outlets in Compostela Valley Province, Philippines. I was probably, twenty-two or twenty-three years old at that time. I had a lot of fun in my work since it was one of my passions. My favorite part of my job was putting on new fashion design dress mannequins. I also enjoyed entertaining customers and helping them meet their needs and satisfaction.

On that very day, I saw four LDS missionaries. I was amazed seeing them in one section, for maybe 15 minutes searching for what fitted them. Out of my curiosity, I walked towards them, inquiring, “what are you looking to buy?” Do you want to try our new t-shirt designs? One missionary quickly answered, “We missionaries are not allowed to wear stylish t-shirts.” Her answer made me wonder. When they left, my mind was full of questions. How could they appreciate a simple plain colored t-shirt?

 One day, when I was sitting on the sofa, my sister sat beside me and asked me questions about my plans for the future and my goals in life. She even joked about finding my eternal companion at her work. We both laughed! I answered, “I do not know yet.” The time came when I finally got a boyfriend, a worthy priesthood holder in the LDS church. He always wants to visit me and invites me to church sacraments together. While walking home on a sunny and windy day after church meetings, I noticed the hem of his garments. I asked him, “Why are you wearing a garment?” He replied, “Because I went on a mission.” I found out that he is a return missionary. We visited my mom, and I remember my mom seated on her bed inside her room. My mother allowed us to enter, and I introduced him to my mother. He sat in a separate chair. He put the pillow in his lap. Then he stood up to grab the hand of my mother. He puts it to his forehead as a sign of respect in Filipino culture. My mother unhesitatingly said, “I give you a blessing to marry my daughter.”  He looked at me for seconds and replied to my mom, “Thank you!” My cheeks blushed like cherry red!

At this point, I can see myself as Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean movie series. I can appear cowardly, funny, mysterious, and a kind lover.

One chilly, quiet night while lying on my small yet comfy bed. I tucked myself in a thin linen white cotton blanket. I can hear the crickets chirping, but the peaceful night made me pray in my mind. I communed with Heavenly Father; what lack I yet? What do I need to do? I wrestle with deep thinking to fill in the hollow pieces within me. As I was asleep, I dreamed of children singing, “Teach me to walk in the light.” When I woke up, the song kept coming back into my mind, bringing memories of my primary days.

I was not working that day. I decided to dust off the bookshelves and unintentionally grabbed the Book of Mormon. As I began wiping the dust out of the cover, it fell off my hands, and it opened to the introduction page. The floor invited me to sit down, and I found myself started reading, “It put forth the doctrine of the gospel, outlines the plan of salvation, and tells men what they must do to gain peace in this life and eternal salvation in the life to come.” It also suggests that a man must ask God through prayer to know the divinity of this book.

As I kept pondering about prayer, I wanted to escape the turmoil out of my head. So, I decided to pray. I made sure that no one was left in the house that day, and I went to my room and knelt. As I started to pray, I felt the hair of my whole body go up, and my tears kept falling uncontrollably. I felt indescribable feelings of joy and peace. It was the feeling I felt for the very first time in my life. As I stood up, my body was lighter than before. I respond to the reading and confirmation of the Holy Ghost. So, I decided to resign from my job. The owner called me and asked, “What was the matter?” She offered a salary increase to help me stay. Even so, I confidently declined the offer and said, “I would love to go on a mission.” Without hesitation, I prepared to go on a mission. I left my job, family, boyfriend, and friends.

In my mission, I found satisfaction and wholeness in life. During my mission in my first area, I was obliged to teach the First Vision by my companion, and I had only one day left. I don’t know what to do to memorize it in the Tagalog language. During those times of need, I remember the importance of the Holy Ghost and prayer. I also remember Apostle James directed that “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him (James 1:5). So, I prayed. I was comforted that the Holy Ghost helped me remember things I studied. When I started to teach the First Vision, I was surprised that I delivered it well. The Holy Ghost helped succor my challenges in my mission and enlightened my mind to learn the things that I needed in my mission. I was released as a full-time missionary with a smile on my face knowing that I did great and Heavenly Father was proud of me.

