Welcome to your culturally diverse classroom!
We'd like to share some insights, tips and resources to help you create a positive learning environment for everyone in your class. Find help for immediate challenges, learn more about international students and ESL support and test your understanding with real-life case studies.
We'd like to share some insights, tips and resources to help you create a positive learning environment for everyone in your class. Find help for immediate challenges, learn more about international students and ESL support and test your understanding with real-life case studies.
Through the eyes of an international studentMeet Ngan, Mohit, Yash and Trevor. Four international students comment on the difference between here and "home" - and give us tips on how we can improve their experience. Click image for video.
"Everything was foggy. I couldn't see. It didn't feel like my life." Former Columbia University international student Dan Fishel talks to new Columbia students about his own experience as an international student. Click image for video.
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Setting the classroom climateCelebrate differences, and at the same time make it clear to your students that yours is a respectful classroom environment that where prejudice will not be tolerated. Visit the resources page for activities and best practices.
Add important religious and cultural days to your DC Connect calendars. Be prepared to allow students to honour significant days appropriately.
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How international students are prepared for the classroomInternational students must meet English language requirements to be accepted at Durham. Once here, students attend seminars and mandatory SALS workshops for academic success (view workshop video) and plagiarism (view workshop video).
The International Office also organizes student events and offers support for students and faculty. |
Support for your ESL and EAL students
One of the key challenges to a diverse classroom is your students' ability to speak and write English at a post-secondary level.
In this video (click image), Eric Gustavson, SALS ESL specialist) and Nicky Patel, SALS manager, give a brief overview of how they can help your ESL or EAL (English as an Additional Language) students. For tips you can use in the classroom, view the SALS "Success Strategies" booklet or visit the ESL Learner website. |
When You Need Help NowThe Diversity Office offers mediation services for diversity conflict.
Refer troubled or isolated students to Durham's counselling services. The International Office can remind your international students about Durham classroom expectations. CAFE provides resources and support to help you respond to challenges. Read policies & procedures for Academic Integrity, Students Rights & Responsibilities, Harassment & Discrimination and more. |
Tips & ResourcesVisit our resource page for tips on group work, plagiarism and other common issues, as well as further reading for insight and ideas.
"Education is all a matter of building bridges."
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What Would You Do?Check the tips & resources on this site. Then try your hand at "solving" the real life case studies in this Word document.
1. "Helping" or Cheating? (copying assignments) 2. United We Fall (group work) 3. Don't Make Me Participate (class participation) 4. If Only I Could Write in Russian (written English) 5. Suggestive Miscommunication (getting students to ask for help) 6. Where's Your Source? (Plagiarism) 7. Tell Me What you Want (Assignments) 8. A Test of Tolerance (Test-taking) 9. "Skipping" or Missing? (Attendance) 10. They'll Pull My Mark Down (group work) Now check what the experts have to say! |