The Role of Culture in Teaching English Learners from Coursera

Culture and language are inextricably linked. As teachers, we are often faced with the challenge of teaching both language and elements of culture to our English learners. When these students join our classes, they come equipped with knowledge about their own culture, which may or may not have the same norms and values as the new one they find themselves in. It is not our job, as teachers, to prove that one culture is better than another. Instead, it’s our goal to understand how culture influences one’s identity, affirm our students’ identities in the classroom, and use best practices to teach intercultural communicative competence and promote acceptance and respect for those who are different from us.

This course is designed for early career teachers (0-3 years of experience) to learn about the foundations of culture and the key role that culture plays in teaching English learners. You will also learn about the connection between language and culture and how to appropriately incorporate cultural topics into instruction. We will discuss how culture is an asset in the classroom and ways to celebrate diversity with students.

Throughout this course, you will watch instructional videos and interviews with experienced teachers of English learners. You will read scholarly articles, participate in discussion boards, and complete assignments that will encourage you to think about your practices as a culturally responsive educator. Finally, you will complete this course with a treasure trove of practical tips for integrating culture into your classroom.

By the end of this course, teachers will be better prepared to serve the English learners in their classrooms. They will be able to evaluate curriculum for cultural responsiveness, identify best practices for teaching and assessing intercultural communicative competence, reflect on their own cultural background and how that may influence expectations for students, and create a lesson plan to teach cultural knowledge.

What's inside

Syllabus

What Is Culture?

In Module 1, you will learn about the complex construct of culture and the various factors that influence it. We'll explore the concepts of personal, social, cultural, and linguistic identities and how we can affirm our students' identities in the classroom. You will be able to distinguish between the processes of enculturation and acculturation in order to better understand your English learners' perspectives of learning a new culture. We wrap up the module by reflecting on your own cultural background and the ways in which your life experiences and influences relate to your current points of view.

Getting Comfortable with Culture in the Classroom

Module 2 is all about becoming comfortable with culture, for both teachers and students. We'll become aware of possible implicit biases and power dynamics between teacher and students that may impact learning in the classroom. We'll introduce the concept of culture shock and discuss ways to help newcomer English learners adjust to their new learning environment. You will discover how asset-based pedagogy models, including Culturally Responsive Teaching (CRT), can foster academic success for English learners. We wrap up the module by evaluating curriculum for elements of culturally responsive teaching.

Culture and Communication

In module 3, we will learn about the fundamental connection between culture and communication. You'll discover how culture affects language use and how language and thought are windows into cultural points of view. We introduce the crucial construct of intercultural communicative competence (ICC) and best practices to teach and assess it. You'll define a speech community and gain an understanding of the many speech communities your English learners have to navigate on a daily basis. We wrap up the module by evaluating a lesson for elements of ICC.

Incorporating Culture in the Classroom

The final module in the course aims to provide more practical tips for incorporating culture into the classroom across grade levels and subject areas. You will hear from experts about the various ways in which they have implemented culturally responsive teaching in math, STEM, art, and history. We'll review some traditional classroom activities for teaching about culture. You will gain insight into the best methods for and challenges of assessing cultural knowledge and ICC. We'll also highlight awareness of cultural biases in assessment and how to avoid them. The module wraps up with a lesson planning assignment in which you'll be asked to incorporate activities to teach ICC, cultural content knowledge, or implement culturally responsive teaching methods.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Arranges topics and modules in a way that is useful for beginners

Stresses the benefits of recognizing and understanding cultural backgrounds as a teacher

Provides a toolkit of best practices for making your curriculum more culturally sensitive

Guides teachers on how to implement culturally responsible practices in classroom instruction

Introduces the concept of intercultural communicative competence and discusses its significance in classrooms

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in The Role of Culture in Teaching English Learners with these activities:

Watch the video series on 'Culturally Responsive Teaching'

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This video series will provide you with an overview of culturally responsive teaching and how to implement it in your classroom.

Browse courses on Culturally Responsive Teaching

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Go to the website of the National Education Association (NEA).
Search for the video series on 'Culturally Responsive Teaching'.
Watch the videos.

Complete the Intercultural Communicative Competence Assessment

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Taking this assessment will help you to identify your strengths and weaknesses in intercultural communication.

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Go to the website of the Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition (CARLA).
Click on the link to the Intercultural Communicative Competence Assessment.
Complete the assessment.

Volunteer at a local organization that serves immigrant students

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Volunteering will give you the opportunity to work with immigrant students and learn about their culture and experiences.

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Search for volunteer opportunities at local organizations that serve immigrant students.
Contact the organization and express your interest in volunteering.
Attend a volunteer orientation.

Four other activities

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Join an online discussion group on culture and education

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Participating in an online discussion group will allow you to connect with other educators who are interested in culture and education. You can share ideas, ask questions, and learn from each other.

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Go to the website of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM).
Click on the link to the online discussion group on culture and education.
Join the discussion.

Design a lesson plan that incorporates cultural diversity

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Creating a lesson plan will help you apply the principles of culturally responsive teaching to your own classroom.

Browse courses on Lesson Planning

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Choose a topic that is relevant to your students' lives.
Identify the cultural backgrounds of your students.
Research ways to incorporate cultural diversity into your lesson.
Create a lesson plan that includes activities that are engaging and respectful of all cultures.

