In an increasingly diverse and multicultural society, educators need to incorporate culturally responsive instruction across all levels in education. Teachers should include ethnic and cultural diversity, but also other forms such as religious, socioeconomic status, gender identity, language background, and more.
Here are six ways to manage diversity in the classroom and promote cultural awareness.
- You should get to know your students.
Learning about the cultural backgrounds, hobbies, and learning styles of all students will make them feel valued and allow for a trusting bond to form between you and them.
- You should maintain consistent communication with your students.
Having one-on-one check-ins with your students throughout the school year will make them feel included and help you to improve your classroom’s accessibility.
- You should acknowledge and respect every student.
Paying attention to the uniqueness of your students and allowing them to learn about their cultural background and share that knowledge with their peers promotes understanding in the classroom and beyond.
- You should practice cultural sensitivity.
Creating interactive and collaborative learning experiences ensures that every student is given the space to learn in their own ways.
- You should incorporate diversity in your lesson plans.
Always try to present and connect your lessons to real-world issues to foster your student’s cultural awareness.
- You should give your students freedom and flexibility in their educational lessons.
Acting as more of a facilitator instead of as a lecturer gives your students the ability to connect better to the curriculum and gain more knowledge through their own directed experiences.
It is important to teach culture because it will create greater multicultural awareness and inclusion in the classroom and help students from all backgrounds succeed. Highlighting the cultural diversity among your students will encourage acceptance and prepare students to thrive in our diversifying world.
Other benefits to your students include:
- Becoming more empathetic and open-minded
- Gaining a better understanding of their lessons and other people
- Feeling more confident and safe in their communities
Teachers have to teach their students a variety of skills to contribute to society, and this also includes preparing them to adapt to our evolving world.
If you are interested in reading more about the importance of diversity and cultural awareness in the classroom, check out this article.
