Embracing bilingualism in the classroom
Bilingual individuals are more tolerant of alternate languages and perceive language as an important cultural trait (Hamers & Blanc, 2000). Reflect on your own cultural background. Be cognizant of your own values and beliefs that you bring to the classroom and the impact of these values and beliefs. The following are a few practical classroom suggestions for fostering cultural diversity in your classroom and school:
Create a classroom environment that embraces cultural diversity:
Connect with families through:
Connecting on a community level could be achieved through the school events:
Build on family assets:
Create a classroom environment that embraces cultural diversity:
- Welcome parental involvement in their child’s education
- Invite parents and family members to volunteer in the class and school
- Invite parents (or other family members) to share as an ‘expert’ during a class inquiry project (important to get to know each family so you have an idea about how they could contribute in this way)
- Create opportunities for children to teach both teacher and classmates about his/her language and culture
- Integrate art, music and movement; make learning visible through photographs and children’s work
Connect with families through:
- Email
- A class blog
- Telephone calls
- Conversations at drop-off/pick-up time
Connecting on a community level could be achieved through the school events:
- Terry Fox run (and address why he is important to Canada)
- Multi-cultural Days
- A school potluck: the variety of dishes is wonderful!
- ‘Take Five’: families are invited to enjoy a few minutes with their children over a muffin and a cup of coffee prior to the start of the school day. Staff mingle amongst the families.
Build on family assets:
- Me Bag - students are invited to bring items that reflect who they are and what is important to them
- Family of the Week
- Family Treasure Box
- Sharing Basket - share items that were handmade for them or by them
- Share /record stories - stories about children’s families (may need to be scribed)
- Create dual-language books where the home language portion is completed at home