Integrating Cultural Humility into English Teaching
Presenter: Karin Bates, Intercambio
What happens when we re-frame the concept of cultural competence and instead find an approach that incorporates constant learning, curiosity and appreciation for differences, and the desire to question our own beliefs and biases? While cultural competence is important to develop in ourselves as ESOL teachers and administrators, it falls short of what is truly needed. When we incorporate cultural humility, we can begin to break down power imbalances, understand our own biases, build more authentic cross-cultural connections, and communicate more effectively across language barriers.
In this workshop, we explore what cultural humility means, how to practice it, and the impacts of building cultural humility on student learning. We will explore these ideas with the help of specific concepts, tools, and examples. For anyone interested in advancing their journey around equity, this topic is foundational.
