Professional Ethics for Language Teachers

6. Case Studies: Ethical Dilemmas Faced by Language Teachers

Example 1: A teacher asked to exclude certain content because it conflicts with cultural norms.

• Ethical conflict: autonomy vs. respect for cultural sensitivities

• Resolution strategy: collaborate with administration and students to co-design inclusive alternatives

Example 2: A student shares personal trauma in class discussions.

• Ethical conflict: encouraging open communication vs. maintaining emotional boundaries

• Resolution strategy: acknowledge, support, and refer to appropriate resources without assuming a counsellor’s role