Attend a workshop on 'Culturally Responsive Teaching'

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Attending a workshop will help you to learn about the latest research on culturally responsive teaching and how to implement it in your classroom.

Browse courses on Culturally Responsive Teaching

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Search for workshops on 'Culturally Responsive Teaching' in your area.
Register for a workshop.
Attend the workshop.

Participate in the 'Global Education Challenge'

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Participating in a competition can help you to develop your knowledge and skills in culture and education.

Browse courses on Global Education

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Go to the website of the Global Education Challenge.
Register for the competition.
Complete the competition tasks.

Career center

Learners who complete The Role of Culture in Teaching English Learners will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Teacher

A Teacher creates lesson plans and teaches students in a variety of academic subjects. You would help students to learn and understand new concepts, skills, and ideas. This course is designed for early career teachers (0-3 years of experience) to learn about the foundations of culture and the key role that culture plays in teaching English learners. This course may be especially useful to you if you are interested in teaching students who are new to the United States or who come from different cultural backgrounds.

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Instructional Designer

An Instructional Designer creates and develops educational materials and programs. You would work with teachers and other educators to design and implement effective learning experiences. This course may be useful to you if you are interested in working with English learners. You can learn more about the best practices for culturally responsive teaching, which can help you to create inclusive and equitable learning experiences for all students.

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Curriculum Developer

A Curriculum Developer creates and develops educational materials and programs. You would work with teachers and other educators to design and implement effective learning experiences. This course may be useful to you if you are interested in working with English learners. You can learn more about the best practices for culturally responsive teaching, which can help you to create inclusive and equitable learning experiences for all students.

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Sociologist

A Sociologist studies human societies and how they function. You would conduct research on different social groups and how they interact with each other. This course may be useful to you if you are interested in learning more about the role of culture in teaching English learners. You can learn more about the different factors that influence culture and how to affirm your students' identities in the classroom.

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Anthropologist

An Anthropologist studies human societies and cultures. You would conduct research on different cultures and how they interact with each other. This course may be useful to you if you are interested in learning more about the role of culture in teaching English learners. You can learn more about the different factors that influence culture and how to affirm your students' identities in the classroom.

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Education Consultant

An Education Consultant provides advice and support to schools and other educational organizations. You would help them to improve their teaching and learning practices. This course may be useful to you if you are interested in working with English learners. You can learn more about the best practices for culturally responsive teaching, which can help you to provide effective support to schools and other educational organizations.

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School Administrator

A School Administrator manages the day-to-day operations of a school. You would work with teachers, students, and parents to create a positive and supportive learning environment. This course may be useful to you if you are interested in working with English learners. You can learn more about the best practices for culturally responsive teaching, which can help you to create inclusive and equitable learning experiences for all students.

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Community Outreach Coordinator

A Community Outreach Coordinator develops and implements programs and initiatives that engage the community. You would work with community organizations, businesses, and residents to build relationships and promote positive change. This course may be useful to you if you are interested in working with English learners. You can learn more about the best practices for culturally responsive teaching, which can help you to create inclusive and equitable programs and initiatives.

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Human Resources Manager

A Human Resources Manager develops and implements HR policies and procedures. You would work with employees, managers, and executives to create a positive and supportive work environment. This course may be useful to you if you are interested in working with English learners. You can learn more about the best practices for culturally responsive teaching, which can help you to create inclusive and equitable HR policies and procedures.

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ESL Tutor

An ESL Tutor is an educator who works with people who are learning English as a new language. You would help them to develop their reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. An understanding of the connection between language and culture is essential to creating an inclusive learning environment. This course may prepare you for this job by providing you with the tools to understand your students' unique cultural and linguistic backgrounds. You can learn more about the best practices for culturally responsive teaching, which may improve your teaching effectiveness.

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Diversity and Inclusion Manager

A Diversity and Inclusion Manager develops and implements programs and initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace. You would work with employees, managers, and executives to create a more inclusive and equitable workplace. This course may be useful to you if you are interested in working with English learners. You can learn more about the best practices for culturally responsive teaching, which can help you to create inclusive and equitable programs and initiatives.

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Training and Development Manager

A Training and Development Manager develops and implements training programs for employees. You would work with managers and employees to identify training needs and develop programs that meet those needs. This course may be useful to you if you are interested in working with English learners. You can learn more about the best practices for culturally responsive teaching, which can help you to create inclusive and equitable training programs.

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Professor

A Professor teaches and conducts research at a college or university. You would lead lectures, discussions, and other learning activities for students. This course is designed for early career teachers (0-3 years of experience) to learn about the foundations of culture and the key role that culture plays in teaching English learners. This course may be useful to you if you are interested in teaching English learners at the college level.

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Social Worker

A Social Worker provides support and assistance to individuals, families, and communities. You would work with people who are facing challenges such as poverty, homelessness, mental illness, and addiction. This course may be useful to you if you are interested in working with English learners. You can learn more about the best practices for culturally responsive teaching, which can help you to provide effective support to individuals, families, and communities.

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Nonprofit Manager

A Nonprofit Manager leads and manages a nonprofit organization. You would work with staff, volunteers, and donors to achieve the organization's mission. This course may be useful to you if you are interested in working with English learners. You can learn more about the best practices for culturally responsive teaching, which can help you to create inclusive and equitable programs and initiatives.

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