Classroom teachers of the 21st century have a demanding mission to accomplish- meeting the literacy needs of all their students. In many states, including Tennessee, the inclusion classroom has become the accepted practice and placement for all students. Educators are being asked to instruct a diverse group of students, including the increasing amount of students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds (Cartledge & Kourea, 2010). Putting into practice strategies for students that come from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds learners is becoming more and more significant. If schools and states are to successfully impact all students, …show more content…
Cultural and linguistic diverse students have individual needs; hence, it is vital that issues related to their literacy education be identified. By establishing culturally responsive classrooms, and improving vocabulary instruction delivery to diverse learners, educators can more readily impact student success.
Challenges Related to Literacy Education Although there are many different challenges related the teaching of culturally and linguistic diverse learners in the literacy program, having culturally responsive teachers and providing effective vocabulary instruction in the general education literacy curriculum program seems to be two of the most pressing challenges that many educational settings face. Cartledge et al. (2010) informs readers, through their research, that language and culture are indistinguishably linked. Students learn language in their homes, churches and at social events. Without a doubt, all cultures have their own language rules that are specific …show more content…
Educators are being asked to step up and meet these challenges head on. By understanding the individual needs of cultural and linguistic students, building culturally responsive classrooms, and providing good vocabulary instruction, educators can help to ensure student success.
Results from this literature synthesis shown the need for teacher education in the area of culturally responsive classrooms and vocabulary instruction. If teachers are to be successful in teaching students with varying cultural backgrounds, they themselves must be aware of their own cultural beliefs. They must also be aware of how to incorporate other cultures into their classrooms. Educators must also be willing to teach vocabulary through meaningful texts and provide visuals for student interpretation. Students cannot be expected to derive meanings of words by reading definitions. There is much debate on what is the right way to meet the educational needs of English Language Learners. The results of this research lead to further questions. What are possible professional development trainings for culturally responsive classrooms? What are the results of studies conducted on vocabulary instruction for culturally and linguistically diverse students through the use of read aloud and shared