8 Cultural Differences between Native Speakers and English Learners

Culture has a big role to play in the way we speak. It dictates not only which language we use, but also the way we express ourselves with different people. For example, how direct and honest people are generally varies by region. Because of these differences, it is just as important to master culture as it is language. This lesson will help you understand how native speakers think. You will learn how to improve your communication skills depending on whom you are speaking with no matter where you go in the world! Take the quiz on this lesson at www.engvid.com/8-cultural-diff...
TRANSCRIPT
Hmm. Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo. Hi. James from engVid. I've often said that learning language, a foreign language is great. In this case, you're learning English, so congratulations. But a lot of students, they learn the language, and they kind of forget about the culture, like it doesn't really matter. Being an English speaker, I was born in England, and the culture from England is very different from the culture from Canada, even though they are closely related. So if you can imagine the cultural difference between someone from, say, China and Canada, that would be fantastically different.
Well, as they say, as much as we're different, we're the same. But in this case, I want to do a lesson on eight differences in culture that if you're learning the language, which would be important. Now, what I've done is shown the difference between the East and the West, because frankly, you may be from the Middle East or Asia, and you want to do business with Canadians or Americans or British people, and you should see what we think are important. And as well, this helps out English-speaking people about how we should communicate with you when we're trying to teach you English. You like that? Let's go to the board.
We have Mr. E, here. He wants to eat his... Let's see. What should he eat? I'm going to suggest that he has a pizza, because that's easy to draw, and anybody who knows me knows I'm a terrible drawer. There you go. Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo. He's having a piz-... Pepperoni pizza. What would you suggest he eat with? A knife or a fork, or chopsticks? Well, it seems obvious: Use your hands. See, when you understand, you can manipulate or use things to your advantage. Let's go to the board.
We'll start out with the West, which is where we are. All right? In the West, we say "respect is earned". That means I cannot give you respect or look up to you until you have done something to show me that you deserve my respect or I should give it to you. Just because you say: "Hello, my name is" doesn't mean anything. You have to say: "Hello, my name is, and I have done these things." Because of that and if you do something that helps me, I will give you my respect. Okay? In the East, it's a little different. In the East, what we say is: "respect is due to hierarchy". Hierarchy? Well, just like the word says, think "high", okay? The higher you are-okay?-the higher position you have. So if I come in and say: "I am Generalissimo Kareer." You go: "Oh, I must give you great respect", in the East, just because I am the General. I don't have to be a good General; I just have to be a General. You must give me respect. Well, in the West, you'd have to be a good General that's done a lot of good things.
Okay, number two: open debate is encouraged. If you're going: "What is open debate?" Open debate is conversation, but it's more conversation where two ideas are conflicting or they don't go together. You think A, they think B. So you don't both agree necessarily. Maybe you think: "I don't agree with this person, or I don't like everything they say", so you have a debate, which is a conversation to try and change each other's mind. Okay? Open debate in the West is encouraged. If you don't like my idea, I'll say: "Why? What's wrong with it? Why don't you come up with something? Tell me what you think, or tell me what's wrong with my ideas." The challenge, we think, brings a greater result. In other words, if you talk to me and we have a really good open debate, things should be better at the end of the debate. Let's look at the East. In the East, open debate and confrontation is avoided. Partly, this is because in the East... Remember we talked about hierarchy? There's a level or layers? Well, if you question someone and they are on a higher level, you are not showing them the respect they deserve, so it is almost better to do your debate... Or, not even debate, but questions in a less public area. So it is not open debate; more of a private thing with you and that person, and even then, you shouldn't really question them, but ask questions of them. Okay? That's number two.
Number three, let's look at individual success and material success. In the West, they matter, it's important. Yes, who I am is important, but it's who I am, just myself. Have I done well in school? Have I made a lot of money?

[@felipesantiago6814]

First time on English class videos that I see someone showing more deep reals and important cultural differences between west and east. Very good, thanks.

[@jyotiawale2862]

Felipe Santiago l

[@nataliabesler1442]

When I met my boyfriend's friends from Turkey, they asked me thousands questions about my family: what do my parents do, where do I live, in what kind of house, if we're wealthy, if we're from higher society class... I found it very weird and embarasing, but for them it wasn't rude, it was normal...

[@yevheniyl2728]

I am impressed of James' so deep knowledge related to cultural differences. Everything what has been described fits 100%

[@lanhoa3474]

haha soo crazyy

[@hafidache5788]

This video is an very underrated and deserves more views . A lot of people should see this insightful video even if they are native speakers because it perfectly summarizes the difference in cultures and can help people minimize the cultural choc than can stem from those differences especially in work and relationships.

