Managing diversity in the classroom

In his analysis of the qualities of a good international manager for the EU financed INCA (Intercultural Competence Assessment) Project, Professor Michael Byram of Durham University in the UK identified ‘respect for otherness’ as one of six key areas. In his INCA Framework he identified proficiency in this area at three levels of competence, basic, intermediate and full. At the Basic level managers and teachers decide too quickly what is good and bad but develop tolerance and learn gradually to adapt. At the Intermediate level they accept that values, norms and behaviours may be different and accept the difference provided their own cultural assumptions have not been violated. Their motivation is to put others at ease and ultimately avoid causing offence. At the Full level they work to ensure equal treatment in the workplace or classroom and can deal tactfully with any issues raised. This paper explores the issues raised by cultural diversity in the workplace and in the classroom, both in terms of behaviour and the use of language in training, and suggests ideas and strategies that teachers can use to manage diversity positively in the classroom.