Author(s)

Yanbing Chen ¹

Affiliation(s)

¹ International College of Chinese Studies, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China

Corresponding Author

Yanbing Chen

ABSTRACT

The issue of Chinese language volunteer teachers' psychological struggles in foreign cultures has gained massive public attention. Meanwhile, few studies explore cross-cultural adaptation struggles with culture shock as the theoretical basis. Hence, this study analyzes the culture shock experienced by Chinese language volunteer teachers in Thailand and seeks corresponding countermeasures. This study argues that culture shock brings setbacks and challenges to Chinese language volunteer teachers, including language barriers, educational philosophy, and social adaptation. It also provides an opportunity for reflection and improvement, making full use of the foundation conducive to improving the individual abilities of Chinese language volunteer teachers and effectively enabling cultural exchange. Based on the analysis, it proposes the following suggestions: volunteer teachers should improve their language skills and abilities, overcome ethnocentric thinking, embrace foreign cultures, and engage in cross-cultural communication with a mindset of respect and equality. In parallel, before going abroad, volunteer teachers should receive targeted training with practical courses, higher salaries, and better benefits.

KEYWORDS

Culture Shock; Cross-Cultural Adaptation; Chinese Language Volunteer Teachers in Thailand; Frustrations

CITE THIS PAPER

Yanbing Chen, Cross-Cultural Adaptation of Chinese Language Volunteer Teachers: A Culture Shock Perspective. Journal of Sociology and Ethnology (2025) Vol. 7: 81-87. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.23977/jsoce.2025.070112.

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