Antiracist Education And Inclusivity in an English Classroom
Celeste Maneiro
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Incorporating Multicultural Literature in EFL Classroom
Incorporating Multicultural Literature in EFL Classroom
Important Takeaways
Literature serves not only as entertainment, but as a tool for advancing an ideology.
Multicultural literature represents an ethnic, urban, or diverse multicultural perspective and therefore can process a dualistic approach in conceptualizing identities and strengthening the cultural background.
Children and teenagers are exposed to the alternative cultural perspective that acts as a challenge against their behaviour and belief when they read multicultural literature.
Integrating the literature of indigenous people, immigrants, and their descendants into the curriculum, is necessary to empower the students and suppress both racism and hetaerism, aiming to endorse acceptance of diversity, cross-cultural understanding, as well as civic responsibility.
It is suggested that multicultural literature should embody:
1. Positive characters imagery with realistic behaviors and authentic cultural perspectives
2. Multidimensional to assist readers in experiencing the depth and breadth of a certain culture
3. Cultural details that embedded naturally
4. Historical accuracy when appropriate
5. Dialect or language spoken by the characters should authentically portray the interactions
6. Impactful visual and authentic illustration
7. Pluralistic them to nurture belief in cultural diversities as a national asset and reflect the changing population
8. High literary quality, including superb plots and well-developed characterizations.
"Through the use of multicultural literature, teachers may broaden the students’ world to various events, histories, peoples, and cultures, as well as assist the students in gaining insights to reflect on their own culture"
How To Implement These Ideas In An English Classroom
Although this article discusses practices in an EFL classroom, a lot of the ideas discussed can be used in ELA classes as well!
Assign readings from authors with all different racial backgrounds.
Teach different approaches to literature such as Feminist, Marxist, Psychoanalytic, and more and have students apply these approaches to culturally diverse readings.
Allow students to pick a racial background of their interest (one that is not their own) to conduct research on authors and pieces of literature that resemble that background.
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"Our similarities bring us to a common ground; our differences allow us to be fascinated by eachother"
-Tom Robins
Affect, Fear, and Openness in an Antiracist Writing Classroom
Affect, Fear, and Openness in an Antiracist Writing Classroom
Important Takeaways
When writing teachers teach White standards using White frameworks, White students feel comfortable and affirmed, but students of color feel judged, excluded, or imprisoned.
A student’s "fearful trill" threatens not only their writing enjoyment but also their writing confidence, self-efficacy, motivation, and academic achievement.
"An antiracist curriculum that intentionally attends to openness and affect can confer political, social, intellectual, and emotional benefits; it can also make students less afraid of writing"
How To Implement These Ideas In An English Classroom
Grant students the ability to read literature that resemble different backgrounds and make minority students feel seen and heard.
If certain students speak with a particular diction make them aware of standard English practices, but do not look down upon them or make them feel inferior in any way. (Allow them to use their diction in class while speaking but remind them of standard English when writing).
The effects of multicultural literature in the classroom
The effects of multicultural literature in the classroom
Important Takeaways
All of our students are not the same.
Students need to be able to make connections between literature and their everyday lives. Literature can provide children with a sense of affirmation about themselves and their culture.
When children don’t find themselves reflected in books, they are less likely to be engaged in the reading process. Also, they receive the subtle message that school is not for people like them.
Multicultural literature helps to stimulate an understanding of diversity in the classroom and helps to build an understanding of and respect for people from other cultures.
There are four main categories of multicultural literature: racism, poverty, gender equity, and religious beliefs.
The five main cultural groups included in multicultural literature are African-American, Latino American, Asian American, Native American, and Jewish.
Some barriers of this practice include: diversity vs. universality, informing vs. empowering, and empathy vs. defensiveness.
"It is vital for teachers to be able to understand their students’ perspectives"
How To Implement These Ideas In An English Classroom
Find pieces of literature that children of different backgrounds are able to relate to, and follow the standards that are mentioned in this article as well as one of the previous articles.
The author also mentions offering an interavtive experience for the students in order for them to fully gras the overall message being portrayed in a literary work. She mentions the use of puppet shows for younger students. For high school students however, I think that it may be beneficial to allow students to watch a film pertaining to a book they have been reading in class, or even have them reinact certain scenes.
The Urgency Of Anti-Racist Classrooms
The Urgency Of Anti-Racist Classrooms
Important Takeaways
Anti-racist classrooms, teach the lessons that show students that we all have a role, every single day, to make sure that racist events do not repeat themselves.
However, educators often omit important details or slightly change the story in order to make it seem less intense, and less racist.
Teaching an honest history of America’s issues with race is an important step toward dismantling systemic racism.
"America’s children deserve an education that critically examines the role and actions of all citizens in maintaining and perpetuating a system that leads to a horrible moment in our history"
How To Implement These Ideas In An English Classroom
It is important to be honest with our students in regards to the racist events that are taking place around the world. Although there may be some details that may be difficult to discuss in a clasroom setting, it is essential for us as future educators to be as open as possible with our students, and use events like these to teach our students how to love, support, and encourage one another, regardoless of skin color and racial background.
Strategies for Embracing Anti-Racist Work in Our Classrooms
Strategies for Embracing Anti-Racist Work in Our Classrooms
Important Takeaways
Learning must be authentic but should also focus on creating a space where students have agency and control over their learning.
We as future educators have to make sure that the purpose of our instruction is rooted in action as a means to promote change.
We must self reflect, be open minded, and have knowledge of the history in order to promote this change.
"As educators, we must acknowledge that the events of our society impact the practice and activities of our classroom"
How To Implement These Ideas In An English Classroom
Similar to the previous article, it is essential to discuss real world events with our students, that way they can gain insight of what is ocurring in the world around them. To do this however, we as eductators must self reflect on our own privlege, race, background, and so much more in order to aid our students and be there for them in the best way we can.
"We don't just TEACH, We INSPIRE"
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