One of the main aspects of diversity that need to be highlighted first and foremost is the fact that it is intertwined with a variety of languages. This is not to discredit the other factors that serve to embolden the notion of variety such as attire, music, food, traditions and physical appearance characteristics, but language definitely takes a special place as the code that paves the path to true cultural distinctness.
The following charts show a global analysis of the levels of ethnic homogeneity/diversity as well as the Greenberg Language Diversity Index. There appears to be a great sense of correlation between the nations that both have a dark green color on the homogeneity/diversity chart as well as a dark blue (indigo) color on the Greenberg Index. Interestingly, Korea falls into neither of these categories, falling far from the mark of what would deemed to be even average on the scale. So, where does this leave us as teachers who hail from seven nations where ethnic diversity is far greater than that of South Korea in all instances? What are the implications for international students who come to pursue their undergraduate or graduate studies here and would like to express their individuality and uniqueness in a culturally homogenous society by and large?
Further, how much pressure do you feel as a teacher to relinquish those aspects that make you unique and different in order to fit into the expectations that Korean society has about what constitutes a “good teacher”? Shouldn’t it suffice that your unique accent, terminology, diction and style of teaching edifies English education as a whole as opposed to being molded and shaped into some generic one-size-fits-all approach? How many of you can relate to not having your personal identity as a teacher acknowledged by others who wish to shape and mold you into what they deem fit to be a professional teacher, without considering your personality, history and culture? Paradoxically, how has the culture shock of living in an Asian country emboldened your own personal diversity index, despite the relative cultural homogeneity of the society that you now belong to? I invite you to share your experiences and perspective on the matter.
