teaching in multicultural classrm

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Teaching In ADiverse/Multicultural/International Classroom

Anita Nahal, Ph.D.International Affairs and Womens Studies Programs

Graduate School

Former Associate Professor of HistorySri Venkateswara College, University of Delhi, India

Founder & Chairperson: www.diversitydiscover.com


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Diversity at an HBCU

despite their history of exclusion and commitmentto providing a quality education for students whohave been marginalized elsewhere, HBCUs havebeen conspicuous by their absence, with a fewexceptions, in national debates about diversityArethere distinctive diversity issues which emergebecause of our particular socio cultural contexts,special missions, unique histories, nature of ourstudent bodies and faculties.

---Anna Julia Cooper, Professor, Womens Studies,Spellman College


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Multiculturalism at an HBCU

HBCUs are minority serving institutions, in a country where they areminorities but in their own institutions they are a majority and havetheir own minorities.

Let us debunk some mis conceptions that some may have aboutHBCUs regarding the demographic constituency therein. First,African Americans are not monolithic. Further, Blacks are notmonolithic. And third, it is not necessary that all people of colorthink alike.

Minorities such as White, Hispanic, Caucasian non American,AsianEast, West, South and North Asian, Middle Eastern,Native American, African, Caribbean and so forth interact invarious situations and levels; students, staff, faculty at HBCUs.


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Multiculturalism at an HBCU

Resembling something like a Radial Venn, circles of ideas/peopleslap, over lap and interact with each other.John Venn, British Mathematician, 1843-1923.


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Some Questions To Ponder Over

Is the color of someones skin important to you in how you relate tothem?

Is race/ethnicity important to you in how you relate to someone? How do you perceive people in ethnic clothes? How important is the accent of another person? How do cultural differences impact upon your interaction with those

different than you? How does diversity/difference of any kind effect youracial, ethnic,

religious, linguistic, national origin, sexual orientation, gender etc

________________________________________________________________

Frans JohanssonThe Medici Effect:

When you step into an intersection of fields, disciplines, orcultures, you can combine existing concepts into a largenumber of extraordinary new ideas.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocWmWjTk1FI&feature=related


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US Classrooms are GLOBALWhether domestic or International

Where You Came From and What you Knew: Ideas/Ideals/Cultural, political,economic, religious, personal concepts and beliefs, etc you bring with you

Where You Are Now and Will Learn About: The new environment which could besomewhat or entirely different from what you have known and bring with you

Your move was voluntary (in most cases): Something about this city, country, itssystem and people, something about this university appealed to you

Questions of adjustment, emotional, physical, personal and professional will beuppermost in your mind

CULTURE SHOCKHONEYMOON PHASEQUESTIONING PHASE

ACCULTURALIZATION/ADAPTING PHASEREALIZATION PHASE


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LAWS methodinside and outside the classroom its

all a question of survival and being good at it!

* L: LEARNAbout your chosen university, its mission,

vision, core values and the motto. Learnabout the educational system of your chosencountry. Learn about the country. Learn asmuch possible about the students in yourclass. Learn about the academic requirementsof the course you will teach, semester system,

class/es per week, evaluation system etc.* A: APPRECIATE

Diversity, Difference in opinions, Differentteaching methods, Different living habits,social customs/cultural mores and religious

and political beliefs.


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LAWS method-continuedinside and outside the classroom

all a question of survival and being good at it!

* W: WILLINGTo learn new things, to adapt to new and different

environment, to improvise, to communicate simply, clearly,broadmindedly, to initiate a dialogue with students, to

reach out.

* S:SURVIVE

By remaining focused---Why you came to this

country/city? By protecting yourselffinancially and

personally. By accepting that positives and negatives go

hand in hand. By being productivedo not forget your

goals, fulfill them and make a grand future for yourself!


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SPOD MethodSimple Preparation Objectively Delivered

Teaching Methodology CommunicationStrategy

1) How to approach the course . English/accent/differentwords

2) Reading and other material . Make lectures Interesting3) Audio-Visual teaching Aids . Make yourself accessible4)

Assessment method . Be a Role Model

1) Before coming to the university, if you know what you are going to teach,prepare thoroughly---it will give you a head start

2) Make your class lectures simple, clear and interesting. Leave time for questions3) Have handouts if necessary

4) Ask students to make a list of questions/ points they do not understand aftereach class and then discuss these with you.

5) First ten minutes in each class, revise previous class material6) Be willing to accept if you do not know the answer. Do not give a wrong

answer. Get back the next day with the right answer7) Never forget sensitivity to issues of race, ethnicity, religion, cultural, gender or

any other differences


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If students talk and seem disinterested ask them, Would you like tocontribute to what I am saying? Or Do you have some opinions onwhat I am saying? Or Please share with the class your opinions on

this.

If students ask you to repeat and still do not understand a particularword, do not appear nervous, irritated or ignore. Smile and write theword on the blackboard.

Do not feel conscious about your accent or different words that you

might use. Speak slowly and pronounce each syllable. CETLA hastapes that you can take home and listen and try to change youraccent to suit the American one. Change????

If a student/students disagree with you on any point, dont insist onpushing your opinion. Teaching and learning is about disagreeing

No matter what personal problems you have do not carry these to theclassroom

Maintain office hours and find time to discuss studentproblems/questions/concerns.

Speak with confidence. As international/domestic students you bringa lot to the table! Your difference itself is your wealthbe proud,share, enjoy BUT dont be cocky!

Final Dos and Don'ts


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YOUTUBE VIDEOS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQtzQn1Rvc8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDhXD25fmMo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQtzQn1Rvc8http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQtzQn1Rvc8http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQtzQn1Rvc8http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQtzQn1Rvc8


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Contact Info

[email protected]

202-806-7887
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]

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