5 Types of Diversity in the Classroom with Examples of Diversity Issues 

Back to: Learning and Teaching – Unit 4

Diversity means a combination of different social backgrounds, races, cultures, ethnicity, gender, religion, and different languages. Diversity is seen in the classroom too. Diversity in the classroom may even be related to the varying intellectual abilities and social skills of the students. Having diversity in the classroom helps students understand each other’s culture, language, and religion. Through diversity, a new perspective will be brought into the classroom.

Different Types of Diversity in the Classroom

The different types of diversity in the classroom are:

Race

Students of different races and colors may be there in the class. Children of various colors such as fair, dark, or tan will be present in the classroom.

Ethnicity

Students in the class will not have the same values and beliefs. Each will follow their own set of norms and interests in society.

Religion

Students following different religions and having beliefs in different God will be present in the classroom such as Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, and Christian.
 

Language

Not all students will speak the same language. Their mother tongue might be different such as Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, and more. The students will communicate with each other in their second language, English.

Gender

In a co-educational school, both girls and boys will be present in the class, and those form one type of diversity seen inside the classroom.

Examples of Diversity Issues

Clash of Opinions

As students will have different values and beliefs, there might be disagreement among the students regarding their ideas and opinions. This may cause difficulty to the teachers in continuing with the class effectively.

Teaching Styles

The techniques and methods a teacher may use to teach in the class may be liked by one and disliked by another. A teacher is responsible for making each student satisfied with his/her teaching while not hurting the sentiments of any student.

Difficult in Promoting Teamwork

Due to the student’s differences in opinions and beliefs, it may get difficult for the teacher to make the students work as a team and give them group activities.

These are the issue that may be faced due to diversity in the classroom. But diversity will also help students learn from each other and have compassion for one another’s religion and culture. For a teacher to teach effectively and for students to work as a team, understanding each other in every aspect is essential. This will lead to healthy relationships among the classmates and a good atmosphere in the classroom.