MORAL EDUCATION

Question 1

What is Culture?

Answer 1

The beliefs and values of a group of people.
The shared features, our customs and our traditions make our Culture.
Cultural groups share common characteristics but there are individual differences between groups too

Question 2

What is visible culture?

Answer 2

The aspects of culture that we can observe. Basically what we can see. Examples : Where people live, when and where they eat, what they do during the day?
Thing we do in our daily life, How we greet each other,
our styles of dress and eating habits.
This is what actually generally characterize a culture
( as it is easy to see and often differ ).

Question 3

What is Invisible Culture?

Answer 3

The aspects of culture that influence how people behave such as values and beliefs.
Example : A foreign student coming to your home would observe how time is viewed in your culture by noticing how people arrive at a party ( on time or few minutes late). Then, the student will notice of how much time would you and your friends be ready to wait for others and if you will think that they are acting rude by coming late. Also, by seeing you all chatting, the student can learn a lot about the listening styles in your culture. ( Would you all start speaking at once or take turns to speak).

Question 4

More about Invisible culture.

Answer 4

not immediately obvious to the naked eye, but can only be understood by observing how people behave to know how they think, what they feel or believe is good or bad.

Question 5

What is the relationship between visible and invisible

cultures?

Answer 5

Visible behaviors are influenced and are even caused by beneath the surface values.
Example : what we say or do in the presence of others
is actually the result of our idea of how we should behave on public.

Question 6

What do you mean by stereotype?

Answer 6

A fixed or overgeneralized idea of a particular type of person or thing.

Question 7

What can create stereotypes?

Answer 7

Too often, we assume or tend to over-generalize
that because someone comes from a particular place,
they will behave in a certain way. This way of thinking can create stereotypes.

Question 8

how does culture shape the way we see ourselves others and the world?

Answer 8

Our culture shapes the way we work and play, and it makes a difference in how we view ourselves and others. It affects our values—what we consider right and wrong. This is how the society we live in influences our choices. But our choices can also influence others and ultimately help shape our society.

Question 9

Why Learning About Your Culture Is Essential?

Answer 9

Learning about your own culture helps to understand someone else’s.
Keeping your language of origin alive serves more than being a creative tongue.
Knowing your history and culture helps us build a sense of pride.
Attaining and understanding that your culture is a part of your identity and personality.
Gives you Spiritual, Intellectual and Emotional distinction from others.

Question 10

Why It’s Important to Learn About Other Cultures?

Answer 10

You can understand the world better.
Being exposed to diverse cultures can help you appreciate more in life. The more you interact with people from different cultures, the more you value and respect them.
First of all, having a basic understanding of a certain culture can increase your culture sensitivity. It can help you avoid misunderstanding and embarrassment.
Secondly, learning other cultures can broaden your horizons. It is a good way to absorb new information, and view things from different perspectives. Last but not least, you probably will become more open-minded. When you make an effort to understand others, you will find it easier to respect and accept their differences.
You can learn a lot from them.

Question 11

Define creed.

Answer 11

A system of religious beliefs.

Question 12

What is a fusion nation?

Answer 12

A country where many different nationalities and ethnic communities live together side by side.

Question 13

What is the meaning of Integrate?

Answer 13

Combine one thing with another to form a whole.

Question 14

Why do you think that some people are not interested in other peoples culture?

Answer 14

They are too busy or too lazy. They are not raised with an appreciation for culture. They don’t learn about the culture in school. They’ve never experienced another culture. There are lots of reasons.
Many people are interested in other cultures, but more as a curiosity than really trying to understand other cultures. For one thing, nearly every group of people think that their religion, customs, and traditions are right and true, and other people’s are interesting but also exotic and strange. They also often believe that other people’s exotic and strange customs are wrong in some way if they contradict the values of their own beliefs. In anthropology, we call this ethnocentrism. Ethnocentrism is important for social cohesion, and any family wants to believe that the customs and traditions that they teach their children are right and true. However, this also often creates misunderstanding of other cultures who are different. It is not an easy thing to stand back and objectively evaluate a custom from another culture that strongly contrasts with values that you believe are important. Unfortunately, this often leads to intolerance and discrimination, particularly of indigenous peoples around the world whose customs are often in contrast with the dominant groups of modern nation-states.

Question 15

Define Expat.

Answer 15

An informal short form of ‘expatriate’ , a person who lives outside their country.

Question 16

Features of UAE.

Answer 16

People are more attracted to UAE because:

1. it is very easy to settle in here
2. UAE provides something to everyone regardless of their background ( American fast-food, British Universities, European stores ).
3. One of the few countries where the expats greatly outnumber the local citizens.
4. The fact that Arabic is not a compulsory language to learn for the non- native speakers - make people think if this can have an impact on UAE’s culture and traditions.

