why schools need a cultural course

by Cristina Berge 3 min read

Six reasons why multicultural education is essential will be discussed.

  • 1. Assist cultural groups in feeling included, and therefore feeling they belong in the school community. ...
  • 2. Gain accurate representation and knowledge of cultural groups ...
  • 3. Promote intercultural interaction and harmony in a school setting ...
  • 4. Mindset of critical thinking on current social issues surrounding cultural diversity ...
  • 5. Advanced equity in education ...

When working and learning with people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures present in the classroom, students gain a more comprehensive understanding of the subject matter. It also teaches students how to use their own strengths and points of view to contribute in a diverse working environment.

Full Answer

What are the benefits of cultural education in the classroom?

Educating pupils about a variety of cultures brings many other benefits. Creating an inclusive classroom environment where everyone feels comfortable and equal can help build confidence and encourage pupils to participate in group settings, answer questions and ask for help, all of which can help them to achieve academically.

What is school culture and why does it matter?

School culture includes an atmosphere of mutual respect amongst all stakeholders where teaching and learning are valued; achievements and successes are celebrated, and where ongoing collaboration is the norm. Dr. Murphy is 100% correct in both of his assertions. First, school culture does matter.

What should be covered in a cultural training course?

What Should be Covered in a Cultural Training Course? 'Cultural Training’ course content should include everything necessary to help people new to a country, understand and navigate the local culture. This understanding gives learners an advantage when working in or with a foreign country by equipping them with shortcuts on how to work effectively.

Why is cultural diversity important in the classroom?

Embracing cultural diversity can help you succeed as an educator. American classrooms are becoming more diverse every year,* which means cultural diversity in the classroom is becoming an increasingly important issue for educators throughout the education system. Ignoring the increase in diversity is not a helpful response.

What are the benefits of cultural diversity in schools?

Ultimately, studies show that diversity in education, particularly on college campuses, improve the “intellectual engagement, self-motivation, citizenship, and cultural engagement, and academic skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and writing – for students of all races.

Why do I need a course in multicultural education?

Multicultural education allows students to hone their critical thinking skills on topics surrounding cultural and social issues, including “institutional racism, classism, sexism, ableism, ageism and homophobia” (Gollnick& Chinn, 2006).

What are the benefits of multicultural?

Multiculturalism promotes the integration of different cultures and the sharing of one's ideas and perspectives. The sharing of ideas can lead to new innovations for businesses and more prosperous working relationships.

What are the possible benefits of a multicultural curriculum?

It enables students to acquire skills and develop a positive attitude to communicate, interact, and foster acceptance and tolerance with individuals from varied cultures to create a moral and civic community.

What are the three general purposes of multicultural education?

What are the three general purposes that Multicultural Education promotes? These purposes are to promote pride in one's own cultural heritage and understanding of subcultures different from one's own, to foster positive attitudes toward cultural diversity, and to ensure equal education opportunities for all students.

Why multicultural education is more important in higher education now than ever a global perspective?

Multicultural education renews vitality of society through the richness of the different cultures of its members and fosters development of a broader and more sophisticated view of the world. culture, from the various microcultures and cultural groups.

What can you learn from multiculturalism?

Students learn a variety of different cultures, music, cuisines, and practices that others have matured with. Study environments that have a diverse blend of cultures lessen the menace of minority group favoritism. Students learning and growing in multicultural surroundings become flexible and compliant to change.

Why is multicultural education important essay?

Multicultural education seeks to give diverse students an equal change in school, life and contributing to build a healthy community. One of its important goals is to help all students to acquire the knowledge, attitude and skills to function in this new pluralistic and changing society.

Why is cultural diversity important?

Embracing cultural diversity can help you succeed as an educator. American classrooms are becoming more diverse every year,* which means cultural diversity in the classroom is becoming an increasingly important issue for educators throughout the education system. Ignoring the increase in diversity is not a helpful response.

What is culture in the world?

Culture is the framework around which we build our identity. It influences how we engage with the world, the perspectives we take, and the expectations we have. Every one of us has a culture, and most of us have identities built from multiple cultures.

How does economic pressure affect students?

You should be aware of how economic pressures can lead to classroom stress as well as to issues with finding time and a place to study. A student’s sexual orientation and/or gender identity can become a point of conflict in their lives.

How to foster cultural awareness and sensitivity?

