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10/21/19; Week 6: Response to "Differences in Emotional Expressivity

In my TESOL 103 class today I am learning "Differences in Emotional Expressivity" Let me quote a phrase from Professor Ivers (BYUI, Differences in Emotional Expressivity) He says " Emotional expressivity is one of the things that are more easily misunderstood than many other things in cross-cultural differences. It's very, very easy to interpret different ranges-to to misinterpret different ranges of emotional expressivity."

Emotional Expressivity allows the individual to communicate emotional states through nonverbal movements and gestures. Unfortunately, its concept differs between different cultures. For example, I come from a culture where greeting with a kiss on the cheek is completely normal. Both men and women. I have so many experiences to share on this subject, but I am going to refer to one that really ended up being a blessing in my life. When I arrived in the United States, my 5-year-old daughter began her primary studies, and to my great surprise, the school where she would attend had the Spanish Dual Immersion program. Well, I volunteered to help in her kindergarten class. I remember meeting a very cheerful and talkative American teacher. When she showed up I approached her and kissed her cheek and said: "Nice to meet you, I like you very much!" Wow! the astonished face I saw in her I will never forget! 

What for me was something totally normal, for her it was something unusual. Obviously, I gave up the affectionate greeting and chose to give him some of my most beautiful smiles. Over time I had the blessing of being hired by the school to help in the one-on-one program, thanks to this wonderful teacher who loved my way to teach and interact with students. Then, she sent me to take some classes and finally called me to be her assistant in her classroom, and guess what? Every morning she greeted me with a kiss on the cheek and told me how much she loved me and how grateful she felt working with me.

I think both learned the "high tolerant expressivity" and "these ranges of tolerances, as well as other cultural things, are passed down from generation to generation...and it's very hard to change these things. Especially when people stay in the same culture all their lives"

In our ESL classroom every year we have a party celebrating "Cultural Day" Students share typical foods from their countries, customs, and some of them come dressed in something that represents them. I think it is an interesting and motivating way to interact and learn from each student and their culture. I recommend it!