Inclusive and Culturally Responsive Classrooms

Course overview

This immersive 5-day course is designed to equip educators with the knowledge, skills, and strategies to create inclusive and culturally responsive learning environments. Participants will explore the diverse learning approaches of students, enabling them to select appropriate teaching strategies that cater to different contexts and moments during the lesson.

The course will delve into the importance of intercultural communication and the role it plays in effective classroom management. Participants will learn how to convert diversity from a perceived burden into an opportunity for enriching the learning experience for all students.

Emphasis will be placed on selecting teaching strategies with concrete, across-the-board objectives, such as role-playing and cooperative learning. Participants will gain expertise in facilitating these strategies, fostering collaboration, empathy, and mutual understanding among students from diverse backgrounds.

The course will also explore the concept of mindfulness and its application in the classroom setting. Participants will learn techniques for promoting active listening, empathy, and self-reflection, enabling them to create a safe and inclusive learning environment where all students feel valued and respected.

Additionally, the course will delve into the narrative construction of identity and its impact on student learning. Participants will explore strategies for recognizing and validating students’ identities, promoting a sense of belonging and fostering positive relationships within the classroom community.

To enhance the learning experience and provide a cultural context, the course will incorporate a guided visit to a local museum, heritage site, or eco-conscious initiative. This visit will allow participants to explore the cultural richness of the area, draw inspiration from sustainable practices, and gain insights into incorporating inclusive and green dimensions into their teaching methodologies.

Tentative schedule:

Day 1: Introduction to inclusive and culturally responsive classrooms

Icebreakers and networking activities
Introduction to the course and participants
Overview of the course methodology and expectations
Identifying students’ diverse learning approaches
Exploring the role of intercultural communication in classroom management
Group discussions: Challenges and opportunities in diverse classrooms

Day 2: Mindfulness and reflection in the classroom

Promoting active listening and empathy in the classroom
Mindfulness practices for educators and students
Exploring the concept of an inclusive school
Activities and games to foster soft skills and ensemble building

Day 3: Embracing diversity and fostering relationships

Understanding the narrative construction of identity
Recognizing and validating students’ identities
Building positive relationships within the classroom community
Cultural visit (e.g. museum, heritage site) guided in English to explore local heritage and environmental practices
Discussion on the fluidity of identities through times and mediums through which they are presented

Day 4: Culturally responsive teaching strategies

Communicative needs and language for effective communication
Language for establishing relationships and studying
Mixed-ability classes: Differentiation and cooperative learning strategies
Role-playing and cooperative learning activities

Day 5: Creating an Inclusive school environment

Strengthening family-school relationships
Building inclusive environments: From multicultural to intercultural classrooms
Course evaluation and feedback
Certification ceremony

The classes typically run from 9 in the morning to 2 in the afternoon, with the afternoon and evening reserved for self-reflection and individual study. However, the course schedule may be adjusted to accommodate the preferences of the participants and the availability of instructors or external learning locations. Participants will receive the finalized schedule well in advance, allowing ample time for preparation and planning.

Learning outcomes:

The participants will be able to:

Identify students’ diverse learning approaches and select appropriate teaching strategies to cater to different contexts and moments during the lesson.
Analyze the role of intercultural communication in effective classroom management and convert diversity from a perceived burden into an opportunity for enriching the learning experience.
Select and implement teaching strategies with concrete, across-the-board objectives, such as role-playing and cooperative learning, to foster collaboration, empathy, and mutual understanding among students from diverse backgrounds.
Develop expertise in facilitating mindfulness practices, promoting active listening, empathy, and self-reflection to create a safe and inclusive learning environment.
Explore the narrative construction of identity and its impact on student learning, recognizing and validating students’ identities to promote a sense of belonging and positive relationships within the classroom community.
Utilize effective communication strategies to address students’ communicative needs, establish relationships, and facilitate learning for full integration.
Implement differentiation and cooperative learning strategies to cater to mixed-ability classes, ensuring inclusive and equitable learning opportunities for all students.
Strengthen family-school relationships and build inclusive environments that transition from multicultural to intercultural classrooms, fostering a sense of community and belonging.
Collaborate with fellow educators to share best practices, strategies, and experiences in creating inclusive and culturally responsive learning environments.
Incorporate cultural elements and inspiration from local heritage and sustainable practices into their inclusive teaching methodologies, promoting environmental consciousness and respect for diversity.
Evaluate their own teaching practices and develop an action plan for continuous improvement in fostering inclusive and culturally responsive classrooms.

Course fee:

400 euro per participant (covered entirely by the Erasmus grant)

Course fee includes:

At least 25 hours of course content;
Course materials;
Certificate of participation;
Europass, on request;
Learning / Mobility Agreement;
Visits to local institutions, if available;
Personalized support;
Free high-speed WIFI internet at the POU Čakovec premises;
Refreshments;
Administration costs;
Dissemination materials.

Browse POU Courses Catalogue