Empowering Chinese International Students to Overcome Initial Barriers: Leveraging insights from Culturally Responsive Pedagogy

Facilitators: 

Elaine Khoo, Associate Professor, Teaching Stream, Coordinator, English Language Development Support, Centre for Teaching and Learning, UTSC 
Xiangying Huo, Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream, Center for Teaching and Learning, UTSC 

Recognizing that linguistically and culturally diverse English Language Learners are greatly disadvantaged when they are constantly being measured against Western academic writing norms, it is important to address the inequity of learning conditions that they face at university.

This workshop aims to shift perspectives and challenge practices that may have been inadvertently related to deficit thinking and negative stereotypes about Chinese international students. Given the changing demographics and backgrounds of these students, let us explore how we could make small changes in our teaching and evaluation methods in order to optimize the benefits these students bring to their courses and learning communities.

With an introduction to key elements of culturally responsive pedagogy, participants will explore actionable strategies for dismantling stereotypes for students across a range of different cultures, fostering an educational environment that celebrates diversity, enhances mutual learning, and establishes a richer and more inclusive academic experience for all.