Monday, August 3, 2020

Diversity in the WL Classroom



Diversity is a topic that a lot of World Language teachers are thinking about recently.  Discussions in many social media groups have teachers reflecting about the environment and activities that are offered in their classrooms.  Questions such as, "do students see themselves in this curriculum?" are requiring many to revamp and make positive change in their lessons for the 2020-2021 school year.  The good news is that there are already resources available for others to use immediately.  Keep reading to find some ideas below.

One easy way to incorporate a more diverse structure to a curriculum is to make sure that more than one country where the target language is spoken is represented.  This can be done by simply promoting target language countries on bulletin boards or by having students do independent research on a place that interests them.  Here are a few resources that will help:








Another way to involve diversity is to add activities which include culture into lessons.  Below are some great activities that can help:






How about introducing students to famous target language speakers?  This is an easy way to have students find connections and comparisons to their own individual circumstances.  The following resources will help:







One final idea would be to incorporate famous quotes and citations that speakers of the target language have said.  







Good luck in the upcoming school year as diversity becomes more prominent in the curriculum.