Teaching Children Who Come from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds

Language is very individual, not everyone will think the same, this is the same for children, from the moment we are born we are exposed to the world of language, this isn’t just verbally, we use written language also. Language is something we do in our everyday life’s, it is something we learn from the world we socialise in and in our culture, children will mimic those around them and, learn language themselves by interpreting the world around them. We use language every day to express our thoughts, feelings, create and maintain social relationships. “All language written, spoken and visual-arises from cultural and social contexts and is understood by people in terms of their social and cultural backgrounds” (Campbell, R & Green, D. (2006). pg 2). This is where children in classrooms are influenced by social and culture backgrounds. How children learn in the classroom will depend greatly on their exposures they have had in life, does their culture practice of language and literacy compliment or conflict the practices that is expected at school. There is no right or wrong answer, it is very much expected that not all children will practice at home what is expected at schools, This is why as teachers, we need to be aware that not all children are the same, as we are not, they may use language differently , so “ Teachers are therefore faced with the task of observing children, locating their interests and needs as well as their uses of language” (Campbell, R & Green, D. (2006). Pg 6). Children want to feel they are in an insider regardless of their past learning, all schools should be able to assist children transition into learning at school. When it comes to teaching literacy and language, “All children are from differing language and cultural backgrounds, children with

For the Purpose of this study EAL will be used to describe any child with English as an Additional Language. Information from the January 2012 schools census found that over one million children in the United Kingdom now speak another language in addition to English. It also found that there are over three hundred and sixty languages spoken in primary schools. These children can range from beginner speakers of English, such as refugees or asylum seekers, to those who are advanced speakers of English who have grown up at home with both English and another language being spoken (Webster, 2011)

The learning provisions for development in literacy are extremely important and can be reached by using their language skills. They learn to communicate with others through three main ways: they are Speaking, Reading and Writing. These three areas interact with each other and develop the Childs self-expression and imagination. They must be given the opportunity within all different subject areas to use and extend their language so that their thinking skills progress to a higher level.

Many parents believe that it is better not to speak English. When this happens the students will not receive the practice that they really need. The student must know their parents’ language it is imperative to the student’s cultural identity and has to maintain a healthy relationship with their family. Parents’ have concerns about using their native language with their children include: learning another language is too difficult it will delay their language development; the child will not be able to master either language; they will not be as proficient as the students who know one language; confusing the two languages will happen; and they will communicate in English with an accent. The school should address these concerns before the school year begins.

The report includes the use of research in linking to theories of language development and supporting children with EAL, practice, parent partnership in the form of gaining information on the interests of the child, observations, role of practitioners, and peers. Parents were also encouraged to stay within sessions.

It then suggests that parents should maintain their home language with their children as learning their first language at home can benefit the child by making it easier for them to learn and better understand basic grammatical and linguistic rules of a second language. This also prevents the possibility for the child to lose the ability to speak their home language, as it should be supported and consolidated at home by the family.

In a country like America where people all over the world come to obtain a better future for themselves and their children, there is a large diversity in culture and languages. Most immigrant families come to America speaking a different language and have to adapt to the American language, English. However, several people do not learn English or have difficulty learning it. Usually older people struggle to learn English because they do not have time. Though, children may not have a hard time learning the English language because they are often sent to school. Currently children are now expected to learn a new foreign language, but most of the children’s families would like them to continue speaking their native language as well.

The Early Years Learning Framework’s Outcome 2: Children are connected with and contributed to their world, provides strategies educators can use to help children respond to diversity with respect. Educators can promote this by:

When these non-English-speaking children arrive at their local school for the first time, they will unfairly be expected to perform at the same level academically as their English-speaking peers, and this will be a big challenge for them because they will have a hard time understanding what their teachers are teaching and what their textbooks are saying. In addition, learning the English language is especially important for young English language learners who have recently immigrated to the United States because they have an additional and serious responsibility beyond just adding a new language; once they do begin to pick up the language, they will more than likely have to take on the role of translator for their parents and will become the sole line of communication between their non-English speaking parents and the school’s teachers, guidance counselors and administrators.

There are a number of strategies you can use to enrich children’s understanding and respect for cultural identities. The first would be to establish a good knowledge of all the different cultures and backgrounds of the children and families who attend our centre, this is initially done through enrolment paperwork. Talking and forming good relationships with families is another way to gain insight into different cultures. Once this has been done you can incorporate this knowledge into the program and curriculum within the room. By incorporating different cultures into the room you are showing children that everyone, interesting and valued. Show and tell group times are a great way to showcase a culture, for example, a child could bring in a

I’ve always I thought I was a pretty good teacher. I’ve been selected as a STAR teacher and Teacher of the Year. But after reading Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain, I had to seriously self-reflect, and I came to the realization that if I had read and implemented the suggestions in the book perhaps I would have touched student’s lives on a deeper level, a long-term neurological life-changing level. My heart and intent were pure, but did I reach as many students as I could have? I have always been focused on getting my students to be interested in their studies and to give it their all. I’ve been told many times by them, “You do too much.” I took that as a compliment because I have always tried to motivate them to want to excel, not just in school, but in life. After reading Hammond’s book, I see that I must overhaul my thinking and my methods. By following the techniques suggested in Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain I can grow in my individual approach to each student and grow more confident that they can each reach and achieve their best.

According to Belonging, Being & Becoming, the Educators’ Guide ‘we need to ‘think about our own values, beliefs and attitudes related to diversity and difference and acknowledge and address any bias that we may hold’. As well as critically examining our own assumptions, ‘cultural competence’ requires early childhood educators to take a strong approach to countering racism and bias when we encounter it. This will require educators to make a conscious decision to promote children’s cultural competence in order to build and maintain an inclusive Australian society.

In order to encourage parents and children to continue to use their native language at home educators can send home notes that are translated into their native language. Progress reports and report cards as well as notes home to the family should be translated into the native language as well. By doing this the family will feel welcome into the school community and will be a part of their child’s education simply by knowing how the child is progressing.

This report is on Te Whariki: Early Childhood Curriculum in which we follow as a framework for teaching in New Zealand. This report is going to cover the three broad age groups Te Whariki is based upon. It will explain the principles and strands of Te Whariki and the impact it has on a developing child. It will describe the purpose of Te Whariki and discuss ways it is used by early childhood education services throughout New Zealand. It will describe Te Whariki’s support for bi-culturalism throughout the early childhood sector. This report will discuss the importance of a partnership between home and the early childhood education settings, and will also discuss the Urie Bronfenbrenner’s ecological system theory and how

Language is one of the valuable gifts which have been passed to children. The first language is significant and builds the basis for all later language progresses. Parents, family members and early childhood professionals have very important role on the development and maintenance of the first language. Studies shows that knowing one language can assist the child to comprehend how other languages work. First or home language is