Australian classrooms are made up of students from a variety of countries, bringing with them different cultures, backgrounds, and language. Teachers need to be aware of the diversity of languages that children will bring into the classroom (Gardener, 2017c) and make the classroom culturally inclusive for all students. Aboriginal students speak English (Ewing, 2016). However, they also speak Aboriginal English which includes traditional Aboriginal words which are brought into the classroom. Williams (as cited in Woolfolk & Margetts, 2013, p. 51) points out the Aboriginal English can vary across Australia states, therefore, there is no one language amongst Aboriginal people. Harrison and Sellwood (2011) explain that each variety of Aboriginal English has different meanings for words, grammatical rules, and …show more content…
To achieve a culturally inclusive classroom, teachers must look into the backgrounds of their students and educate themselves any language differences. Woolfolk and Margetts (2011) assert the point that teachers must not have any prejudice towards students, they must accept their traditional language and find a balance between their first language and Australian English. Ewing (2016) suggests that incorporating a culturally inclusive pedagogy is crucial to honour classroom diversity and this can be achieved through text. By choosing books that share historical Aboriginal stories not only embraces their cultural background, but it also provides knowledge to all children about “Australia’s rich linguistic” history (Ewing, 2016, p. 84).
Children use language from an early age and they
The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority [ACARA] strongly express that the needs of all students are equally important regardless of their background and the importance of changing lesson plans to suit the needs of every student in their classroom. Green and Campbell (2006)
A graduate teacher should have a broad knowledge and understanding of cultural differences, including the impact of culture, cultural identity and linguistics backgrounds and the implications of these differences for students from Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal backgrounds. A graduate teacher, when leading discussions or questioning students must consider how they will be received. Korff (2014) provides the example, “Aboriginal students can avoid direct eye contact with an adult as it is considered rude in Aboriginal culture” (para 3). Korff (2014) also suggest that many Aboriginal students do not ask or answer questions, because traditionally, Aboriginal culture is handed down from generation to generation in the form of song, poetry, dance and story- telling. Establishing rapport, celebrating diversity and respecting differences in the classroom e.g., cultural awareness activities and knowing how to talk to and build relationships with students of all cultures and backgrounds, would be an example of how a graduate teacher can demonstrate their understanding of Focus area
This essay will discuss the Aboriginal Education policies in Victoria and Federally and how these policies impacted upon the children of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. This essay will further analyse the impact these past policies had on the Aboriginal and Torres strait Islanders’ families and children’s education and how current policies were put in place to assist indigenous students’ access to education. Further to this an analysis of how teachers can implement these changes in the curriculum and classroom.
Consequently, this means all types virtual backpacks, cultural capital, socioeconomic status and other factors need to be valued. Part of value adding is getting the community involved. A multicultural café event was set up at a small school in Sydney that has a high socioeconomic status and a small amount of students with a language background other than English (LBOTE), this was woven into the curriculum over two terms (Ferfolja, 2015). What they found was that the students participated enthusiastically, however very few parents of the LBOTE students attended and some of the cafés were not accurate. As education changes in line with social justice when curriculum, pedagogy and assessment is altered there can be unfavorable effects too. Australia had schemes to promote the education outcomes of girls and consequently these changes in curriculum and the assessment process have been viewed as too successful by some and policy has consequently shifted to boys educational outcomes (Marks, 2009). Curriculum changes can be a long process, however necessary as some children find the curriculum problematic. The Australian curriculum can be seen as linguistically foreign, culturally insensitive or inappropriate for Indigenous (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) children who are in school (Kenyon, Sercombe, Black, & Lhuede, 2001). As indigenous children are a part of the least privileged and significantly disadvantaged group in Australia (C. Mills & Gale, 2010), social justice is failing educating those students. The Australia curriculum, which has been accessible since 2010, declares that it is committed to a curriculum that promotes excellence and equity in education in addition to teachers using the curriculum to assist in physical, social and aesthetic needs of all students amongst other factors (Australian Curriculum,
The development of a national curriculum for Australia is not a new endeavour (Marsh, 2010). The ideal is that national curriculum across Australia would mean that students are provided with a quality education that helps to shape the lives of the nations citizens and continue developing the productivity and quality of life within Australia. The Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority [ACARA] have the task of developing and implementing a nationwide curriculum. ACARA (n.d.-c) claims have addressed needs of young Australians while considering that changing ways in learning and challenges will continue to shape students education in the future. A look at what the Australian Curriculum is, its purpose, structure and scope, learning theories and teaching processes and whether the curriculum has the capacity to meet the needs of 21st century learners will show that the initial construction of a national curriculum appears to be successful. However, the effectiveness of the Australian Curriculum will only be able to be evaluated in the future after implementation across the country.
These principles include suggestions for dealing with their implications such as the use of multiple methods to convey information, providing explicit instruction in academic language, incorporating primary language supports, making expectations clear, and using testing accommodations when appropriate (2010). Characteristics of culturally responsive instruction include high expectations, positive relationships with families and communities, cultural sensitivity, active teaching methods, student control of portions of the lesson, and instruction around groups and pairs to create low anxiety (2010).
