Learning Needs in the Multicultural Classroom: Implications to Equitable Teaching
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Feb 20, 2019
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Abstract
This qualitative study identified the learning needs of students in the multicultural classroom. The study utilised a semi-structured interview guide and data were gathered through focus group interviews of six ethnic groups, namely: Asian, Black, Filipino, Filipino-American, Hispanic, and White. Each group was comprised of eight to twelve members purposively sampled from the student population of one multicultural university in the Philippines for the collegiate year 2012-2013. The themes that emerged from the Qualitative Data Analysis of interview transcripts showed that learning needs in the multicultural classroom are culturally responsive teaching, teacher immediacy behaviours, differentiated instruction, and teacher language competence and instructional clarity. It is thus recommended that teachers rethink their approaches so that students from diverse cultural and language backgrounds will have equal learning opportunities. Further, it is deemed imperative to look into the curriculum and instruction to bring about changes in the way educational programmes are conceptualised, organised and taught.
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References
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Eslami, Z. &Fatahi, A., (2008). Teachers’ Sense of Self-Efficacy English Proficiency, and Instructional Strategies: A Study of Non-native EFL Teachers in Iran. Retrieved 7 May 2013 from www.tesl-ej.org/wordpress/ issues/ issues/volume11/ej44/ej44a1
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Rieger, A. (2006). Understanding English language learners’ needs and the language acquisition process: The two educators’ perspectives. Retrieved 26 August 2012 from http://www.urbanschools.org/pdf/ understanding_ell.pdf.
Roy-Campbell, Z. M. (2006). Educational language. Retrieved 22 August 2012 from http://www.springerlink. com/content/w0k503847t315471
Ruddell, M. R. (2008). Teaching content reading and writing. USA: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Santos, A. (2002). Personality ForTodays Youth (2nd Ed.). Mandaluyong City: National Book Store.
Schiff-Myers, N., Djukic, J., McGovern-Lawler, J., & Perez, D. (1993). Assessment considerations in the evaluation of second-language learners: A case study. Retrieved 18 August 2012 from http://www. Findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb3130/is_n3_v60/ai_28631381
Serdet, J. V. (1998). Qualitative data analysis. Retrieved 18 August 2012 from ProQuest database.
Tahtinen, D. (2009). Making visible the invisible: Dual language teaching practices in monolingual instructional settings. Dissertation Abstracts International: The Humanities and Social Sciences, 71(4), 1164-A, ProQuest LLC.
Torrey, J. (1983). Black children’s knowledge of Standard English. American Educational Research Journal, 20(4), 627.
Trueba, H. T. (1988). Cultural bases explanation of minority students’ academic achievement. Anthropology and Education Quarterly, 19(4), 270-287.
Vyhmeister, S. (2006). Writing with integrity. The InFo Journal, 10(2), 64-68.
Waters, A., & Vilches, M. L. (2008). Factors affecting ELT reforms: The case of the Philippine basic education curriculum. RELC Journal, 37(2), 260-272.
White, E. G. (1903). Education. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press.
Wood, J., (2007). Interpersonal Communication Everyday Encounters. USA: Thomas Wadsworth.
Ysseldyke, J., & Algozzine, R. (1995). Special education: A practical approach for teachers. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
Banks, J. (1989). Teaching strategies for ethnic studies (6th ed.). Boston: Allyn and Bacon. Banks, J., & McGee
Banks, C. (1989). Multicultural education: Issues and perspectives. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
Baralis, A. (2009). On the boarder of a new culture: Spanish-speaking middle school newcomers’ perceptions, expectations and attitudes. Dissertation Abstracts International: The Humanities and Social Sciences, 71(4), 1164-A, ProQuest LLC.
Batten, M., Marland, P., & Khamis, M. (1993). Knowing how to teach well: Teachers reflect on their classroom practice. Hawthorn, Australia: Brown Prior Anderson.
Borich, G. (2011). Effective Teaching Methods (7th Ed.). Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.
Boschee, F., Beyer, B., & Engelking, J. (1997). Special and compensatory programs: The administrator’s role. Boston: R&L Education.
Brophy, J. E. (1992). Probing the subtleties of subject-matter teaching. Educational Leadership, 49(7), 4-12.
Brown, J. D. (1995). The elements of language curriculum. Boston: Heinle & Heinle.
Buskist, W., Benassi, V. (2012). Effective College and University Teaching. Washington D.C.:SAGE Publications, Inc.
Cain, C. (2007). Is teaching an art or a science? Retrieve 14 August 2012 from http://www.associatedcontent. com/article/111558/is_teaching_an_art_or_a_science.html
Cooper, J. (2011). Classroom Teaching Skills (9th Ed.). USA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
Cruickshank, D., Jenkins, DB., & Metcalf, K., (2009). The Act of Teaching (5th Ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Higher Education.
Culatta, R., Tompkins, M., & Werts, G. (2003). Fundamentals of special education: What every teacher needs to know. Boston: Merrill-Prentice Hall.
Cummins, J. (1984). The role of primary language development in promoting educational success for language minority students. In California State Department of Education. Schooling and language minority students: A theoretical framework (pp. 3- 49). Sacramento: Author.
