Tips & Resources for your culturally diverse classroom
Good teaching for students of different cultural backgrounds is just... good teaching!
"When the learners enter the classroom, they don’t divest themselves of their cultural experiences or their linguistic background. They bring all of that with them. It is incumbent upon the teacher to accommodate that wide array of learners.”
Marjorie Hall Haley, George Mason University
Tips for successful group work*Do not let students self-select their groups. Group selection is one of the most stressful situations an international / ESL student can face.
*ESL students tend to perform better in a group of three rather than a pair *Be explicit about expectations * Review various functions of group members * Provide time for group members to get to know one another - here's an activity that might help * Have a discussion with the class on the purpose of group work and the value that a diverse group of individuals can bring to a project |
Tips for dealing with plagiarism*All international students attend compulsory acculturation and plagiarism workshops
* Consequences for plagiarism should be consistent across the class *Reiterate what constitutes plagiarism in class *Suggest ALL students complete the SALS plagiarism workshop either by video, face to face or on DC Connect. * Remind all students that sharing work with another student is not acceptable * Scaffold citation assignments * Give written feedback in typed or printed format, as some students won't be able to read cursive. |
General Tips & Food for Thought* It can help to explore your own cultural background and pre-conceptions as a teacher
* Durham international students are told upon arrival that they must speak English in the classroom * Exemplars, clear & easy-to-understand steps presented in multiple means of representation are examples of good teaching for everyone * Early assessment and intervention is key * Get to know students at the beginning of semester, by asking them to write about themselves * Refer student to SALS for writing or other issues * Don't "suggest" steps for self-improvement: "require" them * Being international or having English as a second or additional language is not a disability * Have zero tolerance for cheating on exams or tests - consider using different versions of the test, allocating seats, using the test centre or dividing the class in two to allow for more space between students "He who is different from me does not impoverish me – he enriches me."
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Durham Resources* Eric Gustavsen, ESL Specialist, SALS, Ext. 2220
* Fiona Richards, Director, International Education, Ext. 3365 * Durham College International Student Handbook. Print copies available at the International Office, SSB210 * Nicky Patel, Manager, SALS Ext. 2438 * Diversity Office, Ext. 2856 SALS materials: * Academic Success for ESL Students (PDF) * Avoiding Plagiarism Workshop (YouTube Video) * Success Strategies for Supporting International & ESL Students (PDF) Other Resources & Reading* Diversity in the Classroom: Derek Bok Centre for Teaching & Learning. Harvard University website.
* "Crossing Boundaries: A Brown & White Interrogation of Race and Social Class". A context paper exploring two teachers' cultural backgrounds. View Word document. * "Danger of a Single Story". TED Talk Video * "Guidelines for Inclusive Language" Online PDF * "40 Icebreakers for Small Groups" Online PDF * Diversity group activity Word document * Report on International Students in Canada. Website |