The verses in the scriptures, coupled with my experiences, proved to me that, through prayers, and obedience we could invite the guiding assurance of the Holy Ghost throughout all types of challenges, especially in decision making. It helped me choose the right and obey the will of our Heavenly Father. I conclude that the Holy Ghost guides, enlighten, and leads to all truths and understanding.

                                    In the Philippines, Should Divorce be legalized?

A divorce is an option if marriage is no longer feasible. It is a “legal action” that ends the validity of marriage “between a man and a woman” (illustrated by Cathy). Besides the Vatican, the Philippines is the only country that does not allow divorce. Lagman, a Filipino human rights lawyer, and politician in Manila Times Newsletter stated, “…that marriages are solemnized in heaven” What might happen if the marriage turns to become abusive and you began to dwell in miserable circumstances? What if unsurpassable challenges come in marriage and one of you gives up and wants to go back to his/her single life? There are many unsuccessful marriages in which couples ask for judicial separation to have a fresh start in life. Also, allowing couples to separate judicially opens an opportunity in giving abused women and their children protection and safety.

Filipino people plead to allow divorce in the Philippines and to go on with their life and find the companion with whom they will be happy to be with. Also, God wants His children to live in this world to be happy not just to be alive. Everybody wishes to have a good life. This is the result of individuals working on the different factors that would bring them to a good life which are education, profession, including marriage. In April 1996 General Conference President Hinkley, Gordon B., stated, “Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured” (Gordon B. Hinkley, Stand True and Faithful, churchofjesuschirst.org). Nevertheless, Hawkins and Booth explain on their abstract idea based from the “Survey of Families and Household” about the result of “long-term” and “low quality” of marriages explains that unsuccessful marriages who remain in the matrimony of marriage are most likely feel the sadness of life than those who choose to end their marriage and find their new companion that they please to be with. This would likely happen to everyone who has an experience with an unsuccessful marriage. They also mention that those who remain in their “unhappy marriage” got a lower level of life sufficient, self-confidence, and good health than those who got “divorce” and stay single. (Hawkins, Daliel N., and Allan Booth. “Unhappily ever after: effects of long-term, low- quality marriages on well-being” Social Forces, vol. 84, no. 1, Sept. 2005, pp. 451+. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints, gale.com)

 

Part 2

In the Philippines, Should Divorce be legalized?

There are a lot of people suffering from unhappy and abusive marriages around the country. Some Filipinos said that because divorce is not legal in the Philippines, other couples are separated and live with their new spouses and husbands, outside the bond of marriage. Manejo declared, “Divorce gives people a fresh start to lead better lives. Living in a marriage where love, respect, friendship, and compatibility are gone is a life without hope.” Furthermore, it prevents unhealthy and perilous marriage. These circumstances wherein an individual experiences conflict in a relationship which made them sad and discouraged about their union that leads them to consider divorce. However, these struggles aren’t an easy process in the Philippines because divorce is not yet legalized. Some lawyers declare, “You cannot just divorce abroad and register that divorced at the Philippine embassy to get the effect in the Philippines” (Go, Joanne and Britanico, Francesco). To remarry, free from a spousal obligation, and to be single again, you have to undergo a process. Some lawyers said to expect the following when you start this process, “Recognition of foreign Divorce is a court case, you should talk directly to your lawyer, you’ll need to file at a specific court determined by Rule Court. This process demands tedious effort which turns out to be difficult and expensive to both parties who wants to annul their marriage within the country.

Women around the country, whose marriages are unsuccessful, are wishing the divorce will be legalized in the Philippines. Most of them are abused in many forms such as sexually, physically, Mentally, and emotionally. In other words, this is domestic violence. In this crucial case, it can be considered as one of the reasons why the Philippines should legalize divorce because it’s not just the women that would be affected but also their children. Mary Pat Brygger stated that domestic abuse is said to be the reason for 25 percent to 4o percent of women filing for divorce (1). Therefore, it would ensure the safety and protection of women and their children if divorce would be allowed since they will be separated. In addition, women could get a restraining order to strengthen their protection from their abusive spouses.

