Teachers and educators must ensure that classrooms are culturally diverse and inclusive. Students should ensure that their classroom is inclusive and makes them feel welcomed. Embracing inclusivity and raising awareness about different cultures will benefit all students.
Creating multicultural awareness will make students from different cultures and backgrounds feel included. It will also make them successful and accept people different from them. They will learn how to respect one another in the classroom and outside. It will also help them succeed in various diverse settings outside the class, which will help them in the real world. Since diversity is all around us and will only continue, educators need to prepare their students. Teachers must teach them adaptability in a rapidly developing world that will encourage them to accept and embrace others.
Below we will talk about six ways to make classrooms inclusive and culturally diverse, which will raise culturally aware students.
One of the most crucial things educators should start with is creating an inclusive and diverse curriculum. Students will learn better if diversity is present in the lesson plans. If teachers or educators are unsure how to do this, they can educate themselves more. They can opt for an online program in educational leadership to improve their skills and learn how to make a more inclusive curriculum. There are many ways to create diverse lesson plans that will depend on the different cultures in the classrooms. A few ways educators can add inclusivity in the class is by using references and examples of diverse cultures relatable to students of different cultures. It will help them do well in class and give other students a chance to learn about other cultures.
They can also teach things and rituals from different cultures and traditions that some students do not know. Promoting cultural awareness is much easier and simpler to understand with relatable examples.
An inclusive classroom must have teachers that are understanding of every student. Teachers must put in the effort to learn the names of their students. They should also treat them all as unique individuals. A bonus would be to remember each student’s culture, hobbies, and other unique attributes. Students will feel special and valued if their teachers care for them.
When students feel that their teachers are taking an interest in learning about them, they will automatically trust and feel safe with them. Through this, a bond will develop, and they will feel comfortable and safe with them. It will also make students respect their peers and respectfully talk to them. It will build respect with one another and their diverse cultures.
While it is important to know your students, that is not the only thing in building inclusivity. Teachers should also communicate with their students regularly. They can check in on their students, both academically and personally. It will help the students feel included, and the teachers will gain insights into how the curriculum is working with everyone. Students will share if they feel included and if they understand the lessons. Different students will have various responses, which will give teachers an idea of how to improve their classrooms if needed.
Communicating with the students will also improve the overall learning experience for everyone. Teachers can also give students guidance on improving themselves, depending on each student’s progress.
A crucial thing teachers must be careful about is cultural sensitivity. They should not mock or disrespect anyone’s culture, religion, or background. They should understand the beliefs and cultures of every student to use as insights for their curriculum. They should also
be understanding of every student’s language and learning styles and accommodate them accordingly. They can help struggling students with the relevant material in their preferred learning method, which will help them understand better.
When teachers create a learning environment that is interactive, culturally sensitive, inclusive, and up to date, students feel confident and learn better. Students will also feel valued, which will enable success as they could study in their own comfort zone.
Making a classroom inclusive involves giving students freedom and flexibility in doing work. Teachers should not be strict and should be understanding towards their students. They can allow some freedom in the course material, assignments, etc. Some students may need extra help, and being strict will not make the learning process easier.
Teachers can also allow students the freedom to do assignments how they see fit. Having a standardized exam for everyone will not make the curriculum culturally diverse, and the learning would become difficult for some. Giving students the option to pick their own topics will make them work better. Teachers can also encourage group work to make students from diverse cultures work together. They will share different opinions and look at things from many perspectives.
An essential thing that educators should ensure is safety in the classrooms. They must ensure that the students feel safe and secure in class. The classrooms should be a safe space and a safe learning environment for all students. Students and teachers should mutually respect one another. Students must listen to their teachers, and the teachers should also listen to student requests or queries.
To make the classroom a safe space for all, teachers should not neglect a particular group of students based on their religion or culture. They should also not discriminate amongst the students. Teachers can develop inclusive and culturally diverse rules that will protect against any hate speech, violence, or harassment. Students must also know how to talk about certain sensitive issues and be respectful towards one another. They should be careful not to hurt anyone’s feelings if their views are different from someone else.
​Final Thoughts
Making an inclusive and culturally diverse classroom is a must-have nowadays. Students must know how to respect one another. It will help them groom and prepare them for the diverse world. When they go out in the real world, as adults, they should know that every individual should be treated with respect no matter any difference in culture.
School teachers and educator leaders can make the classroom inclusive by planning a diverse and inclusive curriculum for all students. Teachers should also build strong relationships and communication skills with the students. It will make the students feel safe and valued. They must also give students some flexibility in how they work, and everyone should respect each other’s culture and be sensitive towards it.
