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Reflective Practice: Diversity

Title of Evidence: Conversation Partner Experience

Date Created: 6 October 2003

Course Created In: Social Work 220

Introduction and Reflection: The conversation partner experience was established to provide the class with a personal experience of facing cultural differences and learning how to interact with one another. Cultural barriers were examined and the frailty of sole reliance on verbal communication was examined. The program required each student to meet with his/her “conversation partner(s)” at least once a week for one hour or more.

Interpretations and Reflection: This assignment was incredibly beneficial to me in that I was provided with an opportunity to expand and reflect upon cultural differences. Admittedly, I was first very skeptical about this assignment and pondered whether the cultural differences were simply too great. Simply stated, I felt intimidated. My “partner” knew very little English was not prepared to think of several different ways to communicate the same idea so that it may be more clearly interpreted. I quickly became aware of the difficulty others have fitting in with American Culture and trying to learn slang on top of basic English. Through this experience, I gained confidence in breaking down cultural barriers and expanding on personal growth. I learned that it is entirely possible to gain friends without using one language as a main communicational tool. Moreover, I feel that I was provided a hands-on-experience that helped better prepare me for a classroom with students who are Limited English Proficient (LEP).

References:
Peters, E.L. (2003). Conversation partner experience . Explanatory caption page.

Teacher Education Professional Portfolio.