Multicultural Education, Bilingual Education and Student Diversity Márcio Padilha EDUC 205 – Meyerhoeffer Fall/2007

Multicultural Education, Bilingual Education and Student Diversity The diverse student population in the US classroom results from the US being a diverse and pluralistic society. Immigration brings an amalgamation of different races, languages, folkways, religious beliefs, traditions, values, foods and music. Cultural differences, nevertheless, when not properly addressed may lead to prejudices, stereotypes, discrimination and unequal opportunities. Minority groups are perceived as deviant, disabled and disadvantaged. Multicultural Education and Bilingual Education address these specific issues of culturally and linguistically diverse students lessening the possibility they may become inadequate, damaging and hostile to society.

Multicultural Education Reality: US schools have a progressively growing number of linguistically and culturally diverse students. All students regardless of race, ethinicity, culture, social class and disability should experience equal educational opportunities. Approach Multicultural education is an inclusive approach which aims to integrate students’ values, traditions, beliefs and native languages into the lesson planning.

Multicultural Education Purpose The purpose of Multicultural Education is to address the existence of different perspectivies in a pluralistic society while validating the socio-educational contributions of all heritages. Reality No single recipe accommodates all facets os multicultural education, causing controversy and debate over the best way to educate culturally and linguistically diverse students

Multicultural Education Multicultural education is an orientation and not specific pedagogical technique which emcompasses the following goals: Education equity Cultural pluralism Cross-cultural competence Integration of studies on ethnic groups and global issues Human relations Ultimately, multicultural education aims to promote the acquisition of knowledge, attitudes and skills needed to function effectively in different cultural settings.

Bilingual Education Reality: US schools have a progressively growing number of linguistically and culturally diverse students. All students regardless of race, ethinicity, culture, social class and disability should experience equal educational opportunities. Approach: Bilingual Education emphasizes the promotion of academic development through instruction in English and the student’s native language.

Bilingual Education Purpose: Address the academic needs of linguistically diverse students in such a manner that the language of instruction poses no barrier to instruction. Bilingual Education is meant to be transitional. Students, as they progressively learn English, shift from content instruction in the foreign language to content instruction in English.

Linguistic and Cultural Diversity It is readily available through: Satellite TV and Radio Foreign movies Internet Cheap air travel. It is here to stay. Society should thrive on the positive of diversity rather than on the negative. Multicultural Education and Bilingual Education provide society with avenues to properly explore and benefit from the existing resources within the community.