SOCIOPOLITICS OF ELL

EDUCATION

By Russell Hampton
 WHAT ARE
SOCIOPOLITICS?

• Sociopolitics are the cultural

beliefs, assumptions and prior
knowledge that teachers and
students bring into the
classroom.
• These sociopolitics help
contribute to the classroom
environment and influences the
social and political climate of
the English Language learning
within the classroom
community.
 TH E I M P O RTA NC E O F
SO C I O P O L ITIC S I N TH E
C L A SSRO O M

• A teacher's personal beliefs, culture, and ideals

have a tremendous impact on their teaching
style, classroom environment, and interactions
with students.
• Students also bring in their own sets of
personal beliefs, culture, and ideals into the
classroom.
• Therefore as educators, it is important to
create a culturally responsive classroom so
that everyone feels a sense of safety in their
own learning environment.
 Multicultural education refers
to any form of education or
teaching that incorporates the
M U LT I C U LT U R A L
E D U C AT I O N histories, texts, values, beliefs,
and perspectives of people
from different cultural
backgrounds
 LEVELS OF MULTICULTURAL
EDUC ATION

SCHOOLS WILL HAVE DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO MULTICULTURAL

EDUCATION:
• 1) Monocultural: schools and institutions • 4) Respect: diversity is more clearly
whose practices and environment reflected in the school and the
represent only the dominant cultural curriculum. Opportunities are provided
for students to critically examine racially
• 2) Tolerance: schools and teachers are
charged issues
"colourblind" to students from diverse
backgrounds • 5) Affirmation: equity and social justice
are promoted, community and family
• 3) Acceptance: Differences are
involvement is high, and language
acknowledged, bilingual classrooms are
divisions are broken
welcome, and foreign language selection is
expanded
 C REATING A C U LTU RALLY
RES PONS IVE C L AS S ROOM

• Teachers can create a culturally responsive

classroom environment by implementing the
following strategies:
• Celebrating each students unique strengths
and the knowledge they bring into the
classroom
• Creating a safe place where students feel
comfortable exploring their cultural and
linguistic identities
• Identifying and nurturing personal language
learning goals
• Celebrating all language learning
achievements
 TIPS AND
STRATEGIES
FOR TEACHERS

• Be aware of the different stages

of culture shock and respond
patiently
• Connect with parents and
welcome them into the
classroom community
• Provide clear assessments and
expectations for your students
• Get to know your students:
• Learn about your student's
backgrounds, personal
interests, and their future
goals.
 MORE TIPS AND STRATEGIES

• Create learning materials and activities

that help to encourage students to
explore alternative cultural meanings
• Modify and adapt student assessment
practices to meet students' personal
needs and goals
• Allow opportunity for authentic peer-to-
peer communication and discussion
• Explore other cultures beyond important
heroes and holidays
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