Supporting Linguistically and Culturally Diverse Learners in English Education
Preamble
- English teachers and educators play a role in the reproduction of inequalities.
- Aim to create classrooms that challenge racial, cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic inequalities.
- Document provides beliefs and recommendations for supporting diverse learners.
Document Structure
- Philosophical and practical base for literacy classrooms.
- Eight principles outlined and expanded with suggestions and resources.
Eight Beliefs for Supporting Diverse Learners
Belief 1: Respect for All Learners
- Recognize and respect all learners as individuals with culturally defined identities.
- Activities include celebrating diverse cultural practices and personal histories.
Belief 2: Funds of Knowledge
- Incorporate students’ cultural and language experiences into classroom practice.
- Activities include community ethnographies and culturally relevant texts.
Belief 3: Inquiring into Practice
- Teachers should use ethnographic tools to understand students better.
- Activities include community participation and documenting student progress.
Belief 4: Variety of Educational Experience
- Provide a wide range of critical educational experiences.
- Activities include examining popular culture and creating autobiographies.
Belief 5: Modeling Practice
- Educators need to model culturally responsive practices.
- Activities include discussions on reading preferences and culturally relevant texts.
Belief 6: Critical Users of Language
- Teach mainstream power codes while respecting students’ home codes.
- Activities include composing across codes and dialectical translations.
Belief 7: Crossing Cultural Boundaries
- Teachers should cross boundaries to pursue social justice and equity.
- Activities include cultural community projects and interviews.
Belief 8: Teaching as a Political Act
- Teaching should advocate for social justice and equity.
- Activities include community-based research and critical education texts.
References
- Includes multiple key references for further reading on multicultural education and critical literacy practices.
Contributors
- Document created by participants and authors from various universities as part of a CEE Summit.
Contact
This document serves as a guide for educators to support linguistically and culturally diverse learners by embracing diversity, incorporating students' backgrounds into teaching, and advocating for equity and social justice in education.