Diversity in Classrooms

Classrooms today are made up of students who are culturally and linguistically diverse. In order for teachers to be effective, they need to understand that culture and language play a significant role in teaching and in each student’s learning process. Student’s culture thus needs to be respected, validated and recognized in order for culturally and linguistically diverse students to experience success. Teachers must also strive to create a responsive classroom environment by encouraging students to retain their heritage language and by modifying curriculum to meet the diverse learning needs within the classroom.

As a future bilingual educator, I believe that the most important step in properly instructing culturally and linguistically diverse students is to show respect for the various cultures that are represented in the classroom. Respect in the classroom can be manifested through many ways. One of these ways is by developing honest and caring relationships with the students. Students bring cultural knowledge, practices, and values to school that should be respected and acknowledged as valuable as a teacher develops interpersonal relationships with the students. Building strong relationships with students will encourage their self-esteem and help them build and maintain a positive ethnic identity. I will also strive to become more culturally knowledgeable and competent. Becoming a multicultural educator is an ever-evolving process, but becoming aware of students’ cultural displays can provide students with a greater opportunity for experiencing success in the classroom (Sheets, 2006).

Creating a responsive classroom environment is critical in promoting a student’s ethnic and cultural identity. I will strive to be a responsive teacher by implementing instructional strategies that will facilitate learning among diverse learners. I will also adapt the instruction to meet the needs of my students. As a culturally and linguistically diverse student, I know how critical modifying instruction is in educating diverse learners. For example, I remember being in the first grade. My teacher had just presented a math lesson and was explaining the independent practice to us. Although I listened to the teacher’s instruction, I did not fully understand what I was supposed to be doing. I was sitting at my desk trying to figure out what to do. I finally built up the courage to ask for help. The teacher’s response to me was, “Weren’t you listening as I explained the instructions?” Feeling completely incompetent, I responded quietly, “yes, but I still don’t understand.” The teacher then told me to look up the words in the instructions in a dictionary and maybe then I would be able to understand. Even as a child, I knew that looking up the words in the dictionary would be of no help to me. Instead, I took my seat at my desk and remained silent for the rest of the day. Although I was only in first grade, her words are engrained in my heart and still resonate in my mind. For so many years, I blamed myself. Maybe I just was not a good student or maybe I needed to pay better attention. I now realize that