The Role of the Teacher in Promoting Intercultural Approaches
Today, it would be an exaggeration to say that cultural diversity is perceived as a problem within education systems, since the teachers, in general, accept it and have positive attitudes towards the contribution of diversity. However, even if it is not a problem within the school, one must nevertheless address its complexity. Cultural diversity is not only an auspicious resource for extra-curricular activities; it has a social dimension with an impact on the life of the pupils and their parents. From this point of view, it seems important to us that teachers are aware of the issues concerning such themes as integration, openness, social justice and equality. Otherwise, it should be said that a certain number of stereotypes persist and their effects should be thoroughly examined within the school.
One of the theoretical foundations which seems productive for us in promoting cultural diversity is culturally relevant teaching. Indeed, further to exploiting otherness as a resource, it subjects it to critical analysis and in this way addresses inequalities connected with cultural, social or ethnic affiliations. This form of teaching addresses inequalities, but also takes the form of an approach to combat them.
Finally, research has demonstrated the advantage of opening the teaching profession to people from diverse origins. Indeed, their knowledge and the resemblance between their own experiences and those of their pupils, particularly those with cultural minority origins, contribute an educational added-value. Furthermore, we believe that the experiences of these teachers may represent a resource for the educational enterprise, while accepting its limits: the need for each individual to choose their own affiliation and not to be assigned an identity that could be detrimental.
(Based and adapted from AKKARI, Abdeljalil; RADHOUANE, Myriam. Intercultural approaches to education: From theory to practice. Springer Nature, 2022.)
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