Communication is an essential skill utilized by any teacher. It is important to be a culturally competent communicator. It is also important to identify the belief systems of both the student and teacher to spot blocks to communication:

ETHNOCENTRISM

Inability to accept anothers culture's world view; "my way is the best"

DISCRIMINATION

Differential treatment of an individual due to minority status; actual and perceived; e.g., "we just aren't equipped to serve people like that."

STEREOTYPING

Generalizing about a person while ignoring presence of individual difference; e.g., "she's like that because she's Asian -- all Asians are nonverbal."

CULTURAL BLINDNESS

Differences are ignored and one proceeds as though differences did not exist; e.g., "there's no need to worry about a person's culture -- if you're a sensitive teacher, you do okay."

CULTURAL IMPOSITION

Belief that everyone should conform to the majority; e.g., "we know what's best for you, if you don't like it you can go elsewhere."

E

Everyone has a culture.

T

Take time to collect relevant cultural information.

H

Hold all judgements; ie. be careful about interpreting the culturally different student's behavior, especially if unfamiliar with the culture.

N

Notice and negotiate differences in understanding of teaching and learning.

I

Involve cultural resources as approtriate.

C

Collaborate to develop objectives and educational strategies.