The topic we have decided to address is cultural sensitivity in the classroom. Living in Toronto is extremely different from living anywhere else on this earth. One reason why, is the cultural diversity of Toronto. Even in today’s workforce there is a massive amount of cultural diversity that is why having cultural sensitivity in today’s classrooms should be a huge asset. Canada is a country that is now relying on immigrants coming to our country to help run the economy. It is an extremely good thing that people from different cultures are trained to speak English before they come to Canada or having them take an English learning course once they arrive in the country. By doing this, they are given an equal opportunity in Canada.

Luckily we were born in Toronto where we all communicated using the English language. We found that the students that couldn’t speak English were seen as second class students in an English speaking school. Not only were they set back in the classroom but also among peers as well, due to the lack of communication with other students. These students were mocked on their clothing, accent or if they can’t speak English, their language.

As children we don’t realize how our actions truly do affect others. Just like how Albert Bandura stated that our environment affects ones behavior. If your whole environments in treating you like an outsider how does that affect ones behavior (Boeree, p. 1). Having multicultural diversity in classroom eliminates the ‘outsiders’ label and gives everybody and equal chance to be educated. Even before immigrant students start entering in to the schools, they should be enrolled in a classroom where they are taught English. This way these students can enter the classroom on a more equal playing field with the rest of the students instead of being labeled as an outside due the lack of communication. Also if they are educated on the English language they also do not worry about being teased or put aside because of their language.

Having a multicultural diverse classroom would be a great way for students to educate themselves about other cultures and different types of people which would get them ready for the real world. Another benefit to this is that once a person is taught how to speak English, that student is now bilingual or maybe even trilingual. Not many educators see this, but it is a huge benefit in the class room. If a student can communicate with the rest of the students and even teach them the language that they primarily speak it makes for a much more inviting classroom.

Marite Haynes stated that the literature also has to change to help introduce multiculturalism to the class room (Haynes p.1). I agree with his statement because I clearly remembered that all children’s literature involved only English words. Teachers teaching TESOL course should use more books that can educate others about the diversity of languages and cultures. These books can also make non English readers more comfortable having words that they recognized mixed in with the language they are learning.

The literature must change to help stop children’s minds becoming ignorant and one sided. Having a lack of culture diversity will tend to leave students following stereotypes that the media portrays about different cultures. Mainstream books not only effects culture but provides children with a since of what is normal and what isn’t normal. By teaching cultural diversity it shows children to be open minded to those who dress, act or speak differently from themselves.

Donovan Fernandes & Julie Rivett