Approaches to multicultural

education
The ethnic heroes and holidays are included in the curriculum

1. Contributions approach
A unit or course is incorporated (for example, a unit on women in
history), but no substantial change is made to the curriculum as a
whole.

2. Additive approach
The entire Eurocentric nature of the curriculum is changed.
Students are taught to view events and issues from diverse ethnic
and cultural perspectives.

3. Transformative approach
 The entire Eurocentric nature of the curriculum is changed.
Students are taught to view events and issues from diverse ethnic
• It goes
andbeyond
culturaltheperspectives.
transformation approach. Students not only learn to view
issues from multiple perspectives but also become directly involved in solving

4. Social action approach

Functions of subculture
Subcultures perform specific
functions such as:
1. Permitting specialized
activity
2. Identity in mass society
3. Cultural adaptation and
change
Cultural dimensions of learning, teaching and
educational processes
• Any discussion of social-cultural influences on development stress that cultures
differ in their views of acceptable child-rearing practices. As a result of these
differing beliefs, children of various cultures may think and act differently and
carry these differences into the classroom.
What is culturally-responsive teaching?
• Inclusive content in the curriculum that reflects the diversity of society. In
effect students from diverse backgrounds see themselves and their experiences
in the curriculum.
• Students prior knowledge, including their culture and language.
• The idea that culture is central to student learning, because there is strong
evidence that culture practices affect the thinking process.
Culturally-responsive teaching
encompasses these elements
• Communication of high expectations
• Active teaching methods that promote student engagement
• Teacher as a facilitator
• Positive perspectives on parents and families of culturally and linguistically
diverse students
• Cultural sensitivity
• Reshaping the curriculum so that it is culturally responsive to the background
of students
• Small group instruction and academically-related discourse
Culturally responsive teaching acknowledges cultural diversity in
classrooms and accommodates this diversity in instruction

1. By recognizing and accepting student diversity, it communicates that

students are welcome and valued as human beings.
2. By building on students’ cultural backgrounds, culturally responsive
teaching communicates positive images about the students’ home cultures.
3. By being responsive to different student learning styles, culturally-
responsive teaching builds on students’ strengths and uses these to help
students learn.
Effective teachers accept and value their students
as human beings
If the teacher understands about the students’ cultures,
he/she may use them to develop students’ personal
pride of their own cultures. He/she could develop and
create a learning environment that meets the emotional
needs of different cultural groups.
Teacher who recognize that students come from homes
where behavioral and interaction pattern differ from
those expected in the classroom are in a better position
to adapt their instruction than those who have a
narrower view of acceptable classroom behavior