Cultural Awareness in the Classroom:
What You Need to Know
Have you ever said something in class
that made your students go completely silent… and not in a good way?
Let’s talk about cultural awareness—why it’s
important and how you can be more sensitive to your learners’ backgrounds.
I’m Jo Gakonga from ELT-Training, and in
today’s video, we’re looking at three simple ways to be culturally aware in
your classroom…
Tip 1: Be Curious, Don’t Assume
Every learner brings a unique cultural lens.
Instead of assuming things about holidays, customs, or behaviours, ask them!
Tip 2: Think about your Examples and
Materials
When you use names, places, and cultural
references, include a mix. It doesn’t have to be "John and Mary from
London" – you could use names and faces from different cultures.
Representation matters and English speaking cities tend to be very culturally
diverse
Tip 3: Respect Communication Styles
Some cultures value directness; others prefer
a more indirect approach. Some learners are uncomfortable with open
disagreement or public praise. Pay attention to this and adapt—what works in
one context may feel uncomfortable in another.
Have you had a moment when cultural awareness
made a difference in your teaching?
