How are US students classroom behavior compared to the students in other parts of the world?

Question

I like to hear from teachers who have experienced both US and other countries students. I know the teachers our district recruited from India and the Philippines are having hard times adjusting to the US student behaviors. I personally have had little behavior problems from my ESL students that just came to the US from Mexico, China, Africa, etc. compared to the numerous problems I've had with the US students (or even foreign student have have been here a while). I'm trying to figure out if or why there is a difference in behaviors?

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Answer 1

I attended high school in Mexico and in the US and am now a teacher. From my experience the behaviors in a Mexican high school are not much different from an American school. There are still class clowns and class pets and those who try to do anything for attention. In Mexico a boy started a note that he had passed from person to person. It read "Whoever laughs has poo in their pants." Of course all of his friends were laughing and very distracted.
One difference that I can say is that I never once witnessed disrespect to the teacher. While there was silliness and kids off task, if the teacher spoke to them they were very respectful. I think that this is a cultural thing.
As for kids who come to the US I think that part of their good behavior is the fact that they are new to the language and that it takes time to develop friendships. I had a boy from Russia in my classroom. After 2 years his personality blossomed but it was annoying. He was very loud and attention seeking. When he barely spoke English he did not act that way.