Culture & Context TESOL

Candidates must know, understand, and use major theories and research related to the nature and role of culture in their instruction as ESOL teachers. They demonstrate understanding of how cultural groups and individual cultural identities affect language learning and school achievement. Students also come to understand the effects of stereotyping the cultural characteristics of ESL students as well as the impact culture has on students' learning styles and classroom experiences. Students examine the potential impact their teaching strategies have in the ESL classroom with regard to understanding their own cultural characteristics and presuppositions. This course develops cultural perspectives on language teaching and learning, and examines the impact of culture and context on curriculum and assessment in a broad range of programs and pedagogies which serve English Language Learners, including those with disabilities.