Cultural Competency

1
Cultural Competency

• Working with Diversity
• in the Classroom

2
What is culture?

• Culture is made up of
• Values
• Beliefs
• and Patterns of Behavior.

3
What we see of culture is
just the tip of the iceberg.
4
Value orientations may affect learning
Consider American values as they relate to the
following
Authority

• Egalitarian
• Informal

• Hierarchical
• Formal

5

• Relational

Independence
Interdependence Individualism
Collectivism Competition
Cooperation
6
Activity

• Doing

Being
7
Time

• Limited!
• Evolving

Abundant
Historical , Past-oriented
8
Communication Style
High Context
Low Context
9
Cultural competence

• Developing skills in cultural competence is like
  learning a language, a sport or an instrument.
  The learner must learn, re-learn, continuously
  practice, and develop in an environment of
  constant change. Cultures and individuals are
  dynamic they constantly adapt and evolve..."
• http//www.k12.wa.us/cisl/eliminatingthegaps/cultu
  ralcompetence/default.aspx

10
Framework for dealing with cultural issues that
arise in the classroom

• Describe (to yourself) what you observe. Be
  objective and stick to the facts.
• Evaluate what it might mean. What cultural
  factors might be at play?
• Interpret how it makes you feel.
• THEN
• Think what you might do in the classroom.