[@julieannlawler237]

I love this lesson. I'm glad you brought this up. I'm looking forward to watching more videos about cultural differences from you James 🙂 It's enlightening, fun and compelling.

[@fabgodoi]

I've never watched a class like that, It's really the best lesson about English that I've ever had

[@BeBeHu]

Great video! This is true! I became a lot more direct and look at fact/results rather than intentions after many years in the U.S. I debate openly more rather than stay in silence and am very punctual. Also I'm more individualism. My family in Asia think I changed a lot. Not saying it's good or bad it's just the way it is for me now...

[@Sigma-mg1of]

It's always very fun the way you start your classes. You teach with mastery. I don't miss any class of yours.

[@shahramakshay6427]

you are best english teacher that i ever had. thank you so much james. i love you man

[@janicejunio179]

i love the way you explain or teach,thank you for making this video.

[@Foxman763]

Great lesson James. :) Please do more culture related topics.

[@soygandhi2264]

Good material, thank you James. Go on, I learn too much with you!

[@anshuljain8515]

James, thanks a lot for putting up this video. I can't say I have seen all this differences as prominently as you have suggested but the one on time is a spot on observation. I was born and still live in New Delhi, India and have always strived to be punctual. I cannot express the frustration I feel towards my friends when they show up late for everything and don't even apologise. It always seems like such a disrespectful thing to not value someone else's time.

[@MaximZyatnin]

James you're so right here! I have two team mates. First one is native British and the second one is Indian. Now i understand why I see completely different outcomes from both of them after they attended the same meeting.

[@alessiacapriccioli]

The best english lesson ever. Thanks James! I hope you're good. Alessia

[@vivianmizzellms2266]

greetings from East and what your explain that's exactly great.

[@Laetii93]

Great video Again! I follow you since one year and it is always a pleasure to learn more about English language! Thanks from France

[@sinexqsa]

I'm a spanish girl and I like too much your videos. I want to improve my english and I hope to get it. Thank you.

[@Baeomran]

Thank you so much for the video! that's beautiful!! I appreciate it !! that did make a difference now and i can improve my language skills and my life.

[@Snipersounds]

GREAT video James!! Thanks for this video! Solid gold!

[@anastasyavie6236]

I think in the east, people more likely to question themselves to really understand the situation before come to open debate. When they idea clashed, both most likely to have self realization than confront the other person right away that your idea is not right. Sometimes they realize that they wrong and agree after think about it to avoid unneeded confrontation. In the other hand they also will stick to their idea if they still think it's right, that's why it's look like it's avoided, they just approach it differently.

[@farzane2606]

James you are absolutely s great teacher. You are an artist.

[@AndreLima-sk2dz]

Extraordinary lesson, thank you so much

[@aminzarei1557]

you really have your way of teaching, thx for your awesome videos

[@75440]

Great idea to speak about it! Thanks.

[@gabriela.amonteiro47]

Marvelously class, very important discuss this topics. Because I think the most part of people learn English to communicate with people around the world, so know this aspects are very relevant. Thank you teacher!

[@barbaraseagull7555]

I absolutely loved this video! I found it interesting that Russia somehow combines both models, but from my perspective, it is still closer to Eastern culture.

[@miqueiaspissinin6527]

Thank you for the lesson!

[@Momo-yl3hs]

Individualism vs collectivism

[@kasadi.k920]

Thank you James , I like it.

[@raquelparadiso939]

You're awesome! I love your lesson, thanks.

[@asselzhumabekova2007]

Wow!!! Great!!! Thank you very much! So useful video showed in so great way! I'll share the link with many friends)))

[@luanrodrigues4645]

Absolutely right! Great video!

[@vothuog]

Thank you for your time, your effort to make the world better :)

[@saglaranazarova127]

James is good teacher !!! Thanks a lot for your lessons )

[@jasonzheng2819]

Hi, James. My name is Jason, and I'm from China. I agree what you've said. Also, I really like your videos, and it improves my English.Please keep teaching me English, and you're a very good teacher! :D!

[@juliamiasoiedova5001]

It was a very interesting lesson. Thank you, James. ;-)

[@vasiakurok7287]

It is very good idea to connect such interest topic with learning English. Thank you, brother!

[@puroangolano]

Wow you’re a such good teacher...congratulations sir 👍🏽

[@fernandocortez5662]

you're amazing and the best ESL TEACHER.

