On a smaller scale, an interesting cultural difference that I have noticed is that students here must stand up whenever they answer a question and when a teacher enters a room. Standing up is a mark of respect. It also helps me identify students when they are speaking, given the very large class sizes here. I am in a government school where class sizes can get as large as 100+. It can be very difficult to manage. I have adjusted my teaching style to better accommodate large classes with limited resources where group work might not be as feasible. I have found that teachers are best able to foster effective learning environments if students are willing to limit their volume in the larger classes. It is only month 3 of my Fulbright experience, and I have already learned so much about teaching and adapting creatively to different challenges.
