Abstract

Teaching English in any environment can be challenging, but in a foreign country it is an adventure. What is considered funny in Korea is not seen a humorous in Egypt or even the Bahamas. As western teachers there is a strong need to use humor in our classes, but the use of humor in an international setting of non-native speakers requires some finesse. This paper will explore the effective use of humor in five countries and how western teachers can avoid potential cultural conflicts in an international school setting.