Safe, inclusive, accepting and engaging learning environments

1. How can I promote this in the classroom?

1.1. Teach/model an anti-racist and inclusive curriculum using the Catholic virtues and the "Equity and Inclusive Education" strategy.

1.2. Conduct surveys, questionairres and interviews to get to know your students.

1.3. Create assignments which are attuned to students' interests.

2. Challenges

2.1. There will be times where my personal beliefs or teachings may be in conflict with learned cultural stereotypes or prejudices. I will have to deal with each situation differently and use education to stomp out ignorance.

2.2. Getting ESL students involved in extracurricular activities.

2.3. Racial segregation.

2.4. Promoting inclusiveness of ESL students from native Canadians in regular classes.

2.5. Promoting multiculturalism within the school.

3. How can I promote this outside the classroom?

3.1. Make students aware of councils and clubs which teach leadership skills.

3.2. Start an ESL club that welcomes ESL students and their non-ESL friends.

3.3. Facilitate a Multicultural Night.

3.4. Run ESL trips that encourage new friendships.

4. Sources

4.1. ONTARIO’S EQUITY AND INCLUSIVE EDUCATION STRATEGY https://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/policyfunding/equity.pdf

4.2. Coelho, E. (2007). Adding English: A guide to teaching in multilingual classrooms. Toronto, ON: Pippin Publishing.

5. What do these learning environments look, sound and feel like?

5.1. Welcoming new students through introductions

5.2. Class photographs or artwork that reflect their unique cultures

5.3. Flags and maps should display students countries of origin.

5.4. Peer tutors should be assisting students by explaining difficult instructions in mother tongue.

5.5. Post inclusive displays which illustrate students' interests.

5.6. Post student's work to showcase their talents.

5.7. Collectively create a set of respectful ESL classroom rules.

5.8. Students are celebrated when they take the risk of answering a question that they may not know the answer to.

5.9. descriptive feedback on assignments and evaluated work.

5.10. Post a welcome poster with multiple languages on it.