James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2024

ED5981 - Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Classrooms and Communities

Limited to students enrolled in the Master of Teaching and Learning (Primary).

Subject Description

The subject assures graduate student teachers' knowledge and skills in culturally and linguistically diverse classrooms and communities. It builds on their knowledge of literacy and intercultural literacy acquired in previous phases. The subject emphasises active and transformative pedagogies to assure culturally responsive dispositions, expert knowledge and skills in creating inclusive multicultural classrooms that foster intercultural understanding and provide appropriate pedagogical and assessment strategies. Through independent research, narrative inquiry and experiential learning, graduate teachers demonstrate their ability to draw on theories of culture, multicultural education frameworks, pedagogical strategies (specifically for addressing language diversity) to design and execute appropriately differentiated language learning plans that are culturally inclusive and promote social sustainability.

Learning Outcomes

• demonstrate autonomy, expert judgement, adaptability and problem solving in the development and application of culturally responsive teaching strategies and EAL/D pedagogies that considers whole school and systemic processes
• demonstrate the ability to identify research opportunities and plan, conduct and manage ethical research project that informs culturally responsive teaching and further professional development in the capstone experience
• demonstrate culturally responsive dispositions necessary to sensitively and constructively communicate with and engage culturally and linguistically diverse learners, colleagues, parents and community members
• demonstrate advanced and integrated understanding of the role of culture, identity and language in learning and critical application of multicultural education frameworks especially as applicable to engaging learners and school communities with and through intercultural literacy
• demonstrate assured capability knowledge and skills in assessing learners' English language proficiency

Subject Assessment

• Oral > Presentation 1 - (50%) - Individual
• Written > Case study analysis - (30%) - Individual
• Participation > Online participation - (20%) - Individual

Note that minor variations might occur due to the continuous subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.

Assumed Knowledge:  Mastery level of the English language and pedagogies for teaching English Knowledge of Learners and Learning as established in ED5950 Teaching for Diversity as established in ED5960

Availabilities