In interacting with American teachers, students can get real meaning directly from what is being said without further guessing. In addition, American teachers are found to be generous with verbal, explicit praise and reward for students' good work, which greatly enhances students' interest and self-confidence. Fourth, the personal and informal communication styles seem to help cultivate a better teacher-student relationship. Most students don't have contact with their Chinese teachers outside classroom, and tend to keep a respectful distance. American teachers' comparative personal and informal communication styles make them more accessible to students.
American teachers are both a students' teacher and friend at the same time.
Chinese teachers, in this aspect, often perceive the roles of teacher and friend as being incompatible. They are often afraid of losing the control of the classroom and the respect of their students. Actually, experience shows that students have more respect and appreciation for teachers who are teachers inside the classroom and friends after class. It is important to students that their teacher cares not only their academic needs, but also for their personal needs as well. In spite of the difficulties in adapting to another culture, American teachers indeed have many cultural advantages in gaining students' acceptance and appreciation.