Question 17

“Future generations will be living in a world that is very different from that to which we are accustomed. It is essential that we prepare ourselves and our children for that new world.” Explain.

Answer 17

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Question 18

how many different nationalities reside in the UAE?

Answer 18

There are over 200 different nationalities residing in the UAE making it one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world

Question 19

Size of communities with size of Emiratis.

Answer 19

Emiratis constitute roughly 20% of the total population.
Indians and Pakistanis form the largest expatriate groups in the country, constituting 28% and 12% of the total population respectively.

Question 20

Smallest community in UAE ?

Answer 20

Algerians. An estimated 10,000 Algerians live in the UAE

Question 21

What is listening? with examples.

Answer 21

We are surrounded by visual and auditory stimuli every day and communication uses such signals to convey a message.
Hearing is an involuntary act which merely involves picking up sounds around us, while listening is a voluntary act of actually processing what we hear.
You’ll get in trouble if you don’t listen to your teacher.

We heard a terrible noise when the cars crashed in front of our house.

Question 22

what do you mean by intent?

Answer 22

The reason why you do something.

Question 23

do you think that if someone is quiet when you are speaking then this means that they are really listening to you?

Answer 23

Yes, The person who’s doing the talking will feel understood and cared about. … So by listening rather than talking, you are giving something valuable to the person who’s speaking.

Question 24

What is real listening?

Answer 24

Real listening is a deeper form of listening. Real listening occurs when the receiver is actively engaged in the effort of deciphering a message. Example could be when you are listening to your teacher in order to take notes or when you are carefully listening to someone’s problems because you really need to help them. Real listening requires a lot of concentration, and at times it can be hard to maintain for long periods.

Question 25

What do you mean by Pseudo listening?

Answer 25

Pseudo listening occurs when the act of listening or showing that we are listening is more important than understanding the meaning of the message.
Even though we may be looking at the speaker, and we may appear to be listening, a pseudo listener may not be listening to the message at all, but may be more concerned with connecting with the speaker.
For example, you pseudo listen when you want to be liked or avoid rejection, or you may want some time to think about what to say in the next conversation.

Question 26

What do you mean by hidden agenda?

Answer 26

A secret or hidden motive for doing something.

Question 27

What are the barriers to effective listening?

Answer 27

1. Physical obstacles : noise which blocks or distorts an incoming message, or can affect our ability to interpret a message and the extent to which we can listen effectively.
2. Personal Barriers : Our brain naturally tends to focus on more than one thing at the same time. This can be advantageous ( when we are actually able to multi task - that is listen at the same time do something else simultaneously ) and disadvantageous ( we lose our concentration and no longer focus on the speaker’s message. Despite our best efforts to listen carefully, personal worries and other important thoughts can take us away from concentrating on incoming thoughts.
   3.

Question 28

What are the barriers to effective listening?

Answer 28

1. Physical obstacles : noise which blocks or distorts an incoming message, or can affect our ability to interpret a message and the extent to which we can listen effectively.
2. Personal Barriers : Our brain naturally tends to focus on more than one thing at the same time. This can be advantageous ( when we are actually able to multi task - that is listen at the same time do something else simultaneously ) and disadvantageous ( we lose our concentration and no longer focus on the speaker’s message. Despite our best efforts to listen carefully, personal worries and other important thoughts can take us away from concentrating on incoming thoughts.
3. Difference between speech rate and thought rate :
   People speak at the rate of 125 - 175 words per minute while we can process between 400 - 800 words per minute. This huge difference between speech rate and thought rate explains why we tend to lose our concentration and focus on other thoughts wile we are listening instead of giving one message our full attention. At times, we also listen selectively.
4. Problems with the sender : Monotone voice, unclear or vague messages, distracting movements, too many pauses - all this can challenge our listening skills.
5. Prejudiced Listening : the way we perceive others may prevent us from listening to them actively

Question 29

What are the barriers to effective listening?

Answer 29

1. Physical obstacles : noise which blocks or distorts an incoming message, or can affect our ability to interpret a message and the extent to which we can listen effectively.
2. Personal Barriers : Our brain naturally tends to focus on more than one thing at the same time. This can be advantageous ( when we are actually able to multi task - that is listen at the same time do something else simultaneously ) and disadvantageous ( we lose our concentration and no longer focus on the speaker’s message. Despite our best efforts to listen carefully, personal worries and other important thoughts can take us away from concentrating on incoming thoughts.
3. Difference between speech rate and thought rate :
   People speak at the rate of 125 - 175 words per minute while we can process between 400 - 800 words per minute. This huge difference between speech rate and thought rate explains why we tend to lose our concentration and focus on other thoughts wile we are listening instead of giving one message our full attention. At times, we also listen selectively.
4. Problems with the sender : Monotone voice, unclear or vague messages, distracting movements, too many pauses - all this can challenge our listening skills.
5. Prejudiced Listening : the way we perceive others may prevent us from listening actively because when we prejudge a person based on his or her identity or ideas, we stop listening in an active way and resort to prejudiced listening.
6. Bad speaking Habits : Conversations are composed of a series of turns, and turn-taking can be more or less important in different cultures. One of the biggest problems in the turn taking process can be interruption, though not all interruptions are considered bad listening. However, unintentional interruption can be considered bad listening if they result from our carelessness and inability to give the speaker our full attention.

