Culturally Responsive Training for ELL Educators

by Sonja L. Graves, Ed.D

Why is Culturally Responsive Training Important?

1. Addressing Diverse Student Needs: English Language Learners (ELLs) come from various cultural backgrounds, each with varied and distinct learning needs. Culturally responsive training helps educators tailor and improve instruction that meets student needs.

   
   

2. Building Relationships: Understanding students' cultural background in contexts of homelife and education is essential to providing ELL students with a world-class education. These relationships help to foster trust; thereby, promoting student social-emotional safety and academic engagement.

   
   

3. Enhancing Academic Success: Research shows that culturally responsive teaching practices in ELL courses and across content areas can lead to improved academic outcomes for ELLs. When students see their cultures reflected in the curriculum, they are more likely to engage and flourish in school.

   Culturally responsive training for ELL educators is necessary in today’s diverse classrooms. As we continue to welcome students who speak languages other than English into our schools, educators must equip themselves with the essential skills and knowledge needed to provide an engaging environment.

The Importance of Cultural Awareness

Understanding the cultural backgrounds of ELL students is crucial. Educators who engage in culturally responsive training learn to appreciate the rich tapestry of cultures represented in their classrooms. This awareness fosters an inclusive environment where students feel valued and respected, ultimately enhancing their learning experiences. In a 2022 qualitative study, Fostering Culturally Relevant Teaching through Family Visits, researcher Laura Szech engaged elementary teachers in a professional development course project or book club project to determine if family visits foster more culturally relevant teaching practices. Each project included a family visit component, and teachers maintained a reflective journal to respond to questions after each family visit. The study revealed that family visits helped teachers to validate and legitimize students’ family practices and adapt classroom practices. As a result, student academic excellence improved over time. The researcher notes that by removing biases that families or cultures need to be helped or fixed, teachers viewed families through a more holistic lens.

Bravo and the Dreamcatcher, Inc. support schools with exploring empirical literature, determining what works and doesn't work to engage students and families, then developing a plan to enhance ELL programming.

Key Components of Culturally Responsive Training

To effectively implement culturally responsive training, educators should focus on several key components:

1. Know Your Cultural Biases

Educators must first recognize their own cultural biases and how these biases can impact their teaching practices. Self-reflection professional development with activities that encourage educators to examine their beliefs and assumptions about different cultures are essential.

2. Know Your Students' Culture

Understanding the cultural backgrounds of ELLs is crucial. Educators should learn about their students' languages, traditions, and values in order to connect and create opportunities of safety. This knowledge can inform lesson planning and enrichment activities.

3. Develop an Inclusive Curriculum Design

Culturally responsive training should emphasize the importance of an inclusive curriculum that reflects the diverse backgrounds of students. Educators should plan and incorporate literature, history, and examples from various cultures to create a more relatable learning experience.

4. Create Differentiated Instruction

Training should equip educators with strategies for differentiating instruction to meet the varying needs of ELLs. This includes using visual aids, hands-on activities, collaborative learning opportunities or utilizing proven programs like Project GLAD for language acquisition strategies.

Other Strategies for Implementation

1. Collaborative Learning Communities

2. Peer Classroom Observations

3. Resource Sharing

4. Student-Centered Activities

Challenges in Implementing Culturally Responsive Training

While the benefits of culturally responsive training are clear, educators may face challenges in its implementation. Here are some common obstacles:

1. Resistance to Change

2. Limited Resources

3. Time Constraints

4. Varied Diverse Student Needs

Let's hop a call to determine how Bravo and the Dreamcatcher, Inc. can support your district or school with determining the best outcomes for ELL students.

sonja.graves@bravoandthedreamcatcher.com

References

Szech, L. (2022). Fostering culturally relevant teaching through family visits. International Journal of Multicultural Education, 24(3), 51-71.