Creating Learning Opportunities in Strange or Familiar Contexts: A Response to Gerald R. Fast's “'Africa, My Teacher!'”

Having had the opportunity to observe in classrooms throughout Zimbabwe as an external examiner about ten years ago and having spent time in other African countries since then, I found myself closely connecting to Fast's stories of living and teaching in Zimbabwe. If readers have not had the opportunity to immerse themselves in a foreign culture, Fast's stories may, on the surface, appear intriguing but distant from their own lives and ways of functioning. From these appealing stories, however, there is much for any reader to contemplate and better understand about teaching and learning in any culture. In my response, I will explore Fast's two main themes and highlight the need for similar learning opportunities for teachers even when they cannot travel to foreign countries or visit unfamiliar cultures.