 

           

Divorce gives a new beginning to a person’s life that could make them a safer and happier place. Divorce also gives women and children the right to live safely and protected. It is a tough and difficult decision to come up with because there are factors to consider and understand, Hence, divorce would be of big help to be legalized in the Philippines. Harry, Roque President of the Philippines spokesman said that the president of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte is also ‘’concerned” about the welfare of the “divorced families” children if divorce will be legalized in the country (p.1). Some researcher studies that children who grow with a divorced parent are sickly and have poor performance at school. Thomas Hansen an author, in his abstract idea explains that divorce has a harmful effect “on children” they’re likely “exposed to more conflict and acrimony than children who grew in stable marriages” (1283). This study explained that divorce can cause psychological problems for children. Studies also revealed that “parental conflict” causes stress for children because of the change in lifestyle and environmental factors. According to Manejo, an aspiring journalist of the Daily News Inquirer wrote in her essay that “This instability of the families may bring a psychological problem to children.” This is the reason why the president of the Philippines is worried about “the legalization of divorce in the Philippines.”

 

However, women around the Philippines whose marriages are unsuccessful and abusive is wishing that divorce will be legalized in the Philippines. This unsuccessful marriage couple believes that allowing divorce in the Philippines could lessen the time and could lessen the service fee of the divorce or annulment process, then they have the opportunity to be with the relationship of their choice. On May 12, 2021, Manila Bulletin gives hope to this issue, Buan, shared, ‘There are discussion on how this new ruling penned by Justice Marvic Leonen would ease the requirements to declare the nullity of marriage” (1). Some unsuccessful marriage is the cause of an unhappy and abusive relationship. Bair’s research for women around the world that was mentioned by Gail Rosenblum in his article tells that “We just didn’t have anything in common, he never showed me any affection, or a compliment or a birthday present. They just didn’t want to be a part of that relationship anymore.” Women whose marriage is unsuccessful came to a conclusion to get into divorce because of lack of “affection” and “emotional” from their husband (Rosenblum, Gail, ‘Divorce Provides a Fresh Start for women” Divorce, edited by Mike Wilson, Greenhaven Press, 2009. Opposing Viewpoints, Gale in Context: Opposing Viewpoints, link: gale.com). This research also mentioned that this scenario is also happening in men. They tend to leave their wives and find another that could make them happy. In the Philippines, divorce is an option for an unhappy and abusive marriage.

Many are longing that divorce should be an option for abusive marriages but it is not something that is not present in the county. According to Go Britanico Filipino lawyers, they handle foreign divorce cases from these countries “United Stated, California, Illinois, Texan, New York, Mississippi, Hawaii. Guam. Canada. United Kingdom, Norway, Australis. New Zealand, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Honking, and Mainland China” (Go and Britanico [Analysis] Getting a Foreign divorce recognized in the Philippines, 2021, link: rappler.com). However, Sangster claims that “divorce” in the era starts 1981 scientists make an “effort” to suppress the exponential increase of divorce in America that contributed a harmful effect in society (p.1). In the Philippines, divorce is allowed to the Muslim people in the country as part of their beliefs. But divorce is not easy as others think it must be a court case. The author explains that is a wise move to file a recognition of foreign divorce in the place where the marriage takes place, it is the ‘Rule 208” to avoid some issue, of dismissal of your court case (Go. Joanne and Britanico, Francesco. 2021). You should, find a lawyer in this matter, make sure that you found the right one, to whom you can trust with for Recognition of foreign divorce is not that easy. Yet, divorce is, not to all, just what the President of the Philippines concerns, Critics clarifies that divorce is “unconditional” they “contend” that it is written in the 1987 Philippine Constitution and that “Marriage is an inviolable social institution, is the foundation of the family and shall be protected by the State” (p.12). They explained that the Philippines is a secular state and that no religious group can break that law. This law explained that marriage is important at the very start for having a family. It allows us to feel happy with children and a husband. Yet, some couples said they suffer from the melancholic situations in staying in a cruel relationship. Sometimes divorce is an alternative solution to this situation.

