10/26/21; Week 6: Response to Personal Space Differences

Personal space needs may vary from one person to another depending on how everyone has lived. It is not the same for people coming from crowded cities or villages than for those who were raised in the countryside. Even those coming from a numerous family may manifest different space demands than those who pertain to a small family group. However, in every case every person has his own unique space demands, and teachers should identify and make sure those needs are met and respected.

This is especially paramount in a multicultural classroom setting, with people coming from so many different places. It is not the same for students from Japan with little personal space demands than for students coming from the United States or England. Every culture has its conventions on this matter, besides of those situations where exceptions can be made. E.g., in a public transportation or an elevator where the space available is reduced, and we need to share it tightly. Even in such situations there are not written rules about how to behave to show respect towards others. Therefore, knowing our students’ origins and cultural traditions related to personal space needs surely will avoid misunderstandings and misinterpretations of teachers or students’ manners. In my opinion, it is something to not underestimate since people could really misjudge our careful attitudes and attribute them to any obscure intention, and we do not want to face that situation for sure.

We all are equipped with a sense of protection linked to our personal space. We only allow our affections and people we trust on to get into it, and we feel invaded for strangers surpassing this limit. Usually, students trust on their teachers because they expect only good things from them. However, never forget to keep a convenient distance to make sure they feel safe and comfortable with you, no matter how close and positive your teacher-student relationship is. Sadly, we live in a world where bad things happen, and great damage is caused. For this reason, people sometimes may overreact or misjudge others’ intentions; obviously, we cannot blame them, but comprehend these reactions and their origin.

To conclude, personal space needs vary from one person to another, and from one culture to another.
However, everybody has his or her own limits where they can feel safe and protected. To avoid invading your students’ secure space, make sure you and the rest of the group keep a proper distance when talking to each other, when working in pairs, or when they reach you for help. Having these limits will create a proper learning environment in your classroom, and it will become a refuge for everyone in it, including you.