Culture is shared experiences, values, and traditions that create a sense of community. It influences behaviors and thought patterns. When different cultures interact, there can be issues like ethnocentrism, stereotyping, and miscommunication due to varied concepts of appropriate behavior, attitudes, and language. As teachers, it is important to understand each student's individual cultural identity, keep open communication, make all students feel respected and safe, and address one's own biases. Teachers should use a variety of strategies, like incorporating the arts, to encourage critical thinking about social and cultural issues.

2. • Culture is the shared, personal, and
learned life experiences of a group of
individuals who have a common set of
values, norms and traditions
• Subculture refers to the values and
norms that are distinct from those of
the majority and is held by a group
within a wider society-the minority.

3. This refers to communication between and
among individuals and groups whose cultural
backgrounds differ (West, R. & Turner, L. 2009)

4. • Culture is learned
• Culture creates community
• Culture is multileveled
• Culture guides communication
• Culture influences both behaviour and
psychological processes

6. • Ethnocentrism
• Stereotyping
• Anxiety and Uncertainty
• Misinterpretation of Nonverbal and Verbal
Behaviours
• The Assumption of Similarity or Difference

7. • Varied Ideas of Appropriate Behaviour
• Diverse Learning Styles
• Vocabulary
• Nonverbal expressions
• Patterns of thought
• Social organization
• Attitudes
• Language
• Use and organization of space
• Physical disabilities
• Students at risk

8. Students ought to be:
• Given freedom
• Respected
• Shown warmth
• Controlled
• Given a chance at success

9. • Use the arts to encourage critical thinking about social issues
• Know your biases and stereotypes- check textbooks and other
resources for bias
• Tolerate the unknown
• Practice Cultural Respect- Reflect the cultural diversity of the
school in teaching strategies
• Educate yourself
• Affirm racial and cultural differences with regular and special
activities
• Be prepared for consequences
• Relate to the individual, not the culture
• Re-evaluate and eliminate your prejudices

10. As teachers we must aim to understand and
relate to each and every individual in our
classroom. This is necessary to keep clear lines
of communication between teacher and student
and student and student so that each person’s
cultural identity will be kept in tact and at the
same time students will feel comfortable, useful,
respected and safe in the learning environment.

11. References
• West, R., & Turner, L. (2006).Understanding
Interpersonal Communication: Making
Choices in Changing Times. United Kingdom:
Thomson Wadsworth
• Cooper, P.J., & Simonds, C.J. (2003).
Communication for the Classroom Teacher.
Pearson Ed, Inc.