The student population entering today’s classroom is more culturally and linguistically diverse than ever before. The National Center of Education Statistics (NCES), estimates that 10 percent of today’s students are identified as English as a Second Language (ESL) learners. This number is only expected to increase in the coming years. We also know the importance of a “sense of belonging” and “inclusion” has on a students’ desire and ability to learn. The challenge then for teachers is how to have these culturally and linguistically diverse students feel accepted in their classroom.

In this course, we will exam the many different strategies and techniques used by teachers to foster a sense of inclusion in their classrooms. The effectiveness of each strategy or technique is based upon a variety of factors including the individuals student’s home culture, the age and maturity level of their general student population, the amount of diversity that exists in the classroom, and the support of the student’s parents, just to name a few.

Participants will be asked to access these various factors and then with this information, come up with specific strategies and techniques to address the needs of their ESL students. They will communicate these strategies with both the instructors and peers to receive feedback on how they can make these actions even more effective.

After implementing them, they will then evaluate the impact each had on having their ESL students feel included in their classroom. And, which actions they plan on continuing to use, which they may refine and which they may discard.