How do you foster cultural awareness and sensitivity? Express interest in diversity. You can go a long way toward fostering a culturally inclusive classroom by demonstrating your own desire to be culturally aware. Ask students to share their stories and relate their cultural experiences to the lessons you’re teaching.

What is an elementary education degree?

An elementary education degree can provide you with advanced knowledge of the ways cultural influences impact learning, and how teachers can better address cultural diversity in the classroom. While earning a degree may seem daunting, you can make it easier by enrolling in an online university. An online education degree program in child ...

What is the goal of an educator?

Your goal as an educator is to ensure you don’t neglect a major aspect of a student’s identity, and that you foster an environment where differences are accepted and understood , particularly if those differences have historically been ignored or disparaged.

Do you have to have diverse expectations for cultural diversity?

Cultural diversity does not require you to have diverse expectations. You should maintain the same high expectations for all students. Yes, you may choose to make special accommodations for those students who need them, but you want all students to excel.

Why is cultural awareness important for teachers?

Practicing cultural awareness and sensitivity as a teacher requires a little more consideration, but we owe it to our profession, our students, and the surrounding community to put in the work. And by doing so, you will allow all of your students to have an equitable experience in your class. Moreover, you will add to your school’s culture in a positive way and act as an example for other teachers.

What is cultural awareness?

Cultural awareness is a term that is thrown around a lot nowadays — not just in education, but in politics and media, too. In my experience teaching abroad for the last six years, I’ve found that the definition of cultural awareness, at its core, simply means acknowledging that there are other cultures and experiences out there.

How to make your students feel safe and comfortable?

In order for your students to adapt to their new environment and feel safe and comfortable, you need to create an atmosphere of inclusivity. Include allowances for cultural necessities in classroom rules, choose texts that are relevant to and explore cultural differences, and communicate with students and parents about needs and expectations.

What is an online degree at American College of Education?

American College of Education offers online degree programs that are perfect for teachers and educators who teach cross-culturally. Explore our programs page to learn about all our degree programs, including our M.Ed. in English as a Second Language and Bilingual Education and M.Ed. in Teaching English Learners programs.

Why is cultural diversity important in education?

Providing early cultural diversity education to children whose personality traits and attitudes are still developing could be a potential solution to discrimination and this rise in hate crimes aimed towards minorities in the UK.

How can inclusive classrooms help students?

Creating an inclusive classroom environment where everyone feels comfortable and equal can help build confidence and encourage pupils to participate in group settings, answer questions and ask for help, all of which can help them to achieve academically.

How does educating children to see others as equals with differences help?

Through educating children to see others as equals with differences, valuable lessons are learnt and these act as a preventative measure to displays of racism and stereotyping.

Why is diversity important for children?

Educating children in diversity increases creativity, encourages open-mindedness and provides a wealth of opportunities.

Why should education start at primary school?

This education needs to start at primary school so children can reap the benefits and grow to be part of a more inclusive generation.

What age is too young to teach children about race and diversity?

What age is too young to teach children about race and diversity? Four? Five? Six? The answer, quite simply, is that it’s never too early to educate children on this topic.

Is there limited exposure to cultural diversity?

However, until shows like this are featured on popular mainstream channels there is limited exposure, which again highlights the importance of cultural diversity education at school.

Why is cultural competence important?

When we interact in cross cultural situations, a lack of awareness can lead to bad or poor decisions. Cultural competence helps us reduce the chances of making bad decisions and increases the chance of us making more insightful, considered decisions.

Why do we focus on culture?

The reason we focus on culture is because of the very fact that many people within professional and personal life underestimate the impact cultural differences can have.

What happens if you don't understand how culture works?

Especially when working across cultures or in different parts of the world, if you don't understand how culture works, you can make mistakes.

What do you think of culture as an iceberg?

If you think of culture as an iceberg, what we see of a culture is tiny in comparison to what we cannot see.

What is school culture?

School culture is a mindset that can either be positive or negative. No one flourishes in constant negativity. When negativity persists in a school culture, no one wants to come to school. This includes the administrators, teachers, and students. This type of environment is set up to fail.

How to establish a culture in a school?

To establish an effective school culture, you must consider every little nuance in a school. Ultimately, everything contributes to the overall culture of a school. This includes school security, the quality of the food in the cafeteria, the friendliness of the main office staff when there are visitors or when answering the phones, the cleanliness of the school, the maintenance of the grounds, etc. Everything should be evaluated and changed as necessary.

