Cultural Sensitivity In The Classroom

Cultural sensitivity requires that teachers interpret their students' behaviors within the cultural context of the student. They understand the cultures represented in their classrooms, and reflect on the instructional implications brought about by this cultural knowledge. Then, they develop learning tasks that are meaningful to the student.

I advocate for the statements presented in the reading: “Children whose language and culture correspond more closely to that of the school have an advantage in the learning process. Children whose experiences are devalued or unrecognized become alienated and disengaged from the learning process.”

I am teaching an AP Spanish Culture and Language course at Piedra Vista High School. The AP Spanish Language and Culture Course takes a holistic approach to language proficiency, and in today’s global community, competence in more than one language is an essential part of communication and cultural understanding. Advanced language learning provides students with social, cultural, academic and workplace benefits that will serve students throughout their lives. The reading “Cultural Responsive Teaching” presents practice that teachers used as enrichment to inspire students in the learning process. The practices are:

• Communication of high expectations

• Active teaching methods

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Options include, but are not limited to: attending an art exhibit, musical show or play; preparing a meal while following recipes written in Spanish; regular correspondence throughout email; Skype or Face Time with heritage speakers in a Spanish-speaking country; viewing of important events involving target language speakers; hosting a student from a Spanish speaking country, going out to have dinner at a Hispanic restaurant, and