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Cultural diversity in the classroom
Importance of parent involvement in children's education
Cultural diversity in the classroom
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It is essential for teachers to use effective communication skills and interpersonal communication skills when associating with parents/carers. When this is taken place, it will allow them to develop a positive and strong partnership with them and it will enhance the parental contribution in the school. Teachers must engage with the children/students during their learning journey and ensure to develop meaningful relations with their parents and caregivers (Devereux & Wilson, 2008). When the teacher deal with students with parents/carers who are from a diverse background, it is important for teachers to communicate with their parents effectively and appropriately. Teachers must demonstrate their characteristics of being attentive, friendly …show more content…
Cultural differences can form substantial communication challenges between teachers and linguistically and culturally diverse parents, therefore, teachers must ensure that they have a knowledge and understanding of these diverse parents in order to communicate with them. When there is a language barrier between the teachers and parents, teachers must include an interpreter in order for them to understand one another. Teachers should also consider offering written communication for diverse parents in many different languages in order to get their messages across the wider parent community (Lai & Ishiyama, 2004). When teachers, verbal, or non- verbal communication is not made efficiently towards the parents, it can cause conflict and discomfort. Therefore, teachers must remember to approach the diverse parents with dignity and respect and to communicate effectively and professionally. Moreover, the school must ensure that Ethnocentrism does not occur between the teachers and parents. When ethnocentric teachers judge the students or parents due to their cultural diversity, it can use major conflict and complication. Therefore, it is essential that teachers are accepting of diverse parents/carers and use their effective communication and interpersonal skills to engage the parents/carers with their child’s schooling life and
The article talks about how teachers need to have cultural compatibility. While it might be difficult for some teacher to grasp and understand the different cultures behaviors and beliefs. For those teacher that can are more likely to provide a learning environment that is enriching and responsive to the children’s different cultures. Teacher should have “meaningful interactions with members of other cultures and promote cultural disequilibrium (Colombo, 2005, p. 2).” Activities that have this are more likely to increase cultural competence.
We as educators must always act in the best interests of the children, while we seek to understand and embrace the different cultures by talking, listening and learning from the families and communities that surround us.
The purpose of this study is to figure out which ways experienced teachers work best with culturally and linguistically diverse students. This study illustrates which strategies experienced teachers have found to work best. The diversity in school in the United States has increased each year. This means that there are an increasing amount of students who are learning English, English language learners (ELLs). This article comes from the perspective that each child should be taught to their specific needs. All students deserve a fair chance to learn. Fair means that every student is treated differently, not equally. Every student learns differently. In order to give every student a fair chance at learning, you must teach them according to their needs. An experienced teacher, Tiffany, describes her experiences working with culturally and linguistically diverse students. This study watches her methods and discusses what works based on data analysis of the success of her students.
Warren, Hong, Rubin and Uy (2009) encourage teachers to take a slow approach to engaging with parents/carers and do it in a more authentic way through meaningful conversations. Even a short, five-minute conversation can help “1. Make a personal connection 2. Share your hopes and concerns about the student 3. Leave a lasting impression” (Major, 2008, p. 318). Major (2008) offers another way to engage parents/carers, by holding a ‘gala’ night with awards, food and an exhibition of student work and including other classes or even the whole
To further integrate the parents of multicultural students into the school setting, the school could obtain a parent advocate to work with the parents on basic skills and help them to develop skills that will enable them to support their child. This skill development will help to foster a relationship between home and school with the multicultural families. Once the relationship has been created the parents will feel more comfortable in the school setting and choose to become a part of the school
We should also be sensitive when talking and communicating to them and also listen to their opinions. Adults should also remain professional and talk in a formal language to each other and respect their opinions. For example at my setting we hold regular parents evening, where parents can talk about their child’s progress and ask questions, as the teacher we should listen give them our full attention and give them time to express their thoughts, wishes and issues they have. If we need to communicate with parents that don’t speak English as language, we tend to get a translator in so that they can understand fully. At my setting we also send home letters in different languages so that the parents understand what’s happening at the school. Another important factor to consider when communicating with adults is to understand that may come from a different cultural background and we should always consider the body language and physical contact used for example a hand shake which some cultures may accept but others may find
