Shaping a welcoming and inclusive environment for cultural and all diversities

Migrations have been increasing during this century. The consequence: a mix of different cultures, traditions, and individuals all over the globe. In order to support the exchange of ideas and communication between cultures, intercultural and diversity education gives teachers the keys to make the most of intercultural encounters.

How can we promote and celebrate cultural diversity in the classroom, transforming a multicultural classroom into a classroom that is welcoming and inclusive for all diversities?

Teacher from all over Europe have been working towards shaping their answer to this question. The course “Intercultural learning and cultural diversity in the classroom” from 20/02/2022 to 26/02/2022 was planned to reach the needs of our participants ofshaping a welcoming and inclusive environment for all diversities.

First, we started debating about key concepts of intercultural learning. Participants explored the differences between “multicultural, “cross-cultural” and “intercultural” concepts. The reason? To create an understanding of concepts to be more aware of intercultural phenomena.

During the course we worked on the exploration of the link between culture and education. Participants got involved into some activities to become more aware of how cultures influence teaching and learning styles. The goal of the exercise was to think about the attention and sensitivity that teachers need when specific cultural patterns arise in the classroom.

We investigated the concept of identity as a first stepto go deep into diversity. From a visual activity, our participants thought about their own identity and the relation that identity has with culture. We discussed how reflective and visual activities can increase awareness of, respect and openness to diversity. 

Next, participants engaged in a storytelling exercise about stereotypes. Altogether we discovered the meaning of the vicious cycle of stereotypes. They were invited to reflect about how stereotypes can convert into prejudices and discrimination, generating a vicious cycle that strengthens stereotypes. As put in an inspiration TED Talk we saw - “Show a people as one thing — as only one thing — over and over again, and that is what they become.

The last topic we worked on was inclusion. First, participants have been involved in simulation activities to acknowledge and discuss about the challenges of intercultural communication. The activities can help students questioning common assumptions while thinking about finding connections among different cultures.

The second concept we investigated as a pillar for inclusion was empathy. Activities were proposed with the goal of recognizing the importance of every student of the class, their needs and diversities to make the most of each students’ potentials. Empathy linked with membership can bring about radical changes in the classroom to make everyone feeling respected end empowered.

More info on the course “Intercultural learning and cultural diversity in the classroom” at this link: https://www.erasmustrainingcourses.com/diversity-and-intercultural-learning-in-the-classroom.html