Rice University
The Role of Culture in Teaching English Learners
Rice University

The Role of Culture in Teaching English Learners

Alice Llanos
Rachel Kraut, Ph.D.

Instructors: Alice Llanos

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level

Recommended experience

22 hours to complete
3 weeks at 7 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level

Recommended experience

22 hours to complete
3 weeks at 7 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

  • Discover new ideas for teaching and assessing cultural knowledge and intercultural communicative competence.

  • Learn how to incorporate culturally responsive teaching methods into your everyday classroom practices.

  • Understand the multi-dimensional nature of culture and its importance in teaching English learners.

Details to know

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Assessments

12 assignments

Taught in English

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This course is part of the Introduction to Teaching English Learners Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
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There are 4 modules in this course

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.

What's included

6 videos9 readings3 assignments1 peer review1 discussion prompt

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.

What's included

6 videos10 readings3 assignments1 peer review1 discussion prompt

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.

What's included

6 videos11 readings3 assignments1 peer review1 discussion prompt

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.

What's included

6 videos12 readings3 assignments1 peer review1 discussion prompt

Instructors

Alice Llanos
Rice University
5 Courses157,196 learners

Offered by

Rice University

Recommended if you're interested in Learning English

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