Question

A tremendous amount of research supports the role of the educator in promoting a safe and effective learning environment for culturally diverse classrooms. What methods or approaches can you employ to develop such positive and effective learning environments

Answer 1

A culturally responsive learning environment offers benefits to the students like

1. Reduced behavioural problems.

2. Stronger bonds with their teachers and the school.

3. Enhanced learning.

4. Increased self esteem.

For this, Educators choose approaches like

A. Learning to recognize and make room for similarities and differences among students, eagerly acknowledging and viewing individual and cultural differences in a positive manner, which provides the basis for productive communication and tailored teaching strategies. The teacher can model and reinforce social skills, including respect for others and cross cultural sensitivity.

B. Encouraging social interaction, correlate classroom teaching to cultural norms. Create assignments that require group interaction to develop the social skills and problem solving abilities of students.

C. When asking questions or giving directions, factor in different wait times for a diverse group.

D.Learning to be sensitive to the cultural acclimation required of immigrant students.

E. Assisting parents in developing the skills to understand and work with the educational system.

Embracing the strengths and acknowledging the varied needs of our increasingly multicultural, multilingual population of learners requires a major shift in our current school practices.. Thus culturally responsive learning environment sets all students up for success.