A Culture of Care: The Role of Culture in Today's Mainstream Classrooms

Abstract

Challenges researchers and teachers face in meeting culturally and linguistically diverse students’ needs are certainly multidimensional and complex. In this article, the authors share their perspective of the Māori culture of Aotearoa, New Zealand, and the culturally and linguistically diverse students at large. Culture is defined as it relates to this indigenous people along with other groups and a sound framework for specific actions that are necessary in achieving positive learning outcomes is provided. The article seeks to help policymakers and practitioners develop an astute and extensive understanding of the issues related to culturally and linguistically diverse students and their unique needs in today's heterogeneous classrooms.

Keywords:

• CAP model
• culturally and linguistically diverse students
• culturally responsive and inclusive pedagogy
• role of culture