What happens when positivity persists in a school culture?

When positivity persists in a school culture, everyone thrives. Administrators, teachers, and students are generally happy to be there. Amazing things happen in a positive environment. Student learning is enhanced. Teachers grow and improve. Administrators are more relaxed. Everyone benefits from this type of environment.

How do teachers help students?

Teachers help this process through a variety of ways. First, they build trusting relationships with students. Next, they ensure that every student has an opportunity to learn the required material. Additionally, they figure out a way to make learning fun so that students keep wanting to come back to their class. Finally, they show a vested interest in each student in a variety of ways including attending extracurricular activities, engaging in conversations about interests/hobbies, and being there for a student when they are having a hard time.

Why is extracurricular important in school?

Extra-curricular programs can foster an immense amount of school pride. Schools must offer a well-balanced assortment of programs to give every student an opportunity to be involved. This includes a mixture of both athletic and non-athletic programs. Coaches and sponsors responsible for these programs must provide the participants with everyone opportunity to be successful Programs and individuals within these programs should be recognized for their accomplishments. Ultimately, if you have a positive school culture, every stakeholder feels a sense of pride when one of these programs or individuals is successful.

Why is collaboration important in school?

Collaboration builds lasting relationships. Collaboration can challenge us and make us better. Collaboration is essential in helping a school truly become a community of learners.

Why is it important to maintain morale in a school?

Building and maintaining teacher morale is one of the most important duties a school principal plays in fostering a positive school culture. Teaching is a very difficult job, but it becomes easier when you work with a supportive administrator. Students spend the largest amount of their time at school in the classroom.

What is cultural sensitivity training?

Cultural sensitivity training helps ensure that employees understand the behavior expectations of the organization’s code of conduct and policies and practices to prevent discrimination, harassment, bullying and other misconduct.

Why is diversity training important?

As part of a long-term strategy to improve diversity and inclusion and motivate positive attitudes and behaviors , an interactive diversity training program is an essential part of the ongoing process.

What is inclusion in diversity?

Inclusion takes diversity awareness to another level. If diversity is about representation, inclusion is about involvement and participation – ensuring that marginalized or underrepresented people have opportunities to participate in the organization’s operations and leadership.

How can we make progress in diversity and inclusion?

Making sustainable progress in diversity and inclusion requires everyone’s participation and voice. Speaking up, asking questions, raising concerns and reporting incidents of discrimination, harassment, bias, microaggressions and other misconduct is key to moving from awareness to action. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and other workplace experts considerbystander intervention training one of the most effective ways to empower employees to take an active role in stopping harassment,preventing future incidents and fostering a safe, supportive, respectful workplace culture.

How to foster cultural sensitivity?

5 ways cultural sensitivity training can foster a more respectful, inclusive workplace culture: 1. Raising Cultural Awareness. Cultural awareness and cultural competency are important factors in creating a sense of belonging in the workplace and improving interactions among coworkers, customers, partners and others.Training sets ...

Why is diversity important in the workplace?

Attracting and retaining a diverse workforce can provide many benefits and competitive advantages for organizations of all sizes and industries — increasing and improving creativity, productivity, employee engagement, teamwork, customer satisfaction and company and brand reputation. As part of a long-term strategy to improve diversity ...

Is diversity training a check-the-box event?

HR and learning leaders understand that to be effective, diversity training shouldn’t be treated as a check-the-box, one-off event. It should be aligned with the organization’s values and priorities, and integrated into policies, practices, processes and operations.

When a teacher holds a high level of cultural competence and transmits this knowledge and understanding to their students and their?

When a teacher holds a high level of cultural competence and transmits this knowledge and understanding to their students and their families, we have culturally responsive teaching.

How can teachers become culturally responsive?

The best way for a teacher to become culturally responsive is through dedicated professional development.

What is culturally responsive teaching?

When a teacher holds a high level of cultural competence and transmits this knowledge and understanding to their students and their families, we have culturally responsive teaching.

What is cultural competence?

Cultural competence is having an awareness of one’s own cultural identity and views about difference, and the ability to learn and build on the varying cultural and community norms of students and their families. It is the ability to understand the within-group differences that make each student unique, while celebrating the between-group variations that make our [world] a tapestry.

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