 

Divorce has given me a way to have a “fresh start” and made my life out of abusive marriage. It was an experience that is unforgettable since it affects not just my wholeness as a person but also affects my child. My experience with my abusive husband pushes me to consider divorce in Japan for the welfare of my family.  After our legal separation, freedom has come in my life and eventually brought me to a blissful being with my precious child.  It enables me to live without his presence anymore and over time, my child got better in terms of his socialization and performance in school. With these experiences, I have come to the understanding that divorce could be a great help for those who experience such life events, especially in the Philippines where divorce is not yet legalized.

 

Part 3

 Divorce might seem helpful and beneficial to many people with unsuccessful marriages. However, it also has disadvantages and harmful effects on individuals and their children. This legal separation would be difficult for a third-world country, especially the Philippines to consider and legalize divorce since it will be too expensive for most citizens and many could not afford the expenses. Also, if parental divorce is exposed to children, they would experience emotional anxiety and distress which could lead to negative outcomes during and after the separation.

 

            The President of the Philippines mentioned that he is not in favor of divorce because of certain reasons and circumstances. The citizens in the Philippines are also aware that the country is still a developing country compared to other countries. Implementing a divorce bill may seem to give people who have an unsuccessful marriage a gateway. Could everyone, who is interested in divorce, really cover all the expenses that divorce requires? Maybe those rich individuals could afford but considering it is a third-world country, it might be difficult and impossible for them to avail and utilize if divorce is approved and implemented. While many think divorce is not necessary with foreign divorce recognition or annulment, those processes are long, costly, and hard.  In the Philippines, some separated couples shared that they have a hard time processing their annulment or legal separation because it took one to two years to be approved and it’s really expensive. The authors reveal that filing an annulment or Recognition of Foreign divorce can cost approximately Three hundred thousand pesos ($6,000) up to “six hundred thousand” pesos ($12,000), together with the “professional fee” (The Law office of De Borja, Lamorena, Duano, Navarro).  De Borja and Navarro point out also that the divorced are not really absent in the Philippines, Muslims allow divorce under “Sharia Law” also recognition of foreign divorce is also acceptable if one of the parties is a Filipino citizen and the other half is a foreigner under the Family Code of the Philippines, however, they still need to undergo the process of filing of the annulment, for divorce is not allowed in the Philippines except for the Muslim” (The Law office of De Borja, Lamorena, Duano, Navarro). Despite there being a foreign divorce recognition, Muslim divorce, and annulment. How about the non-Muslim citizens in the Philippines? Considering the fact that 80% of the Filipinos are Christians. Thus, divorce in the Philippines is difficult and expensive by many people.

            Aside from divorce being an expensive one, it has also a great effect on one's family, especially the couple’s children. It gives great stress and anxiety to them and increases the risk of having negative behavior or habits during and after the separation. Morin, the Editor-in-Chief of Very Well Mind a psychotherapist international bestselling author emphasize, “While divorce is stressful for all children, some kids rebound faster than others” (p.1) Therefore, children will be greatly affected if couples would consider divorce if it is implemented and approved in the Philippines.

 

            In conclusion, divorce would be difficult to imply because it has disadvantages and negative effects not only for the fact that it has an expensive process but also for the being of one’s family. People should not consider divorce as an option to give a solution to an unhappy and abusive marriage because there’s a lot of option to consider to solve for having an unsuccessful marriage. People should be aware that these negative effects brought by divorce won’t make life easy and it could bring long-term distress to everybody, especially to children.

