Principia College boasts a 20% international student population. With this large segment of our student body coming from differing cultures, how do we support them? Principia is actually quite good at this. We have the annual International Festival, and we have an International Student Program Coordinator. We also have our International Student Learning Community. These are just a few of the steps Principia takes to be supportive to our international students. However, research shows us that embracing different cultures in the classroom is also advantageous. Having a multicultural classroom supports all learners. There are many ways we can improve the multicultural classroom experience here at Principia.
\nHere are just a few ideas to support you:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Follow Mrs. Eddy\u2019s counsel and regard each student with pure love. \u201cWhen the heart speaks, however simple the words, its language is always acceptable to those who have hearts.\u201d Mis 262:9<\/p>\n
\u2022 Read about unfamiliar cultural experiences to expand your background<\/p>\n
\u2022 Punch up your pedagogy
\nMake sure that your lessons have room for interaction
\nParticipate with the students during journaling and discussion
\nArrange classroom seating for easy communication<\/p>\n
\u2022 Kindly encourage students from diverse backgrounds to join extra-curricular activities even if they are shy or hesitant.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Get out of your comfort zone so that it is easier to empathize with your students
\nTake a class in something unfamiliar
\nGo to a restaurant you have never tried
\nGo to an activity that is new for you (think opera or Nascar)<\/p>\n
\u2022 Relax and be yourself, students who are comfortable learn better<\/p>\n
\u2022 Care \u2026 students who know they are cared for are more successful<\/p>\n
Finally, enjoy your students and the class experience. You are doing what you love and they can feel it.
\nThese ideas are adapted from Sonia Nieto and Patty Bode\u2019s book Diversity, The Sociopolitical Context of Multicultural Education, Lisa Delpit, in her book Other People\u2019s Children, and Mary Baker Eddy in Prose Works.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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