Diversity

16/5/2023

‘Diversity doesn’t look like anyone. It looks like everyone.’ (Karen Draper)

An English guy from the UK in Germany… working alongside Mexican and Romanian English teachers to teach English to German students… whilst supporting a Liberian student to learn German… and alongside a German Mathematics teacher to introduce German students to Philippines language and culture... whilst supporting Iranian refugees with coaching. It’s an incredible privilege to be here.

Every day brings new surprises. Today, I chatted with a German teacher… with an Arabic name... who sits quietly in the staff room yet spends her free time doing extreme caving and travelling to different countries around the world. I had another surprise when I shared some videos of Filipino jungle children, dancing, with two groups of German students. They spontaneously leapt up from their seats to join in.

When I asked these students if any could speak another language, I was amazed by the range of their responses: Czech, Italian, Spanish, Greek, Russian, Turkish, Ukrainian. It reminded me of the power and potential of diversity, where young people see beyond national boundaries, see each other as individuals that transcend different languages and cultures, and are truly open to something, someone, new.

14 Comments

Alex

16/5/2023 04:56:55 pm

What a beautiful description of such a rich and colourful context. You mention the inspiration of young people who see the world in its diversity as such a valuable thing, although I’m not sure how much that perspective is uniquely a thing of the young. I can think of some older people who see diversity in the same way, and some young people who don’t. So maybe it can be learned. As I’m about to run a day on living peaceably with difference, I’m sincerely hoping it can!
Thanks Nick for yet another moving and thought provoking reflection.

Nick Wright

16/5/2023 07:25:59 pm

Thank you, Alex, for such heart warming feedback. Yes, it's true that such perspectives are not only (and not always) held by young people. Having said that, young people today have unparalleled direct access to other young people across the world via social media, online computer games etc. They meet other young people from diverse languages and cultural backgrounds via shared interests.

I have been stunned by how many young children I've met in Germany over the past couple of years who speak English naturally and confidently.

When I ask them how they can understand and speak so fluently at such a young age, they almost invariably respond that it's by chatting with other young people on computer games. It's amazing how technology has created such diverse opportunities for people to build relationships across geographical and cultural boundaries.

Steve Parkin

17/5/2023 11:34:15 am

Woah Nick - how many languages do you speak??

17/5/2023 11:38:09 am

Hi Steve. Only English and basic conversational German. I can also speak a few words from lots of other languages in the world...badly. ;)

17/5/2023 11:39:14 am

So how do you teach English to other people if you can't speak their language?

17/5/2023 11:46:54 am

Hi Steve. That's a good question. In the early stages, if the other person or group doesn't know any English at all, I use a lot of facial expressions, gestures, sign language, pointing to objects etc.

One of the skills is to use minimal words at that stage, rather than lots of spoken explanation that can simply confuse.

I also trained as a TESOL tutor - and that certainly expanded my own range of insights, ideas and skills. To be honest, a lot of the time, it's a process of experimentation and learning. On that theme, these short related pieces may be of interest?

https://www.nick-wright.com/blog/teacher
https://www.nick-wright.com/blog/the-silent-way

Melanie Farnworth

17/5/2023 11:49:03 am

I want your job, Nick!! :)

17/5/2023 12:27:32 pm

H Melanie. Yes, I'm grateful to God for these amazing opportunities. My work in Germany is largely 'extra-curricular'. An incredibly kind Christian couple, who are highly active in supporting the poor and vulnerable, have provided me with free accommodation for 2 months so that I can do this volunteer work in the spaces around my normal work. It's also a great opportunity to practise my German. :)

Liz Tierney

17/5/2023 12:32:07 pm

Hello Nick. I like how you always see positives in diversity. It's a message of hope in a world of polarities that is tearing itself apart. We need less walls and more bridges.

17/5/2023 12:42:26 pm

Thank you for your encouraging feedback, Liz. I agree with your reflections on polarisation, walls and bridges. Perhaps it's one of he potential consequences of globalisation and technology, where people with different beliefs, values and cultures come into direct contact with each other - and lack the interest, motivation or ability to see beyond conflicting differences or navigate their way through them.

Personally-speaking, I think I've always been attracted to and intrigued by difference. In that sense, perhaps for me it's as much a disposition as a choice? I've also had the immense privilege of friendships and positive working relationships with people in and from so many different languages, cultures and countries throughout my life. I think that can make a very positive difference too.

In case of broader interest on this theme: https://www.nick-wright.com/blog/difference

Hans Vogel

17/5/2023 01:01:12 pm

You should be honest, Nick Wright. Religious people always cause division.

17/5/2023 01:04:25 pm

Hi Hans. That's a big issue and begs lots of important questions. To be honest, I've never had much interest in religion. I try to follow Jesus.

Arman Ghomghaleh

18/5/2023 11:47:14 pm

Hi Nick,
You mention good example for diversity, I agree with you. I think if we respect and use diversity in every society we can have better world and the world is a nice place with our differences.🙂

19/5/2023 01:24:54 pm

Thank you, Arman. I agree - and well said! ☀️🙏🌈

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