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Home is where the heart is.
Cultural Diversity in the ESL classroom
The educational aim of the Broad Area of Learning, Citizenship and Community Life is, ”To enable students
to take part in the democratic life of the classroom or the school and develop an attitude of
openness to the world and respect for diversity” (PDFQ). If we want students to develop this attitude
of openness, they must be given the opportunity to learn about other cultures.
English is an international language through which students can become acquainted with a variety of
cultures, both English speaking and non-English speaking. The ESL classroom is a window on the world
that can provide students with a view of other cultures both near and far.
Developing an awareness of these cultures and their traditions can help promote students' tolerance and
understanding. It also allows students to appreciate the uniqueness of their own culture. In this way, students are encouraged to develop a sense of community and learn to value their place in the global village.
The English language is used around the world and the traditions are as varied as the communities that
use it. Music, customs, family values and language-use all vary from one English-speaking community
to another. Exploring these aspects allows students to learn about and appreciate the diversity of
English-speaking communities. For example, Kwanzaa is a festival for African-Americans, St. Patrick's
Day is an Irish celebration and Robbie Burns day is celebrated by Scots. Knowing about these traditions
exposes a rich tapestry to our students.
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