Abstract
This chapter delves into the interwoven factors that come into play in mentoring interactions by examining miscommunications between mentors and mentees. An analysis of one miscommunication between an American mentor and a group of Chinese teachers of English begins by highlighting a universal desire to collaborate harmoniously and then unravels a number of cultural to personal factors that contributed to the disharmony. Although the miscommunication took place in China between an American mentor and Chinese teachers, other cases are used to show how the analyses could be applied in other settings with different individuals. The chapter concludes with implications and reflective tasks intended to help mentors untangle the web of factors they may face in their particular settings.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Similar content being viewed by others
Notes
- 1.
Some details have been changed in order to protect the privacy of mentor and teachers.
- 2.
Throughout this chapter, the American is referred to as the ‘mentor’, the Chinese teachers as the ‘teachers’, and their collaborators as ‘colleagues’.
References
Bailey, K. (2006). Language teacher supervision: A case-based approach. Cambridge University Press.
Bleak, K., & Batavia, L. (2019). Imposter syndrome in teaching future teachers: From doubting to assuming mentorship in the affinity space of practicum. In A. Markelz (Ed.), Unmask Your Potential. Proceedings of the TED 2019 Conference; 5–8 November, New Orleans, LA. Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children, pp. 82–86.
Bowe, H., Martin, K., & Manns, H. (2014). Communication across cultures: Mutual understanding in a global world. Cambridge University Press.
Çomoğlu, İ, & Dikilitaş, K. (2020). Learning to become an English language teacher: Navigating the self through peer practicum. Australian Journal of Teacher Education, 45(8), 23–40.
Han, J., & Han, Y. (2019). Cultural concepts as powerful theoretical tools: Chinese teachers’ perceptions of their relationship with students in a cross-cultural context. International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning, 13(1): article 8 https://doi.org/10.20429/ijsotl.2019.130108
Hofstede, G., Hofstede, G. J., & Minkov, M. (2010). Cultures and organizations: Software of the mind. McGraw Hill.
Kamhi-Stein, L. D. (2009). Teacher preparation and nonnative English-speaking educators. In A. Burns & J. C. Richards (Eds.), Cambridge guide to second language teacher education (pp. 91–101). Cambridge University Press.
Monaghan, L., Goodman, J. E., & Meta Robinson, J. (Eds.). (2012). A cultural approach to interpersonal communication: Essential readings. Wiley-Blackwell.
Nguyen, H. T. M. (2017). Models of mentoring in language teacher education. Springer International Publishing.
Orland-Barak, L., & Yinon, H. (2005). Sometimes a novice and sometimes an expert: Mentors’ professional expertise as revealed through their stories of critical incidents. Oxford Review of Education, 31(4), 557–578.
Randall, M., & Thornton, B. (2001). Advising and supporting teachers. Cambridge University Press.
Smith, M. K., & Lewis, M. (2018). Supporting the professional development of English language teachers: Facilitative mentoring. Routledge.
Storti, C. (2017). Understanding the world’s cultures. Intercultural Press.
Yuan, R., & Lee, I. (2016). ‘I need to be strong and competent’: A narrative inquiry of a student-teacher’s emotions and identities in teaching practicum. Teachers and Teaching, 22(7), 819–841. https://doi.org/10.1080/13540602.2016.1185819
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2022 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Smith, M.K., Lewis, M. (2022). Is It Cultural or Personal?: Exploring Interwoven Factors Influencing Mentoring Conversations. In: Wyatt, M., Dikilitaş, K. (eds) International Perspectives on Mentoring in English Language Education. International Perspectives on English Language Teaching. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-99261-3_10
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-99261-3_10
Published:
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-99260-6
Online ISBN: 978-3-030-99261-3
eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)