Thus, teachers have the added responsibility of leading students through this unfamiliar territory towards achievement. Teachers today face the challenge of effective teaching in a multicultural classroom. “Rather than a passive, one-way flow of learning from teacher to student, there is a brainstorming of ideas, stories, and experiences that enrich the educational experience in ways that are impossible in monocultural classes.” Classroom Resources for Multicultural Education Examples of Current Issues in the Multicultural Classroom. In order to resolve the issue, an ESL teacher must be strict and institute discipline if needed. Multicultural literature can be used as a tool to open students’ minds. Language barrier The main thing that differs multicultural classrooms from ordinary ones is a language barrier. Based on the underlying assumption that members of often very different cultures can coexist peacefully, multiculturalism expresses the view that society is enriched by preserving, respecting, and even encouraging cultural diversity. Classrooms are becoming increasingly multicultural, and this leads to new challenges for teachers. S4�L�RI��˗/�޽{��œ'O���. Traditionally, students coming into the multicultural classroom are at a deficit because they must learn how to navigate unfamiliar people, their cultures, and language. h�b```f``�d`a`��� Ȁ �@ �8�����&}�������F��;`�IP;?��A0�� 2�Q�����'P��L@����W�� K���%���f0[*������� ��$� If it is one particular student, you should react swiftly to show dominance. While it’s important to keep an open dialogue amongst students, it’s … Traditionally, students coming into the multicultural classroom are at a deficit because they must learn how to navigate unfamiliar people, their cultures, and language. “Multicultural classrooms are a melting pot of learning,” she says. Traditionally, students coming into the multicultural classroom are at a deficit because they must learn how to navigate unfamiliar people, their cultures, and language. Still, there's another gap that often goes unexamined: the cultural gap between students and teachers. Gender Diversity in the Classroom. Multicultural literature can be used to create a classroom where all students are valued (Colby & Lyon, 2004). IISTE. Inorder to create a classroom environment that successfully embraces cultural diversity, here are 12 things you should consider. For example, assumptions about what a typical student should know, the resources they have and their prior knowledge are extremely important. 74 0 obj <>stream Current Issues and Dilemmas of Multicultural Education in the US Many schools in the US undergo some dil emmas that impede an effective implementation of a multicultural education system. 0 … Traditionally, students coming into the multicultural classroom are at a deficit because they must learn how to navigate unfamiliar people, their cultures, and language. Gender diversity in the classroom, as well as gender diversity in the workplace, can play a role in our lives. 8 Real Examples Of a Multicultural Classroom. Teachers are encouraged to incorporate learning experiences and content relevant to their personal cultural perspectives and heritage. Cultural Issues of the Target Discourse The author acknowledges that she will most likely make assumptions and generalizations about commonly held beliefs and values of both groups of students. Thus, teachers have the added responsibility of leading students through this unfamiliar territory towards achievement. If the entire class is acting up, it may be the fault of the teacher, i.e. In sociology, multiculturalism describes the manner in which a given society deals with cultural diversity. 61 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<4ED21FF3F2277E479D0A398311D5FB2F>]/Index[44 31]/Info 43 0 R/Length 86/Prev 164672/Root 45 0 R/Size 75/Type/XRef/W[1 2 1]>>stream The UK today has a higher cultural diversity than ever, and London, in particular, is recognised as one of the most multicultural cities in the world. 5�d�b���Ja�hR�C�iZf�;�ҙ;��u��w� Conversations about diversity and equity can be uncomfortable for students … When children’s and families’ practices “clash” with our own, it can lead to misunderstandings and assumptions. All that happens due to the challenges faced by a teacher and influencing the learners. Figure 1 presents a visual overview of basic points of this study. Given these various complexities, many educators wonder how they can find the time to manage diversity issues on top of the other challenges they are expected to handle every day. The multicultural classroom provides an opportunity for students from different cultures to bring their enormous range of experiences, knowledge, perspectives, and insights to the classroom. Classrooms are becoming increasingly multicultural, and this leads to new challenges for teachers. Multicultural education is about more than a classroom with varied skin color – it includes careful examination of the neighborhoods, parenting styles and general experiences that shape each and every K-12 student. 2. Diversity: classrooms with different backgrounds, nationalities and faiths can lead to great topics and discussions based on tolerance and respect. No 1 Central, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong SAR. Materials for Teaching About Social Issues from the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (Div. According to a report by the Center for Teaching Excellence, by the end of the 1990s, women began outnumbering men at U.S. colleges. Or voices may be stifled. Teaching diversity in the classroom is a key part in establishing an overall school or district policy of cultural diversity. endstream endobj startxref This will happen, no matter what, in every classroom. Tel: +852-39485948; e-mail: JEP@iiste.org; Web site: http://iiste.org/Journals/index.php/JEP. It helps to stimulate an understanding of diversity in the classroom and helps to build an understanding of and respect for people from other cultures. Current Issue. Practice Cultural Sensitivity. Redirect your role in the classroom from instructor to facilitator. Issues in a multicultural classroom Larger cities may have had multicultural class rooms for years, but with an increase of refugees coming to Australia and settling in country places, regional education centres are finding that more and more students with different cultural … Furthermore, discussing issues of diversity are often fraught with conflict as students move out of their comfort zones and encounter conflicting beliefs and values. Therefore, my goal for this paper is to explore some issues in the multicultural classroom that teachers and student may face; most specifically: low academic achievement, adjustment to a new cultural environment, and trust problems with self as well as the new culture. ]�4޼y��ÇS�NI���ի�px��i�4���O����[g�ݻw�ٳg�?~����ׯc'N��v�_�~����˗/߾}���J�>�&�Q]�x�X���$���Do�G��]G+t�.��d�qȮ��uR��c{. It's essential to take multicultural learning styles into account. Unlike customary classrooms, issues in multicultural education make the teaching and learning process a real trial for both teachers and students. A few examples may include, but are not limited to, advocating for a particular lunch or breakfast program at a school, making politicians aware of negative issues in a community — for example, violence, gun control, drug abuse — or advocating for the rights of the LGBT [lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender] community. 44 0 obj <> endobj Students from various cultures have different needs, and an equitable classroom must address them. This requires specialized learning techniques, practice, and education in order to effectively accomplish. At its core, multicultural education is about facilitating inclusion among diverse students. boring material or poor classroom management. Educators today hear a lot about gaps in education – achievement gaps, funding gaps, school-readiness gaps. Thus, teachers have the added responsibility of leading students through this unfamiliar territory towards achievement. Consider other ways to tackle problems, interpret issues, and demonstrate learning that may be different from what you or others have experienced.3. Classrooms are becoming increasingly multicultural, and this leads to new challenges for teachers. Another important requirement for … h��=p�H�]�0CI�%p�y��~lL �����w�����l�')����P�QCIIIg�QRRR�3������V�#���Z��v�{��߷OW��t��ӫL�1]?��d��ԙn�Z������Ɇ�����^aJ�И���Ve.��,BHl��ER The government has even implemented its own program to help educators create a multicultural environment in the classroom. Literature Review There are several studies that explain the issues in the multicultural classroom. In Living Buddha, Living Christ, Vietnamese Zen Master, peace activist, and poet Thich Nhat Hanh describes an exchange that occurred at a conference of theologians and religion professors. 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