 

Works cited

Lagman, Edcel C, “Reinstitute Absolute Divorce Now." The Manila Times Newsletter. 13 May 2021, https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/05/13/opinion/columnists/reinstitute-absolute-

            divorce-now/872763    

"Why Divorce Is Bad." Family in Society: Essential Primary Sources, edited by K. Lee Lerner, et al., Gale, 2006, pp. 49-52. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints, link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX2688300032/OVIC?u=byuidaho&sid=bookmark-OVIC&xid=e30796f2. Accessed 1 Nov. 2021

Hanson, Thomas L. "Does parental conflict explain why divorce is negatively associated with child welfare?" Social Forces, vol. 77, no. 4, June 1999, pp. 1283+. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A55438296/OVIC?u=byuidaho&sid=bookmark-OVIC&xid=ad868900. Accessed 1 Nov. 2021  

Rosenblum, Gail. "Divorce Provides a Fresh Start for Women." Divorce, edited by Mike Wilson, Greenhaven Press, 2009. Opposing Viewpoints. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints, link.gale.com/apps/doc/EJ3010571224/OVIC?u=byuidaho&sid=bookmark-OVIC&xid=6ec62f56. Accessed 1 Nov. 2021. Originally published as "A Different Divorce; Women Who Walk," Star Tribune, 2 Apr. 2007.

De Borja Lamorena and Duano Navarro “New and Updated Five Top FAQ about Annulment in the Philippines.” February 25, 2021, Link: https://deborjalaw.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-annulment-in-the-philippines

Joanne Go and Francesco Britanico, [ANALYSIS] Getting a foreign divorce recognized in the Philippines, Jun, 2021, Link: https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/analysis-getting-foreign-divorce-recognized-philippines

Manejo, Gecelle C. “Legalization of the Divorce law in the Philippines.” “Divorce-essay-

paper.docx,” Daily News Inquirer, Course Hero.

 https://www.coursehero.com/u/file/70883530/Divorce-essay-paperdocx/?

            justUnlocked=1#related

BRYGGER, MARY PAT. “Domestic Violence: The Dark Side of Divorce.” Family Advocate, vol. 13, no. 1, American Bar Association, 1990, pp. 48–51, http://www.jstor.org/stable/25804911.

 

 

Morin, Amy “The Psychological Effects of Divorce on Children” Medically reviewed by 

Carly Snyder, MD, February 21, 2021

 

Link: https://www.verywellfamily.com/psychological-effects-of-divorce-on-kids-4140170

 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, “General Conference” Stand True and Faithful, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1996/04/stand-true-and-faithful?lang=eng

 

 

            

 2/17/2021

Week 7 Response to "Culture and Psychology"

2/17/2021

Week 7 Response to “Culture and Psychology”

“Whatever principle of intelligence we attain into this life it will rise with us in the resurrection and if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence through his diligence and obedience than the another, he will have so much advantage in the world to come.” Did you believe that intelligence is innate or could be obtained through diligence and obedience?  Are you belong to a fixed mindset or a growth mindset? What is the result of having a fixed mindset and growth mindset?

Presently, Scientists accept that everyone was born with a certain amount of intelligence that did not change over time. The fixed mindset is the name given by Carol Dweck, author of mindset for that belief. The idea that even though how hard you try to learn new things your intellectual ability will not change. Fixed mindset tends to view failure and success as evidence of their intelligence. The fixed mindset is unwilling to try something new. They think negativity all the time about themselves such as I can’t do that, I don’t want to be corrected, I was born this way, I am afraid to make mistakes. Feel envy for the success of others. As a consequence, a little progression can be made in any aspect of his/her life.   

However, growth mindset is the belief that our intellectual ability can grow when we persist are likely to see failure as an opportunity to learn and grow independently. They’re eager to learn new things, take new projects, learn new skills, and register for unfamiliar classes. Having a growth mindset is essential to learn and grow. A growth mindset removes restrictions for themselves. As a consequence, they always achieve great things. For instance, Lyn G. Robbins gives credit to the work of Thomas Edison he said, “With his invention of the light bulb, Thomas Edison purportedly said,” I don’t fail 1,000 times. The light bulb was an invention with 1,000 steps.” Thomas Edison never quit, never stop. He works from failure to failure until he was been successful.

