Course Number:

Credit Hours:

Prerequisite:

3

None

Course

Description:

This course is designed for paraprofessionals to provide them with the knowledge and skills necessary to address communication and cultural barriers in increasingly diverse classrooms. Issues and topics will include intercultural communication skills, cross-cultural awareness, linguistic diversity, and appreciation for cultural diversity.   Special focus will be given in assisting the English language learner to integrate into the classroom culture. 

Faculty:

Name:

Office:

Telephone: (508) 588-9100 X

Email:

Course Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course learners will be able to:

1.      demonstrate cultural awareness (R,W,CT,OC)

2.      assist classroom teacher in evaluating the relationship between student difficulty and cultural difference (R,W,OC,CT)

3.      demonstrate skill in bridging communication between school and home (R,W,CT,OC)

4.      develop strategies for assisting ELL students to transition into classroom culture (R,W,CT,OC,TS)

5.      expand their cultural awareness and appreciation to improve effectiveness in the classroom (R,W,CT,OC,TS)

6.      to report results of  assessment  to the classroom teacher (R,W,CT,OC,TS)

7.      assess and grade the work of students of diverse cultural backgrounds being cognizant of differing styles of expressions (CT,R,W,OC,TS)

Key to Core Competencies: R= reading, W= writing, CT= critical thinking, TS= technology skills

Course Objectives:

Learners will:

• discuss and define terminologies that initiate cultural awareness
• understand the importance of multicultural education
• study and learn intercultural communication
• examine the effect of ethnocentrism on his/her own teaching approach       
• discuss the role of values in differing cultures
• engage in role-playing, simulation games and  other exercises which fosters awareness of diversity
• use case studies to develop strategies for assisting in student success
• develop a cross-cultural dialog
• discuss strategies to improve communication between schools and students’ families
• develop strategies to help ELL students overcome the grammatical obstacles to achieve English language proficiency
• develop strategies for incorporating an understanding of religious traditions, customs, rituals and practices
• discuss the importance of folklore and myths in differing cultures

Instructional methods:

Lecture, course readings, case studies, role-playing, discussion, project development, cross-cultural dialogues, and games.

Methods of Evaluation:

Attendance

Class participation

Projects

Lesson plan(s)

Writing assignments

Group work

ADA Statement:

“Students with disabilities who believe that they may need accommodations in the classroom are encouraged to contact the Learning Disabilities Coordinator, Nancy Sullivan, at Ext. 1082, or Disability Counselor, Stan Oliver, at Ext. 1464 as soon as possible in order to ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.”

Topic Schedule (tentative):

Week 1:  Introduction

                 Defining Culture, Discussion of terminoogy

Week 2:   Multicultural education; narrative discourse

                (storytelling across cultures)

Week 3:   Bi-Lingual Education

Week 4:   Communication; intercultural, verbal, and non-verbal

Week 5:   Values and communications exercises; Values

                assessment

Week 6:   Project development

                 Case studies

                  Role-play

                  Games

Week 7:    Continue week 6 plus Cross-cultural Dialogue

Week 8:    Home/school communication

Week 9:    Student progress assessment; defining English

                  language acquisition difficulties

Week 10:   Learning and behavioral issues; differing cultural

                  expectations

Week 11:   Explore and compare American traditions,

                  customs, holidays and festivals to other

Week 12:   Religion and culture

Week 13:    Project presentations