Critical friendship circles: The cultural challenge of cool feedback
Author's Department
English Language Instruction Dept (ELI)
Find in your Library
https://doi.org/10.1080/19415257.2010.537064
Document Type
Research Article
Publication Title
Professional Development in Education
Publication Date
7-1-2011
doi
10.1080/19415257.2010.537064
Abstract
A critical friend is a friend who offers critique on practice. Critical Friendship Circles (CFCs) are groups of critical friends who meet for feedback using a protocol. A study with 95 participants at an American university in Egypt has revealed challenges specific to the culture of most 'Teaching English as a Foreign Language' student-teachers. A longitudinal grounded theory study used reflective essays, surveys, focus groups and transcripts of CFC meetings as data that revealed four theoretical categories. Cultural intolerance to open negativity, fear and/or rejection of giving or receiving cool feedback, uncertainty about and neglect of the use of protocols and appropriate language, but also usefulness in terms of personal and professional growth were revealed. Professionals teaching English to speakers of other languages who are not familiar with western orientations to critique and feedback often reject CFCs from ignorance and fear. A description of the findings and the steps necessary for student-teachers from a variety of cultural backgrounds to meet the challenges is included. © 2011 International Professional Development Association (IPDA).
First Page
353
Last Page
372
Recommended Citation
APA Citation
Wachob, P.
(2011). Critical friendship circles: The cultural challenge of cool feedback. Professional Development in Education, 37(3), 353–372.
10.1080/19415257.2010.537064
https://fount.aucegypt.edu/faculty_journal_articles/869
MLA Citation
Wachob, Phyllis
"Critical friendship circles: The cultural challenge of cool feedback." Professional Development in Education, vol. 37,no. 3, 2011, pp. 353–372.
https://fount.aucegypt.edu/faculty_journal_articles/869