Culturally Relevant Teaching

Beverly Tillman

Culturally relevant teaching is a term associated with multicultural education. Culturally relevant teaching is a pedagogical approach that utilizes students' cultures as an integral part of the instructional process. Proponents of this approach place a high value on affirming the culture of students and on recognizing culture as an important lens through which students perceive, think, and learn. Proponents of culturally relevant teaching also stress that student motivation is heightened when educational content and methodologies are representative of students' cultures. Opponents argue that the traditional curriculum is suitable for everyone and better prepares students for their lives beyond school. Opponents also express concern that the curriculum can become fragmented and divisive when so many different perspectives are represented. Although not all educators endorse culturally relevant teaching, it is nonetheless a prominent issue as educators grapple with ways to provide an engaging, quality education for an increasingly diverse student population. The ...

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