[@yogawelt]

Thank you very much for your work

[@lodzianin1973]

Despite the fact that I've already seen lots of videos and have heard lots of speaches on cultural differences this here is outstanding because it's so true! I experience most of mentioned diferences having to do with my Indian partners at work. But, what's even more amazing - it appears that I'm standing almost exactly in the middle between East and West. I'm a bit surprised because I've always considered myself as an enthusiast of Western mindset which I thought was just superior to collective-based Eastern way of thinking. In this video I see some Eastern ideas which I actually judge higher than their Western counterparts. What's more, my home country (Poland) seems to really stay in the borderline between East and West. Common belief just proven...

[@tuongvy5129]

what an interesting lesson! Thanks!!

[@markslesarev5024]

thank you for this great lesson

[@owlnyc666]

What I liked about this video is that he describes the DIFFERENCES between West and East without judging which side is right or wrong. BOTH cultures have both advantages and disadvantages. 🤔😉

[@tanjazvanut3559]

An amazing lesson making a listener think...

[@alisonvaloyes4087]

you teach very well james thank you very much

[@vivianagambetta9197]

Great lesson!! Thank you

[@donnasamadashvili2027]

it is very interesting lesson, thank you very much, I am from Georgia and for me that topic was discover, yes it is true about East

[@cheng1492]

Good lesson, thanks~

[@erissanorma5891]

I'm chinese,and also lived in japan for years.and i can tell you,This is true. especially about family success ,we really care about it. If any of your family member is celebrity,or extremely successful person,then you are automatically treated as successful person.

[@saviomiguel6569]

I'm so proud of seeing a black man teaching English with such a high knowledge about the topic, I'm a black teacher as well.

[@jbyoungfr]

This video is very interesting and what you said is mostly true but it depends on country for example in Japan it is very important to be on time.On the other hand, in France often people consider it is not very important to be exactly on time except of course for a work appointment.

[@priscameleniasari7911]

I love your explanation. Thankyou

[@carolinavillalobos9367]

Thank you so much!

[@adeadasian8494]

Amazing lesson thanks a lot

[@skiperjorg6500]

Hi, James I like so much your lessons. Jorge From Brazil, I apologize for bad english. Obrigado pelas suas aulas.

[@coralsyzygy396]

Sehr gute Video! Vielen Dank 😊

[@user-yw5kv2rc1g]

Thank you very much)) really interesting)))

[@CarlosJunior-qr4eg]

Great Lesson.Thanks

[@mukhtarmuhibali7582]

Thank you. It was great

[@murillogt94]

i'm more western oh thank you james you're a great teacher, surely you did your best to get his position congrats and i admire it hahaha :)

[@Chen020686]

Классный ролик. Очень весело было смотреть. За это и нравятся уроки что не скучно.

[@romiromel3092]

didn't you know that you are the light of our eyes .Saheeh,

[@skarlethromero517]

This is a great video I would like if you JamesESL English can do a video explaining or trying to help us understand American culture I'll appreciate it

[@Yoonjiha61]

wonderful!

[@Dragonten312]

Tempted to subscribe - and I'm a native English speaker

[@sandysandy967]

Its a mix culture we possess now,as now people share so much and learn so much by net and social media.

[@littletexaswitch]

My class really enjoyed the side-by-side comparison.

[@josuevilla4425]

A million thanks :D

[@Shmasko]

Great video!

[@MALAK-dm7tp]

I enjoyed watching this.

[@franciscodavidfloresareval3624]

You are an excellent teacher

[@-noorarshad]

thank you very much🌷🌹🌷🌹

[@jabirsharif6742]

Its very useful video.Thanks

[@BishopAK]

As an asian, I can guarantee almost 90% of his explanation on east-side culture is true. But most of my friends are getting to prefer western culture. Relationship-based society is likely to give rise to some negative results... especially on politics. Anyway thanks a lot James! It has given a lot of foods for thought to me today.

[@user-fz3rv8vb4z]

love your vlog

[@alexdenis8503]

hello James! can you make lesson about using "you mention it" ?

[@denisebranquinho2377]

Wow, i loved this lesson. mainly this "chow"! in my country we say "chow"! i didn't know that native English people said "chow". Here in Brasil the things works this way, like West. thanks for this video. Chow!

[@alexanderhoward122]

+Denise Maria Branquinho It's actually Spanish "Ciao", it has became an international word.

[@denisebranquinho2377]

Alexander Howard oh great! Really cool.

[@emanuelecettul6518]

+Alexander Howard What the hell! Ciao is an italian word not spanish!!! It derives from the word "schiavo" in venetian dialect.

[@alexanderhoward122]

emanuele Cettul Oh, yes, it's Italian, not Spanish.

[@denisebranquinho2377]

Alexander Howard that is what I thought!