Davis, J. (2001). Clear thinking about teaching. Retrieved 10 August 2012 from http://www.Ntlf.com/html/ lib/btml_xrpt.htm
Dekker, D. (2003). A case study of the first language component bridging program in rural Philippines. Philippine Journal of Linguistics, 34(1), 13-18.
Dissertation Abstracts International (2010). The Humanities and Social Sciences, 71(4), 1164-A, ProQuest LLC.
Eslami, Z. &Fatahi, A., (2008). Teachers’ Sense of Self-Efficacy English Proficiency, and Instructional Strategies: A Study of Non-native EFL Teachers in Iran. Retrieved 7 May 2013 from www.tesl-ej.org/wordpress/ issues/ issues/volume11/ej44/ej44a1
Fraenkel, J. R., & Wallen, N. E. (2006).How to design and evaluate research in education (6thed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
Fromm, E. (1956). The art of loving. New York: Harper & Row.
Gersten, R. (1996). A delicate balance: Enhancing literature instruction for students of English as a second language. The Reading Teacher, 47, 438-449.
Glover, D., & Law, S., (2002). Improving Learning. Buckingham: Open University.
Gottlieb, M., (2006). Assessing English Language Learners. California: Corwin Press.
Griffin, G., & Barnes, S. (1986). Using research findings to change school and classroom practices: Results of an experimental study. American Educational Research Journal, 23(4), 573-574.
Hancock, B. (2002). An introduction to qualitative research. Retrieved 26 August 2012 from http://faculty.cbu.ca/pmacintyre/course_pages/MBA603/MBA603_files/IntroQualitative Research.pdf
Heward, W. I., & Orlansky, M. D. (1989). Exceptional children (3rd ed.). Columbus, OH: Merrill.
Hymes, D. (1981). “Foreword,” in Charles A. Ferguson and Shirley Brice Heath, eds., Language in the USA: Cambridge, Mass.: Cambridge University Press.
Insch, G., Moore, J. E., & Murphy, L. (1997). Content analysis in leadership research: Examples, procedures, and suggestions for future use. The Leadership Quarterly, 8(1), 1-25.
Johns, K. M., & Espinoza, C. (1996). Management strategies for culturally diverse classrooms. Bloomington, IN: Phi Delta Kappa.
La Belle, T., & Ward, C. (1994). Multiculturalism and education: Diversity and its impact on schools and society. New York: State University of New York Press.
Macias, R. (1986). Teacher preparation for bilingual education. A Report of the Compendium of Papers on the Topic Bilingual Education, 43-44.
Mattes, L., & Omark, D. (1984). Speech and language assessment for the bilingual handicapped.USA: College-Hill Press.
McIntyre, H. (2012). Creating a multicultural environment in the classroom. Retrieved August 28, 2013 from http://www.brighthubeducation.com/teaching-methods-tips/75909-creating-a-multiculturalenvironment-in-the-classroom/
Moule, J. (2012). Cultural competence: A primer for educators. USA: Wadsworth CENGAGE Learning.
Ovando, C. (1989). Bilingual/bicultural education: Its legacy and its future. Phi Delta Kappan.
Rieger, A. (2006). Understanding English language learners’ needs and the language acquisition process: The two educators’ perspectives. Retrieved 26 August 2012 from http://www.urbanschools.org/pdf/ understanding_ell.pdf.
Roy-Campbell, Z. M. (2006). Educational language. Retrieved 22 August 2012 from http://www.springerlink. com/content/w0k503847t315471
Ruddell, M. R. (2008). Teaching content reading and writing. USA: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Santos, A. (2002). Personality ForTodays Youth (2nd Ed.). Mandaluyong City: National Book Store.
Schiff-Myers, N., Djukic, J., McGovern-Lawler, J., & Perez, D. (1993). Assessment considerations in the evaluation of second-language learners: A case study. Retrieved 18 August 2012 from http://www. Findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb3130/is_n3_v60/ai_28631381
Serdet, J. V. (1998). Qualitative data analysis. Retrieved 18 August 2012 from ProQuest database.
Tahtinen, D. (2009). Making visible the invisible: Dual language teaching practices in monolingual instructional settings. Dissertation Abstracts International: The Humanities and Social Sciences, 71(4), 1164-A, ProQuest LLC.
Torrey, J. (1983). Black children’s knowledge of Standard English. American Educational Research Journal, 20(4), 627.
Trueba, H. T. (1988). Cultural bases explanation of minority students’ academic achievement. Anthropology and Education Quarterly, 19(4), 270-287.
Vyhmeister, S. (2006). Writing with integrity. The InFo Journal, 10(2), 64-68.
Waters, A., & Vilches, M. L. (2008). Factors affecting ELT reforms: The case of the Philippine basic education curriculum. RELC Journal, 37(2), 260-272.
White, E. G. (1903). Education. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press.
Wood, J., (2007). Interpersonal Communication Everyday Encounters. USA: Thomas Wadsworth.
Ysseldyke, J., & Algozzine, R. (1995). Special education: A practical approach for teachers. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.