Culturally+Responsive+Teaching

"Culturally Responsive Teaching is a pedagogy that recognises the importance of including students' cultural references in all aspects of learning" (Teaching Diverse Learners, 2006). An article found on a website called 'The Education Alliance' stressed how important it is to be culturally responsive when teaching. It states that culture plays a role not only in communicating and recieving information, but also in shaping the thinking process of groups and individuals. The writers of this article believe that "a pedagogy that acknowledges, responds to, and celebrates fundamental cultures offers full, equitable access to education for students from all cultures" (Teaching Diverse Learners, 2006).

The Article then goes on to explain the 7 characteristics of culturally responsive teaching:

1. Positive perspectives on parents and families 2. Communication of high expectations 3. Learning within the context of culture 4. Student centered instruction 5. Culturally mediated instruction 6. Reshaping the curriculum 7. Teacher as facilitator (See Website for further explanation) (Teaching Diverse Learners, 2006)

This article is a very important teaching strategy that should be used in all classrooms. Teachers may sometimes disregard Culture as an important aspect to take into consideration when teaching a class and catering for the needs of all students. Different cultures have different beliefs, backgrounds, values, morals and understanding of the way things are taught and understood so it is very important for teachers to take into consideration the 7 characterstics of culturally responsive teaching, and to apply them and integrate them into everyday teaching to cater for all students.

//Teaching Diverse Learners.// (2006). Viewed on the 20th July 2011, from []