Oftentimes, not only the notion of having a fixed mindset and growth mindset that can affect, the growth of any area of the students or of the individuals. It might be the results of family culture or in general the cultural psychology. Family culture is when the parents impose a rule within the family and it becomes a practice from one generation to another. For example, my grandparent taught my parents that we will speak out only if our parent permits us to start to speak, to show respect. Another example is that my parent taught us that there are a real women and real man actions differences and it is shameful not to follow. As the daughter of our parents, we need not speak louder especially to people older than us. Set down like a queen not sit down like a frog. There is no reason to fail. Be the top1 in school is the golden rule of my father. These are some of the family cultures that can affect the self-esteem of the children in which some studies believe to be the most important factor in academic success.

Cultural Psychology is the notion that because we are culturally born this way we will become this way, also known as “Culturally created ought self” for example according to brother Ivers In In his research, professor Ivers of BYU-Idaho mentioned that Asian is considered as the smart race. So, if you are not an Asian you can’t win the race. Another interesting thing is that black is more athletic than white American. Another example is that Japanese people is known in their honesty in word and did especially in a business matter. So, if you are in another culture and you do business transactions we don’t know if you are telling the truth or not like the Japanese people do. These are some of the different notions of cultural psychology.

 If we are aware of this cultural psychology, we may able to help our students respect each other. And help them understand that we are all children of our Heavenly Parents who inherited divine potential and unique talents. That knowledge and growth depend upon our obedience and diligence. In the book entitled ‘Doctrine and Covenants’ section 46:11 says, “ For all have not every gift given unto them; for there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the spirit” So, there are no innate talents or knowledge it is obtained through studying the best books with faith to our maker; Hard work, persistence, and faith are the factors that can affect us all.

 

 

2/16/2021

Week 7 Response to “Differences in Manners Blog Submission”

 “Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter what fork you use.” The question is how we can show our respect to the feelings of others when we see how rude he/she has been doing? How we can show kindness to the one who will slap the head of your son? How can you love the person that always arguing with you? These are some of the questions that we can ask either we are TESOL teachers or human beings. To understand some of the ‘Differences in Manners’ let me share with you some of my research.

Here are some of the examples of how other cultures, ethnic, diversities do things differently as their manners. Let me start in my own country the Philippines there are 134 ethnic group in the Philippines one of those is where I belong in what they called Ilonggo, Ilonggo people are loving and very soft-spoken because of that, others can’t notice if they get angry or not but if you can hear a wonderful and sarcastic response it is the sign that they’re not okay with you. In contrast, the Karay-A ethnic group if two friends meet, they insult one with another seems they quarrel with each other but the truth is they’re just a close friend and miss each other.

 According to brother Ivers a teacher at BYU-Idaho in America, In America you don’t kneel when you eat, they also place their arms and hands under the table but in other places rests arms on top of the table, extended forward. In Japan, they tend to sit down on the low tables and cushions on a tatami floor. Shoes and slippers have to be removed before stepping on tatami you don’t need to stepping, other’s cushions as an etiquette. In Japan, you need to wait for everyone before starting to eat and bring their hands together, as in prayer and say, “Itadakimasu” it shows respect and gratitude to the one who serves you food to eat. Similarly, after you finish eating, you need to say this phrase “gochiso-sama deshita” to express appreciation which means ‘thank you it was delicious.’ In Japan, they really care about how people react during mealtime. In some countries, they don’t care. In Japan, it is not good to stare at anyone, especially to women very near to them for 2-4 minutes especially turning around your seat and staring others behind you closer to their face. Unlike in Bolivia. So, when you encounter a Bolivian people and she/he will stare at you for a couple of minutes it is okay with their culture nothing bad about It. In the United States, they openly yawn, laugh, and talk without covering their mouth also in the Philippines unlike in Japan they always cover their mouth while laughing, and yawning.