[@alexanderhoward122]

I like to look at things "from different angles" too, though I'm not Asian. I like also to come at it from a side. Or a little bit softer. It gives me great understanding ability, though others are often not able to understand me :-\

[@lica2897]

Thank you for the "critical thinking" lesson. I think for our culture it's even the difference between the SOVIET culture and the CULTURE.:) I'm from UKraine.

[@khalilmohammadi2217]

You allways do very good Videos

[@alexanderhoward122]

Quite good lesson! I think Western culture is closer to me than Eastern one. Though I don't know much about Japan and China. 6th - it looks more like an American thing... I think Germany is different, though German culture is considered as Western one. What cultural traits I think fit me(as a person) better: 1. Western 2. Western 3. Western 4. Western 5. Western 6. Asian 7. Asian Though it depends greatly on situation. 8. Depends on circumstances

[@Abu-Aley]

Point 2, is not completely right, and it is not totally wrong indeed. However, it is very common now to find an average employee urges his manager or any other senior figure in a meeting includes a lot of other people. It is not an entire submission as you mentioned James.

[@Nickalaich]

The eastern stuff also works well for Russia.

[@Sasha_NY]

+Дмитрий Говоров totally agree, e.g. the first item fits perfectly ))

[@oleggolubenko3278]

Yes, it is really so)

[@degnysophia77]

+Sasha 888 I think the first item not exactly concern to Russia. Hierarchy matters about politness, not about respect. I speak politly with older peaple, but it doesn't mean that I will respect them just becourse they older or higher in hierarchy. And as I see it is not just about me.

[@spacedew]

Well Russia is very much a Eurasian country.

[@shariecebrewster5962]

I am there's thank you for all your video it's help me

[@user-bo6pn9sn2f]

James, your lesson's great! Just one question if it is OK for students in the West to correct their teacher's mistakes.

[@toBe8ere]

Yes it is. In fact, it is encouraged because if the teacher makes a mistake and continues teaching like that, it could lead to the detriment of the student's education.

[@zohrehf9987]

Nice work

[@DailyPositiveShots]

lol ....very true about time point

[@crowncrown7639]

Fabulous

[@ayuobmohmand3348]

great techaer jemes

[@pichucoy]

¿Por qué vídeo comienzo a aprender en tu canal? Le podrías poner un número a los vídeos para saber el orden. Gracias y saludos amigo. What video I begin to learn in you chanel? Woud put you a number to your vídeos?

[@freesgen]

+Diagnóstico Escolar go to www.engvid.com and select for topics but in my humble opinion these videos aren't for lear since 0 or something like that is for support a previous knowledge good luck

[@pichucoy]

Jesús Guerrero Thank you my friend.

[@pichucoy]

smiling dalia Thank you very much my friend.

[@frankc.m.9874]

I like your analisis you've done. Actually, that east thinking is not only in the east side of the planet. I'm from Mexico and we have those beliefs partially. We have that individualism but at the same time we are ruled by the hierarchy.

[@hoangnhannguyen9142]

Im now a big fan of you

[@user-og8ii6bw8d]

Hi James, I'm from China and I'd like to clarify that, well, I don't like the 'relative time' either. You'd better be on time coz there might be some very important issues that you definitely don't want to miss (especially in business) . So be on time wherever you are from!:)

[@tiong7787]

About the exact time, in the east, Japan is a good model, Japanese think very highly of punctuality, I have my personal experience when I was traveling there the public transport vehicles were coming and going on time, very impressive, I think this fact is known by the world.

[@ldt8910]

i really love your lesson. thank you so much mr.james

[@junkfoodvegan6198]

If you meet s.o. from Germany, it´s better to be there 5 minutes earlier^^

[@junkfoodvegan6198]

***** ich hätte nie gedacht, dass das auf jemanden sympatisch wirken könnte, ich finde es eher ziemlich besch... I never thought someone could really see it as likable, for me it´s more a pain in the a... ;-)

[@junkfoodvegan6198]

***** ja ich bin aus Deutschland, normalerweise sagt man uns nach, dass unsere Sprache wie Hundegebell klingt xD

[@zzeytin4469]

Japanese would say 30mins to 2hours earlier

[@sophie8874]

lol

[@maocharlisme]

My preferances: 1. neither 2. West 3. East 4. East (very much!) 5. East 6. East 7. West when it comes to appliance at law and order and science and practicalities ' East when it comes to social dynamics and arts and culture 8. East (I'm absolutely not punctual) So although I'm born, raised and have always lived in the West I'm actually pretty Eastern oriented ^^p

[@Kiwinnit]

this is really interesting, I'm from the UK and never thought about the East!

[@37wuchuanpeng26]

and thats why dont trust everything in here. actually this is not 100% true