Fostering a Culturally Responsive Pedagogy through Teacher's Discourse: A Case of Graduate Class at a U.S. University

The study aims at addressing the role of teachers in implementing Culturally Responsive Pedagogy (CRP) in a diverse classroom. In response to the increasing demand on multiculturalism and ethnicity in the US classrooms, CRP can work as a bridge between the compartmentalized education system and the needs of the students (Richards, et al. 2007). A number of researchers have discussed the significant role teachers play in fostering cultural-linguistic pedagogical practices in the classroom; nonetheless, limited or no research has focused on how teacher's discourse fosters CRP in diverse contexts. This paper highlights how the teacher's classroom discourse can facilitate CRP practices for diverse learners. For this purpose, the study examines one course taught at a Midwest University of USA and that course instructor's specific discourses used in the classroom to address the goals of CRP. The research method involves Participatory Action Research (PAR) conducted through interviews and questionnaire. At the end, the research focuses on how teachers can foster the goals of CRP to leverage the gaps in the existing education system.