Sometimes a student is successful in one area and having difficulty in another or a student has trouble using their words to communicate and becomes aggressive. At this center, the teachers have the tools to assess each child and the parents are interested in knowing the strengths and supports their child needs. The article Understanding Families, states that there should be “opportunities for families to discuss their beliefs about their children, what they want for their children, and how they support their children’s development” (Christian, 7). As conferences occur every 6 months, parents also communicate with the school and teachers via email and during drop off and pick up times. Another great example of parent communication is in the article Building Bridges from School to Home. The teacher builds relationships with parents by getting them to understand the areas that their child struggles and continues to strive in. Making sure they know that their child will master these skills when they are ready (Lawrence-Lightfoot, 2). At Staples Child Care Center, all teacher will assessments and observations about the child and a few suggestions that the child will benefit
In the next couple of paragraphs, we will discuss several ways teachers can build relationships with ELL parents. We
Many times, teachers will make the mistake of pre-judging families from different cultures and misunderstand their communication styles and value systems. In order to prevent such misunderstandings, teachers should not be afraid to step outside of their own culture bubble in an effort to comprehend differences between their own culture and these parents. When interacting with parents, teachers should also embrace the commonalities between the cultures. Everyone deals with work, school, relationships, communication, and life in general. I am a Black man, going to school, raising a family and working, just like one of my friends, who is a Native-American. Often times, the things we see as divisions can actually bring us
Culture is a powerful influence plays a big role in our interactions. Culture may also impact parenting style and a developing child. Having a strong sense of their own cultural history and the traditions associated with it helps children build a positive cultural identity for themselves. This also supports children’s sense of belonging and, by extension, their mental health and wellbeing. This class is crucial in understanding and working well parents, staff, and children. An effective educator understands how students’ cultures affect their perceptions, self-esteem, values, classroom behavior, and learning. As director, I need to use that understanding to help my students and staff feel welcomed, affirmed, respected, and valued. One way that I can do this is by using multicultural literature, especially children’s literature, to honor students’ culture and foster cross-cultural understanding. If cultural differences are not understood by teachers and management, it can lead to miscommunication and misunderstandings on both sides. It will be my job to do all I can to overcome both language and cultural differences to ensure a positive learning environment for
Sashi’s daughter did not want her to go to her parent-teacher conference because her daughter felt embarrassed that her mom could not speak English. Sashi was then able to build a connection with her daughter’s teacher because he was able to speak Hindi with her. In the textbook, “Foundations for Multilingualism in Education,” it states that, “Multiple languages and the absence of one common language will undermine political unity and cohesiveness” (de Jong, 2011, p. 39). Although this quote is referring to unity in America and using English to become a national community, I think that this also refers to smaller communities as well. Sashi felt distance between the parents and her because she could not express herself to them in English. Sashi did not feel comfortable in the school community until the teacher was able to speak Hindi with her. This also shows how parents that do not know English too well, may feel when they come into a parent-teacher conference in school. Educators need to be able to accommodate parents the best that they can because it is important for parents to be a part of a child’s
What are the most significant aspects about which a teacher should communicate with a parent, and how
Research shows that children do better in school when parents talk often with teachers and become involved. Kids whose parents interact with teachers usually get higher grades and test scores, develop positive attitudes about school, and are better behaved. Parents and teachers need to communicate on a regular basis, not just at parent/teacher conferences. But sometimes, a parent doesn’t know just how to go about getting involved or how to make that positive connection with the teacher and/or school.
These parents seek one on one interaction with their child and direct contact with the teacher, which to me is what I look for. Without the parents involvement teaching becomes so much harder not only for me but for the student.
In the reading it brings up how most parents are only contacted by the school when it is something bad. This is not how it should be. Teachers should be sending home good news notes to the parents praising the students for their hard work in the class. Schools also need to be welcoming to the families and provide workshops to assist in the parent’s knowledge to allow them to help their children with their schoolwork. Having the parents involved and aware of the things that are going on in the classroom and the school are great ways to build that relationship and to enhance the student’s academic achievement and