One thing that the Philippines people consider that is bad- manners is tapping your sons/daughters head because they believe the head is important where the brain is present and if you tapping so strong the head of your son/daughter it will make him/her slow or unintelligent. It is also a sign of disrespect. In contrast, in Japan, if tapping heads means you love, care, and proud of what he is doing. If you are not aware of this you will probably get hurt. In Japan, they are careful in making noise to show respect to their neighbors but in the Philippines, it is okay if you will play loud music especially if they’re celebrating a birthday party it is understood to their neighbors that they are having fun.

As a TESOL teacher, you can utilize this knowledge about the ‘Differences in Manners’ in your students. You can better understand that there are inexpressive and expressive cultural differences. You can be able to have patience and tolerance towards your students.

 

 2/16/2021

Week7 Response to “Cross-Cultural Students”

 

Boyd K. Packer a member of the twelve apostles of the ‘Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ once said, “The gospel might be likened to the keyboard of the piano- a full keyboard with a selection of keys on which one who is trained can play a variety without limits: A ballad to express love, a march to rally. A melody to soothe. And a hymn to inspire: An endless variety to suit every mood and satisfy every need. How shortlisted it is, then. To choose a single key and endlessly tap out the monotony of a single note, or even two or three notes, when the full keyboard of limitless harmony can be played.” If you are an ELL teacher, it is essential for us to know the ‘Cross-Cultural Students’ behavioral traits in the classroom in order for us to understand and teach harmoniously with them. I remember what brother Ivers shared about some of the cultural differences of students that I would like to share also with you.

Brother Ivers a professor in BYU- Idaho said that the white students in the United States tend to be less expressive unless they come from New York City and if they come from the Northeastern part of the United States they are kind of expressive, very dynamic, and expressive. Students from Wyoming is also not very expressive. People from New York City and whatnot-Boston, Philadelphia, New Jersey - can be very expressive according to him. African Americans have a very expressive subculture they have high expressivity tolerance that often teachers often misunderstood them as a bad student and rude but they’re only acting in accordance with their cultural rules. So, if you have very active African students in the class, we need to realize that they’re not bad students they’re only following their paradigms of being expressive. Asian students tend to be less expressive than white students, in general, it seems this is true to my own experience when I was on my mission my American friend, tends to laugh in the solemn ceremony without hesitation, I was shocked because she didn’t feel shy to the facilitators of the program. One more thing about Asian students is that they’re not very participatory because they are less expressive especially in Japanese culture, they’re too respectful to the teachers. In the Philippines we also have high respect for the teachers we raised our hands if we want to answer or have something to ask for, we also ask permission to leave the classroom if we needed, we didn’t eat inside the classroom, we didn’t put our feet in the desk, we didn’t read magazines while the teacher is talking, we pack-up our things when we saw our teacher is already finished talking, we didn’t talk to our seatmate unlike what brother Ivers said to the American students they tend to do in opposite but it doesn’t mean they’re bad students but they also follow their paradigms.

Some of the traits of the cultural differences of the students and teachers are in the United States the teacher will ask for an apology if they’re late to the students but if the students are late, they don’t ask for an apologize this is an opposite fact in other Asian students’ culture especially in the Philippines. On the other hand, Asian students have two positive comments about the American Students first is how they treat the physically handicapped and the system of the university as a Filipino, I also admire this kind of traits that I can see not only for the American students but to all American people that I want to say thank you.

 Mrs. Rita Pierson a professional educator since 1972 said, "Teaching and learning should bring Joy" I certainly believe that if we know these cultural differences of the students in the classroom, we will be able to help students achieve their potential in a harmonious way. We will become less judgmental and more understanding teacher where love, peace, unity, and joy are present in the classroom.

 2/14/2021

 Week6 Response to “Attributional Tendencies”

 

According to BYU professor, Ivers said that the ‘Attributional tendencies refer to what do we attribute success, to what do we attribute our personal failures, to what do we attribute the successes of others, to what do we attribute the failures of others’ and has different meaning in cultural views. Let me explain by citing some example.

