Miscommunication Dialog - Mr Smith & Mohammed

The dialog I chose to use is:

#2 Your homework (Mr. Smith is Mohammed’s Teacher)

Mr. Smith: Do you know what to do for your homework?

Mohammed: Yes, I think so

Mr. Smith: So you understand how to do it?

Mohammed: Yes, sir

Mr. Smith: Ok, great, I look forward to seeing your answers tomorrow.

Mohammed: Yes, thank you

You notice right away Mohammed answers are always yes and then a comment. So Mr. Smith is assuming Mohammed is sure of his homework, understands what needs to be done & how to do it, and it will be done tomorrow & the answers will be complete. The problem is from me reading this dialog I think Mohammed has no clue what to do on his homework. So where is the different opinions coming from since we are hearing the same dialog from Mohammed?

I feel Mohammed is saying yes to the teacher for several reasons. One reason might be because when a person speaks to you that have power or authority like a teacher in another country you are to show respect. One way to show respect is to say yes and then add your comment. For example in the army the cadets are taught to responded with yes first and then the comment. (Yes sir, yes). Another reason Mohammed might be saying yes is because maybe in his culture it is rude to say no to people especially people like teachers and other adults. A third reason Mohammed could be saying yes is because it is to acknowledge another person is speaking to him. Many countries it is a formal way of being acknowledge. In our country yes means you understand the items being asked of you or that you are in agreement with the items being asked of you at the time. That is not true for other cultures and countries.

To help prevent Mohammed from being confused or the teacher from being disappointed the next day when Mohammed’s work is not completed the correct way the teacher could do the first one with the class or with Mohammed to make sure he understands. I usually always do the first problem with my students of their homework. I do this for two reasons: 1. So they know what is their homework 2.If they have questions hopefully they ask them then.

Mr. smith should explain to Mohammed by answering yes to the questions that he thinks Mohammed understand everything. Hopefully helping Mohammed be aware of this miscommunication will help him in the future in other classes.