Cross-cultural competence can build over a lifetime. Born in Peru, South America, in a home of a missionary-minded couple, a pastor-evangelist and a teacher in the Peruvian Oriental cities of Yurimaguas, Tarapoto, Lamas, and Iquitos, to name a few. The people in these cities were of diverse ethnicities. Traveling on the Amazon river, or walking in the jungle for two to three days and sleeping out in the open with our heads protected under a mosquito net, or protected from the torrential rain with a huge elephant ear leaf are luxuries some of us get to enjoy when exposed to other cultures and terrains. These experiences help identify the value of people and their differences in culture.
The key to expanding knowledge is taking classes. "Global Englishes" was an interesting and insightful class that helped me perceive the importance of language and culture in the life of a human being when learning a second language; for some, oppression was part of the game to learn English. The expansion of English in the world is mind-boggling. The value of written history and being able to explore it centuries later is fascinating. Reading many articles enables the creating of images of the "supposed scenes of the people's experiences."
A breakthrough in the life of an L2 teacher happens when he or she realizes that culture and language are intertwined and without language, there is no culture. When teaching English to L2 learners, one should teach without pushing beliefs, culture, or political views on the students. This method of teaching allows students to maintain their identity without feeling ashamed of their upbringing. To accept and respect students is to welcome their ways of life and personally realize that we can always learn from others. The teacher should respect their ideologies and religious practices, not judge them because they do not believe the things we do. It is important to teach students that bilingualism is okay and having two identities is not wrong. We should encourage students that it is possible to learn another language without giving up theirs, never to be ashamed of their roots, ancestors, or race.
L2 teachers should teach stress and intonation and focus on their communicative value. Using the right stress and intonation will empower L2 learners to confront their insecurities in the learning process. L2 learners should know that having an accent is okay and nothing of which to be ashamed. On the contrary, it is a way to tell others about their roots, their history, and their culture. An accent is a form of an I.D., or badge of identification. We should allow students to be proud of their blended nationality. Having a distinctive melody when speaking the target language is acceptable, and we should not make them feel ashamed.
Being able to understand others' accents is the same as teaching our taste buds the love of international food. Being able to expose ourselves to learn the lexicon of other groups could expand our knowledge, enabling us to embrace other cultures. Metaphorically, we will be able to dance the tango and enjoy it.