My stake president who interviewed me when I was released as a full-time missionary was so sad and telling me that he is not a good father because of her daughter’s who didn’t went on a mission. Another example is that when we all got baptized in the Church my younger sister was died and our friends told us that the Lord got angry with us because we change religion. In Philippine Culture if something bad happened to you after you’ve done shortcomings to others, they will consider it as a ‘Karma’ which means a curse is in you now.

 

All cultures have different ways of attributing success and failures. It could be internally or external attributions for example I get a lower score in the class, then I will internally be attributing myself by saying to myself that it is my fault. In the other hand, external Attributional tendencies refer to what do we attribute success, to what do we attribute our personal failures, to what do we attribute the successes of others, to what do we attribute the failures of others.

Attributional tendencies refer to what do we attribute success, to what do we attribute our personal failures, to what do we attribute the successes of others, to what do we attribute the failures of others. Attributional tendencies refer to what do we attribute success, to what do we attribute our personal failures, to what do we attribute the successes of others, to what do we attribute the failures of others. Extenal attribunal tendencies for example is when others can get a good job and they will be taking at my back saying because the manager is his uncle their family are there that’s why they got a good position easily.

Whether it is internal or external attribunal tendencies we must always be watchful in our judgement instead let us pray for them. Let us open our heart and mind the truth that we are all God’s children.

 

 

 2/14/2021

Week 6 Response to “Personal Space Differences”

 

Did you know that matter is anything that occupies space and has mass? And that all living things have their own spatial distances and their meaning? Let me introduce some of the geometrical measurement, meaning, and its value.

According to the resources book of the body language chapter 9, a lion raised in the remote regions of Africa may have a territorial space with a radius of 30 miles (5o kilometers) or more. All animals have their own territorial distances because of their different habitat. The same with the people the intimate zone with your spouse or lover, children, friends, parents, relatives, or pets is between 6 and 18 inches (15-45 centimeters). 18 inches and 48 inches (46cm-1.22m) is personal and the friend zone. 4 and 12 feet (i.22 – 3.6 m) distance from the stranger, plumber or carpenter, mailman, barista at Starbucks, a new employee at work.  For the public and The audience, a zone is 12 feet (3.6m). The intimate zone is between 6 and 18 inches, 15-45 cm. Americans born and raised in a city 18-48 inches (46-122 cm). 10-inch (25cm) of the intimate zone of the Japanese.

Like all animals they have their own intimate, friend, children, spouse, lover territorial distances they also respect their personal space and it’s depends upon the population of that area. Because individual animals each have their own unique preferences, personalities, history of trauma. For instance, the hen walks closer to their chicks while the roster keeps a distance far from them both. The same principle with people it depends upon the relationship, cultural background, population density where they live. In my own experience my Japanese friend tends to talk to me very near to my face I also walk backward and she walk forward to me at first, I feel awkward but later own I realized because we have a different view of personal space. Japan especially in Tokyo is sparsely populated rural areas especially in the subway it is okay to push themselves inside the train in order for them to get in because they all valued the time of their work. Here’s another example; Recently, I have a meeting together with my two Japanese friends at home they schedule at 3 o’clock pm they came at 2:30 pm we start at 2:40pm if you can see Japanese people valued the importance of time and talk with you in a near distance.  People raised in remote areas love to have larger personal space they prefer not to shake hands but rather stand at a distance and wave. In the Philippines culture, if you are only a friend, they tend to wave their hand at you as their greetings or just simply say a simple word like “good morning, good afternoon.” This lack of awareness of the differences of cultural spaces can easily lead to misconceptions and inaccurate assumptions.

President Gordon B. Hinkley was an American religious leader and author who served as the 15^th President of ‘The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints’ on March 1995 until his death in January 2008 declares,” You need to meditate and ponder, to think, to wonder.  Spend some time with yourself in introspection, in development. Life can be a great adventure