Diversity and Tolerance

Our teacher training course centers around the issues related with  cultural diversity and tolerance in the classroom setting.  By touching upon these issues, we aim at broadening and deepen your understanding, experience, and critical thinking skills pertinent to the cultural differences and possible cross-cultural interactions in the classroom ambience. Considered as a a lifelong learning process, Intercultural Competence is conceptualised as an important skill set which contributes to the welfare of individuals, institutions, interpersonal relationships, and the society in general. Our course participants will improve their related skills to become more inter-culturally conscious in their teaching, personal and professional relationships. 

Our training program consists of two components: Theoretical and Applied.  In the theoretical section, the participants will develop an understanding about individual differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that promote high standards and high expectation of their learners; understand the importance of diversity in educational settings; learn to integrate diverse cultural materials into the curriculum and distinguish educational materials for biased or potentially offensive material; learn to utilize various perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to local and global issues; develop an understanding of soft skills such as communication, collaboration and creativity.

In the applied section, they will develop skills to continue learning about cultures and to expand one’s perspectives, adapting to new and varied student needs, in addition to understanding the basic traditions and values inherent to various cultures and issues; demonstrate in practice, multiple strategies for teaching and assessing students with varied needs and styles of learning; demonstrate an understanding of culture as a collage of factors beyond race and national origin;

practice strategies for working positively with diverse families.

The schedule given below is subject to change depending on participants’ needs and interests.

Day 1  

Course introduction

Needs analysis

Getting ready (Verbal-non-verbal warming up activities)

Introduction to Cultural Diversity and Tolerance Issues

Welcome Dinner 

Day 2 

Concepts of the culture, diversity, tolerance, multicultural education, identity, and their impact in a classroom setting  

Cultural diversity in education and challenges in the classroom  

Coping strategies with culturally diverse classroom settings  

Types of diversity in the classroom setting

Day 3

Cultural and social changes contributing to the diversity 

Diversity issues and possible scenarios  

Common mistakes in teaching cultural diversity 

Cultural beliefs influencing behaviours and practices in the classroom  

Personal and social barriers to diversity inclusiveness in the classroom  

Day 4 

Investigating the causes and effects of discrimination and bias in the classroom 

Communication and culture interface in education 

Definition and analysis of the terms ‘self’ and ‘the other’  

Stereotypes in education and strategies to overcome 

Hidden biases  

Practices for anti-bias education   

Guided City Tour (Optional)

Day 5

Sustainability projects developed in schools - best examples

Getting ready for culturally responsive teaching practice 

Developing and implementing culturally relevant curriculum  

Teaching tolerance in a diverse classroom setting  

Safe and open classroom environment in intercultural education

Building tolerance for all  

Group work to develop a lesson plan for a culturally diverse classroom 

Day 6

Presentation of group projects 

Discussions and Q&A about the projects 

Dinner at a traditional  restaurant

Day 7

Final Remarks on Cultural Diversity and Tolerance 

Feedback & Certificate Ceremony