Our schools today contains a diverse population of students from different ethnic backgrounds. As educators we need to make sure we are applying culturally responsive teaching. Katie Toppel describes “applying culturally responsive teaching practices in a classroom benefits students along with having a positive effect on students coming from a diverse background. “Gay (2 010) defines culturally responsive instruction as “using cultural knowledge, prior experiences, frames of reference, and performance styles of ethnically diverse students to make learning encounters more relevant to and effective for them” (p. 31). Toppel explains there are three different themes which pertains to culturally responsive teaching method. Those three themes are “culturally appropriate texts, (2) engaging students’ voices, and (3) incorporating students’ funds of knowledge (Bell & Clark, 1 998; Hefflin, 002; Howard, 2 001; Ladson-Billings, 1 992; Morrison, Robinson, & Gregory Rose, 2008 ; Powell, 1997 ; Toppel, 2013 ). According to (Toppel), As educators teaching students who come from a culturally and linguistically diverse background we as educators need to remember to care for the students along with building some form of relationship. Other
Culturally relevant pedagogy uses inclusive practices to meet the needs of all learners. These methods include teaching that integrates students’ backgrounds and experiences into the curriculum and learning experience. In doing so, teachers using culturally responsive pedagogy must: (1) hold high expectations and affirming views of all learners; (2) provide room for all students’ to make meaningful connection to learning content; and (3) create a safe and positive classroom climate fostering respect and care for students. As we review certain approaches of implementing best practices to meet the needs of RCELD students, we must also remember that it takes long-term commitment to inclusive practices in education in order to address the inequitable structures that contribute to issues such as the achievement gap.
The world is filled with diverse people that have many different cultures. Throughout the years, culture along with many other factors changed the way linguistics evolved. This created evolved versions of how we understand language today. English changed to Englishes, literacy changed to multiliteracies and variation in languages is major. It’s important to note that the evolution of language was important for teachers to understand and connect with their students. Creating pedagogies that suit specific children and show students the importance of learning Australian standard English to be able to function well in Australia but also to keep any cultural English they may have and make sure they feel comfortable with their culture.
Today, cultural diversity is omnipresent in Australian schools. Despite extensive research into this area and suggestions made by many researchers, the teacher education programs in Australia have not responded well enough to accommodate the need of our CALD pupils, by updating the contents of teacher education programs. Premier and Miller (2010) emphasised the relevance of the positive flow-on effect of change in teacher education programmes that would lead to changes in school curriculum to develop support for the increasing participation of CALD learners in Australian school
This essay will explore a range of topics in relation to talking about Englishes rather than English and multi-literacies rather than literacy. Firstly the evolution of English; the origins, influences and current English that we use. Then focusing on social class and the effects of an individual’s social class on education; through the exploration in particular of Bernstein’s theory of language codes. Then discussing Englishes and how there can be many Englishes rather than one English language, and how this occurs when English is used as a global language. (Crystal REFERENCE) Aboriginal English is discussed, as it is relevant to teaching in Australia. Recognising the differences in learning and language between Aboriginal Children and non-aboriginal
When dealing with a culturally diverse classroom it is important that you treat each child equally and “throw your personal beliefs out the window”. Teachers can sometimes accidentally be culturally biased with no intent to be but they have an unconscious biased towards certain students. This may because of his or her race, religion, parents but every child has potential and should be given an equal education and opportunity to succeed. Teachers need to be aware of where they stand on certain issues because everyone has their own beliefs and opinions and it is important to not criticize a student beliefs/cultural identity. As a person of authority, always be mindful of what is said in class; criticizing based on your personal beliefs can lead to damaging a student's perception on a certain group of people which in turn can ruin your image as a role model/ mentor to them. Teachers need to understand the individuality of each student and not to treat them differently based on stereotypes perceived about them.
Diversity in classrooms can open student’s minds to all the world has to offer. At times diversity and understanding of culture, deviant experiences and perspectives can be difficult to fulfill, but with appropriate strategies and resources, it can lead students to gain a high level of respect for those unlike them, preferably from a judgmental and prejudiced view. Diversity has a broad range of spectrums. Students from all across the continent; students from political refugees, indigenous Americans, and immigrants bring their cultural and linguistic skills to American classrooms. Students not only bring their cultural and linguistic skills, but they bring their ethnicity, talents, and skills.
With this in mind, it is important to view the role of language in a child’s life as a socio-cultural practise. Green (2006, p.2) explains, how written, oral and visual language all derive from social and cultural contexts, in which children participate and comprehend, based on their own social and cultural backgrounds. Through exposure to language, children become aware of the many varieties within a language, such as dialects, registers, styles, accents and other forms of language including a standard variety (Meecham & Rees-Miller, 2001). Standard Australian English is the official language of Australia, and is in itself a variety of English. However, several varieties of English are spoken in Australia by children with different cultural backgrounds, for example, Aboriginal English, Italian English, and many more. According to Emmitt (2010, p.61), a child who speaks a non-standard variety is not deficient in or deviating from the standard variety, but is speaking a different language variety with its own rules, grammar and
No matter where an Aboriginal child lives it is likely he/she will identify with aspects of Aboriginal culture (Gibson, 1993; Guider 1991)...Aboriginal students’ learning is often based on observation and imitation rather than verbal and written approaches (Harris & Malin 1994). Traditionally, Aboriginal learning is informal and non-verbal, while school learning is largely focused on two-way verbal interactions (Harris & Harris 1988). Aboriginal students need to learn how to use language to learn at school (Graham 1988a, 1988b) and they may feel shame if they are focused on to answer questions (Malin 1990)". ( Matthews, Howard & Perry,
In conducting her research, the author understood that she needed to describe key issues of culturally diverse students, recommend a curriculum approach to address the issues, and discuss the challenges and benefits expected. In reading Cultural and Linguistic Diversity: Issues in Education (2010), s...