Diversity in Cognitive Abilities Learning Styles, Socio-Cultural Context and Language Diversity in the Classroom

Back to: Learning and Teaching – Unit 4

Diversity refers to 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 h other’s culture, language, ethnicity, religion, etc. Through diversity, a new perspective will be brought into the classroom.

Diversity can occur in the classroom concerning cognitive abilities, learning styles, language, and socio-cultural context which are elaborated below.

Diversity in Socio-cultural Context

1. Students of different races and colors may be there in the class.
2. Children of various colors such as fair, dark, or tan will be present in the classroom.
3. Students in the class will not have the same values and beliefs.
4. Each will follow their own set of norms and interests in society.
5. Students following different religions and having beliefs in different God will be present in the classroom such as Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, and Christian.

Diversity in Language

1. Not all students will speak the same language.
2. Their mother tongues might be different such as Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, and more.
3. The students will communicate with each other in their second language, English.
4. 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.

Diversity in Cognitive Abilities And Learning Styles

1. Students do not have the same learning abilities.
2. Some learners may grasp the concept quickly while some may grasp the same concept slowly.
3. Some may be good at solving mathematical problems while some may be good at remembering historical facts.
4. They may also have different learning styles as some learners may learn quickly while writing while some through listening and more.

Importance of Language Diversity in the Classroom and the Role of Teacher

Diversity will enable students to 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.