ELL Students Reflecting Aspects of their Culture

Throughout the course of the experience with my ELL placement, I have noticed a few cultural customs of Nepal be reflected through my placements manner. Each time we meet up for tutoring, we exchange greetings and farewells that consist of a firm-proper handshake and S. also gives me a subtle head bow, something that is an integral part to Nepali culture. Younger people in or from Nepal often view anyone older or more mature with great respect, even a westerner like myself. I may be only two years older than S., but due to his cultural background, he naturally treats me with similar respect as he would treat a teacher. Another custom from Nepal that S. still carries with him is their cultural unawareness for punctuality. S. has shown up to our tutoring meetings late each time, but for Nepali standards, he would not necessarily be tardy. Nepali time, in regards to casual appointments, is later than the time mentioned, perhaps maybe even by one to two hours. S.'s teachers informed me that he is often late before I met him, but they also mentioned that he has improved greatly as of late. As a future educator, it is important to take in account students prior cultures and the differences that it may pose to western culture. It is imperative to note that certain cultural aspects are rooted in who they are, and it is up to us educators to still reach these students, even though certain cultural customs may not be parallel with one another.

https://www.roughguides.com/destinations/asia/nepal/culture-and-etiquette/
http://www.everyculture.com/Ma-Ni/Nepal.html