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Specialist Council of the Alberta Teachers' Association


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Cultural Competency

What is it? And how could it affect a student’s education from kindergarten through college?
It arose in connection with health care services—“Services that are respectful and responsive to the cultural and linguistic needs of the patient”. Cultural competency is a skill! This month’s theme was chosen because we know language acquisition, family practice and cultural backgrounds affect how children learn at school.


“Administrators (and teachers) who are culturally competent know how to modify their actions, words, or body language to take into account another person’s cultural expectations.” (Hanley, 2007)​


English Language Learners:

​Culture, Equity and Language


​Approximately 5.3 million public school students are English language learners. The National Education Association is leading the profession in preparing educators of English learners to meet the educational, cultural and linguistic needs of their students. Every year, experienced teachers, volunteer to lead (5 minutes)



​How do you reach students who are culturally and racially different from you? This course provides thought-provoking background and practical suggestions for teachers seeking the answer to this question. (5 minutes)


Student Projects

MulticulturalExperientialActivities
Includes Descriptions of Multicultural, Cross-cultural & Intercultural Games & Activities and links to other sites
http://wilderdom.com/games/MulticulturalExperientialActivities.html


The Peace Corps: Building Bridges Teaching Resource (for grade 6-12 teachers)
http://files.peacecorps.gov/wws/pdf/BuildingBridges.pdf


The lessons in this book will:

  • Help students better understand their own culture and how it has shaped them.
  • Help students begin to understand the perspectives of other cultures, leading to increased respect for those who are different from them—in the classroom and worldwide.
  • Provide an increased awareness of the value and practicality of social service within and beyond the bounds of schools.


Resources for Teachers

Here Comes Everyone (ATA, 2010)
Educational practices that honour & reflect intercultural perspectives


Culturally Responsive and Relevant Teaching and Learning
This site from TK (Transitional Kindergarten California) includes a section called Culturally Responsive and Relevant Teaching and Learning with ideas for teachers and links to further research, information and strategies.

Cultural Adaptation



​God Grew Tired of Us Trailer- National Geographic Documentary (Lost Boys of Sudan) (2:27)
Four boys from Sudan embark on a journey to America after years of wandering Sub-Saharan Africa in search of safety.


Reading for Teachers