Question 30

Strategies for effective listening ?

Answer 30

1. Make eye contact
2. Use positive body language ( nodding, changing facial expressions)
3. Avoid distracting actions ( seeing your watch, checking your phone, looking away very often )
4. Say it in other words ( paying attention, checking if what you have understood is correct )
5. Do not interrupt ( wait for your chance, don’t do the mistake of thinking you already know what the speaker is going to say ).
6. Ask questions : an attentive listener analyses what they hear and ask questions.( clarify the message, ensure that you have understood and tell the speaker that you are listening.

Question 31

What is the meaning of Paraphrase?

Answer 31

To express the meaning of something written or spoken in different words.

Question 32

Difference between Closed and Open questions .

Answer 32

Closed questions can be answered with ‘yes’ or ‘no’, or with a very brief answer.
While open questions invite the speaker to give more information or expand ideas.
For example : open questions start with when, where, how, why .. etc.

Question 33

What is communication?

Answer 33

Communication is what people actually say or do when they interact.
Communication, or the sending and receiving of messages, is one aspect of culture and the way we communicate is largely determined by our culture.

Question 34

Culture is communication. Justify

Answer 34

Culture is communication in the sense that since culture has such a great impact on our behavior, then the way we communicate is simple an expression of our culture. No doubt that these two are closely related.

Question 35

What do you mean by intercultural communication?

Answer 35

Intercultural Communication studies communication across different cultures and social groups or how culture affects communication.
It includes the understanding of different cultures, languages and customs of people from other countries.

Question 36

What is blanket approach ?

Answer 36

A very broad statement or view which tries to cover all possible explanation or methods of understanding.

Question 37

what is the meaning of context ?

Answer 37

The circumstances that form the setting for an event or idea which allow a fuller understanding.

Question 38

Difference between heterogeneous and homogenous

Answer 38

Heterogeneous : Composed of very different parts or dissimilar elements.
Homogeneous : Consisting of parts, all of the same kind.

Question 39

Difference between Verbal and Non-Verbal communications.

Answer 39

Verbal : the use of words and sounds to express yourself.

Non - verbal : the use of gestures and mannerisms to express yourself.

Question 40

Define Direct/Low context communications .

Answer 40

In highly heterogeneous societies, like the UAE, because people from very different backgrounds, you cannot assume that the person you are communicating with shares the same cultural norms as you when it comes to conveying a message. This creates a low context which means that the communication style tends to be more direct and that there is greater reliance on just using words in their literal sense.

Question 41

Define Indirect/High Context communications.

Answer 41

High Context cultures tend to be homogenous, which means that people have shared notions on how to interact with each other and have common expectations of how they and the other person will behave in a given situation. This shared understanding determines an indirect style of communication which means that there is less explicit of verbal communication and more use of non-verbal communication.

Question 42

What do you mean by ethnic origin ?

Answer 42

Ethnic origin refers to a person’s ‘roots’ and should not be confused with his or her citizenship, nationality, language or place of birth.

Question 43

What do you mean by Hierarchy?

Answer 43

A system in which members of an organization or society are ranked according to relative status or authority.

Question 44

What is Racism ?

Answer 44

Prejudice, discrimination or antagonism directed against someone of different race based on the belief that one’s own race is superior.

Question 45

What are the factors affecting communication?

Answer 45

1. Social Context : Context plays a very important role in communication in general, and intercultural communication in particular. ( example : the way we talk to our teachers is different from the way we speak to our family ).
2. Ethnic Origin : Ethnic origin also make a difference.
   ( For example : an exchange or interaction may be affected by whether one of the two participants belongs to a minority group ). This imbalance, or hierarchy of power can account for aspects of intercultural communication such as racism or stereotypical behavior.

Question 46

convention ?

Answer 46

A way in which something is done.

Question 47

Misconception ?

Answer 47

A view or opinion that is incorrect because based on faulty thinking or understanding.

Question 48

For a dialogue to be fruitful, there must be mutual respect for each other’s humanity, culture and rights. A dialogue is not true if it does not lead to an understanding of one another.

Answer 48

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum