Podcast Script:

Host-Hello and welcome to our podcast “Teacher Talk.” Today our podcast will be about designing learning environments that are appropriately responsive to linguistic variation and diversity in the classroom. Let’s get started!
Host: Let’s welcome our first guest speaker, Azaria …

-Teacher #1 : As teachers we need to look at ways we can encourage diversity and overall acceptance in the classroom. A great way to encourage students to accept each other and hopefully prevent early prejudice based bias from developing is using the jigsaw classroom model. The Jigsaw strategy asks a group of students to become “experts” on a specific text or body of knowledge and then share that material with another group of students. This strategy offers a way to help students understand and retain information while they develop their collaboration skills.
The jigsaw classroom has a four-decade track record of successfully reducing racial conflict and increasing positive educational outcomes such as improved test performance, reduced absenteeism, and greater liking for school.
Just as in a jigsaw puzzle, each piece — each student's part — is essential for the completion and full understanding of the final product.
If each student's part is essential, then each student is essential; and that is precisely what makes this strategy so effective.
This model encourages students to work together and see themselves as a team. When students have this mentality, they are more likely to accept one another’s differences. Therefore when they recognize differences in language, accents, beliefs, and backgrounds, students are more likely to embrace the diversity.

Host: That is great information to keep in mind! Teachers are the leaders in a classroom and need to ensure and encourage diversity and equality from all aspects. The Jigsaw strategy is a great example and strategy to use in the classroom in order to get all students involved in activities! This strategy should be used more frequently, great tips Azaria! Now let's hear from our second speaker Mazal!

-Teacher #2: Being conscious is the first step in tackling cultural and language differences. The act of incorporating culture and language abilities while planning curriculum and activities increases the likelihood of inclusive education. Learn about your pupils' ethnic origins and show admiration for them. Teachers exhibit tolerance and understanding for diverse cultures for their students. Learn more about your students' life outside of the classroom and use that knowledge to inform your teaching. Try to discover examples that are meaningful to pupils from many cultures and backgrounds, for example. Accept differences in teaching techniques. Making an attempt to accommodate various communication preferences, cognitive styles, and aptitudes leads to lessons that are more likely to reach all pupils. Encourage pupils to apply what they've learned to their own life. Bring in a variety of guest speakers to the classroom. -Mazal Y

-Host: Very interesting points Mazal, I totally agree it is very important to learn and understand the home life a student is coming from, that way teachers can better prepare for what to include in the classroom to make a diverse and accepting classroom environment. I’m sure students appreciate seeing and noticing that their teacher took their personal linguistic repertoires into consideration!

-Host: Now let's hear from our third speaker…Athena!

-Teacher #3: Athena

Understanding the ways in which children communicate
- Translanguaging; All language users participate in translanguaging, a theory that explains the existence of a “linguistic repertoire.” Depending on the situation, people may utilize different language tools. Understanding that children may have developed different language practices than the ones that are presented in the classroom is an essential first step to creating an inclusive environment for them.
Affirming the ways in which children communicate
Encouraging children to communicate in the ways that are comfortable
Designing welcoming conditions:
Discussion based classrooms are normally highly encouraged, but sometimes the speed and flow of discussions is not inclusive for all students. Students who are anxious about speaking up or communicating best in a nonverbal manner will not be able to fully participate in classroom discussions. As an alternative, perhaps you can utilize independent writing time, journaling, etc.
Vary the experiences and activities that you present in the classroom
Switching up groups, partners, etc. as well as implement one on one instruction
Vary the ways you present information: slides, pictures, definitions, etc.

Host: Very insightful information Athena, and thank you for your definitions of key terms to keep in mind when trying to create a linguistic variation setting in the classroom! I especially agree with your point about the difficulties with using discussion based learning in the classroom. I can totally see your point about students feeling anxious about speaking up, especially if they do not feel confident in their language capabilities. The other ways you mentioned such as journaling or independent writing will be a nice way to make sure everyone fits in nicely! Great ideas! Now let’s hear from Olivia!

-Teacher #4: Olivia:
Having an inclusive and diverse classroom.

It is important that each student feels appreciated and loved for who they are. From the beginning, it is important that each child is proud of their identity and that no one feels left out.
As teachers, it is important to embrace each student’s language and culture so the child does not feel nervous to participate in class. When a student speaks another language other than the primary language being used in the classroom, the child may feel intimidated by this, and so for the student to feel comfortable, the teacher should establish a welcoming and diverse classroom.
Ways that a teacher may do this is by encouraging translanguaging, using different languages throughout their lesson to expose the students to more diverse ways of communicating.

Host: Those are some very important points you touched on Olivia. It is very important for students to feel appreciated and comfortable every time they step into a classroom, especially from day one! I also agree with your statements about embracing each student's language diversity. It is important for students not to feel ashamed or uncomfortable if they speak another language. The additional languages they speak should be seen and embraced in a positive light, and be incorporated to ensure a diverse classroom environment!

Teacher #5: Kailyn:
All of the teachers that have spoken have come up with such great ideas regarding the incorporation of linguistic variation and diversity in the classroom setting. It is so incredibly important for teachers to establish a warm and welcoming classroom environment that is encouraging of all students, as previously mentioned. Teachers must allow students to speak in such a way that is comfortable to them and feels true to who they are, as there is no one “right way” to speak. By allowing students to embrace their linguistic backgrounds rather than suppress them, they are able to participate more freely and feel a greater sense of belonging in the classroom. Teachers should also make an effort to get to know their students (and their families) on a more personal level, as this will create a sense of trust and acceptance among students and their families. They can do so by encouraging students to share information regarding their linguistic/cultural backgrounds (which may include family history, family traditions, activities they engage in, foods they prepare and eat, etc.) and using the information gathered to educate other students in the class on different linguistic/cultural practices.

Host: Thank you Kailyn for your feedback on this matter. You bring up important points regarding acceptance and trust, not just between the teacher and student but their families as well. It is so crucial that everyone be included and encouraged to participate in ways that are diverse and accepting! Great job everyone, and thank you for your input and participation in ideas for diversifying the classroom and making it a safe and welcoming space for all students. We hope this podcast provides some ideas for others in diversifying their classrooms! Thanks for listening!