Understanding cultural differences can be one of the biggest challenges in the ESL classroom. Critical incidents are one tool to help better prepare teachers. Critical incidents are short descriptions of situations where some kind of cultural misunderstanding or conflict has arisen. They are a great way to increase awareness of our own attitudes and expectations. Check out the resources below that include a number of scenarios and activities. Do them on your own or with a group of other teachers.
**Critical Incidents for Intercultural Communication from Norquest College. This resource is an entire booklet of scenarios and activities.
**Cross-Cultural Incidents and Cultural T/F quiz from the Macomb Intermediate School District
Interested in reading more on the topic? Check out our October 2013 Teaching Tip on Cultural Understanding in the Classroom.