Teaching Diversityto YLs

Derya Bozdoğan

TED University, 2015

Diversity myths • D= women+minorities• D is a new phenomenan• D= deficiency • D= divisiveness • D is to be feared

Bucher (2010)

The study

• Literature review• Activities • Student & teacher reflections

LR • Hélot and Young (2005):monolingual (!) countries

focusing only 1 foreign language; attention to student life outside school; family presentations

• Wan (2006): books and literature• Şahin (2003): culturally responsive curriculum• Ekşi (2009): Prejudice and stereotyping- the

Contact Hypothesis• Divrengi & Aktan (2011): pre-school ts’ attitude

to diversity

The curriculum (2nd-8th)

Grade 2• Unit 2 Greeting people in other

languagesGrade 4• Unit 1 Saying “thank you” in different

languages• Unit 2 Identifying flags and national

dress of different countries• Unit 10 Identifying popular food across

culturesGrade 5• Unit 3 Developing an awareness of

world languages• Unit 4 Seeing the commonalities in terms

of children’s games in different countries• Unit 6 Developing an awareness of

movies as an international art form and developing positive attitude to movies from different countries

• Unit 10 Developing and awareness of different festivals around the world

Grade 6• Unit 1 Identifying traditional dances from

other countries• Unit 2 Familiarising with breakfast habits

and expressions used at the beginning and end of meals

• Unit 10 Developing an awareness of principles of democracy

Grade 7• Unit 7 Familiarising with superstitious

beliefs from different countriesGrade 8• Unit 2 Recognizing similarities and

differences in teen culture by comparing music, movies, free time activities and home life

• Unit 3 Recognizing cultural diversity in food choices

• Unit 10 Recognizing science as a common human endeavour

The participants• 4th and 5th grade sts from Ankara, İstanbul and

Kocaeli• 4th grade sts (n=28) Ankara (n=10) 5 Male, 5 FemaleKocaeli (n=18) 4 Male, 14 Female• 5th grade sts (n=34)İstanbul (Sultangazi) 19 Male, 15 Female Total= 62 sts

The activities1. What do you think about the following? - Stay-at-home dad - Your brother playing with a Barbie doll - Your sister playing with your car toys - A mechanic woman - A male teacher - A female manager/director - A female bus driver 2. Give some examples of your toys. - How do you select them? - Which one is your favorite? 3. What is your favorurite cartoon? /film?

/cartoon character? - Are there any toys of them? Do you

have it? 4. If you visited a country in Africa what

would you see? If you visited a country in Europe what would you see? Draw on a piece of paper.

5. Write a “Who am I” poem. 6. Can you describe the following: - Prejudice - Discrimination - Gender

Student responses1. Gender-biased statements2. Toys & toy selection3. Africa & Europe4. Who am I poem5. Descriptions

Views of teachers• Even a year makes a difference in

viewpoints• Males are more flexible and open-

minded about the gender-biased statements

• Media is highly influential• Students’ experiences& observations is

the core of their perspectives and they affect each other

Example poemI am basketball on a snowy driveway.I am fishsticks, crinkle-cut frozen french fries and frozen mixed vegatables.I am primarily white, upper-middle class neighborhoods and raciall diverse schools.I am football on Thanksgiving and New Year's Day.I am "unity in diversity" and "speaking from your own experience.”I am diversity, multicultural education, identity, introspection, self-reflection, and social action.I am Tae Kwon Do, basketball, the batting cages, a soccer family, and the gym.I am a wonderful family, close and loving and incredibly supportive.I am films based on true stories and documentariesI am the History Channel, CNN, ESPN, BRAVO, and Home Team Sports.I am a passion for educating and facilitating, personal development and making connections.

http://www.edchange.org/multicultural/activities/poetry.html

Diversity songs on YT

• Sesame Street• http://www.songsforteaching.com/diver

sitymulticulturalism.htm

Who am I App

In conclusion• Diversity is integral to

education- ELT

• It needs particular attention

• Culturally responsive curriculum, teachers and text books are mandatory

• Learning a L2 provides to chance to promote intercultural awareness

References • Bucher, R. D. (2010). Diversity Consciousness

Opening our minds to people, cultures, and opportunities. (Third Edition). USA: Prentice Hall.

• http://simmaliebermansinclusionblog.blogspot.com.tr/2012/03/i-am-diversity-outstanding-poem.html

• http://www.edchange.org/multicultural/activities/poetry.html

• http://www.housing.sc.edu/studentengagement/pdf/training/DiversityActivity.pdf

• http://freesongsforkids.com/diversity-multicultural-songs-kids