ADDRESSING CULTURAL DIFFERENCES

Do you know to address

cultural differences in a
classroom setting?
 What is culture?

Now let’s find

out!
Culture
Defines as the way of life of a particular people,
esp. as shown in their ordinary behavior and habits,
their attitudes toward each other, and their moral,
language, ideas, beliefs, customs, codes,
institutions, tools, techniques, works of art,
rituals, and ceremonies

Every student is unique. In order to
properly understand and promote
cultural awareness, teachers need
to understand all the different types
of diversity they may encounter in
their classrooms.
TYPES OF CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN THE CLASSROOM
Race
A person’s skin color can have a great impact
on their experience in society. It can also
impact how they view themselves and others
when engaging in classroom activities.
Ethnicity
It relates to a person’s culture and nationality. Ethnicity is
sometimes confused with race, but it is important to recognize that
while some people may have the same skin color, they may come
from different places and have vastly different cultural beliefs and
views of the world.
Religion
It is important to understand that people have different religious belief or no religious beliefs, and it
may impact their participation in the classroom. Students may react differently to lessons based on
their religion or may not be able to be present on certain religious holidays.
Language
While English is commonly used in American classrooms, for some students, it is not
the language they speak at home. Accommodations should be made to help students for
whom English is a second language.
Socioeconomic Status
A student’s socioeconomic status can affect their ability to participate in the classroom
without some type of accommodation. For instance, access to a computer at home or
reliable internet access is not a given for some children. Teachers should be aware of this
and the stress it may cause students who may struggle due to a lack of resources.
Sexual Orientation
A student’s sexual orientation can have a great impact on how they are
experiencing the world. Teachers should understand the struggles that exist
and ensure that the lessons taught in their classroom are inclusive.
Gender Identity
Similar to sexual orientation, it is important to understand each student’s gender identity and how
they would prefer to be recognized. Teachers should respect their student’s identity and use
preferred pronouns when interacting with their students.
 HOW CAN YOU ADDRESS DIVERSITY AND
MULTICULTURALISM IN THE
CLASSROOM?

 Maintain Consistent
 Get to Know Your Students Communication

Take the time to learn about each
student’s cultural background, hobbies,
learning styles, and what makes them
unique.
Scheduling 1-on-1 meetings with students
to “check in” every so often will allow you
to consistently improve how accessible the
classroom is to everyone.
This can help identify issues or ways to
improve the overall experience.
  Acknowledge and Respect
Every Student
Encourage students to learn about their
diverse backgrounds, remember to take
the time to highlight what’s offensive
and the distinction between cultural
celebration and appropriation. Learning
how to talk about other cultures in a
respectful, mature way is essential for
success in life outside the classroom.
 Practice Cultural
Sensitivity
It’s equally as important to make sure
you’re being sensitive to everyone’s
culture, beliefs, and language concerns.
Take the time to understand each
student’s cultural nuances – from
learning styles to the language they use –
and use these insights to design your
lesson plans.

 Incorporate Diversity in the
Lesson Plan
There are several ways you can ingrain
cultural awareness and diversity into your
lesson plan, and it will vary depending on
the cultures represented in your classroom
and the course you’re teaching. Regardless
of the subject, always try to present and
connect lessons to real-world issues. It’s
easier to promote cultural awareness within
your lessons when there’s a real example
for students to relate to.
 Give Students Freedom and
Flexibility
The most valuable lessons are often
learned through a student’s own
experiences, so giving them some
freedom in the course encourages more
connection to the curriculum. Allow
students to read and present their own
materials that relate to the fundamental
lesson so they can approach the topic
from their own perspective.