MULTICULTURAL

LITERACY
Multicultural Literacy
Multicultural Literacy consists of the skills and ability
to identify the creators of knowledge and their
interests (Banks, 1996), to uncover the assumptions
of knowledge, to view knowledge from diverse ethnic
and cultural perspective, and to use knowledge to
guided action that will create a humane and just
world (Boutte, 2008).
Multicultural Literacy
Brings attention to diversity, equity and social justice
to foster cultural awareness by addressing difficult
issues like discrimination and oppression towards
other ethnicities (Boutte, 2008).
 What is Multicultural-Literacy?
The awareness and appreciation of
different beliefs, appearance, and
lifestyle.
Advantages of Multiculturalism
Education
Professional
Multinational Companies
Skilled Migrant Labor
EDUCATION
changes in the syllabus of subjects, like history, to
accommodate a more comprehensive and broader
version of the past events.
PROFESSIONAL
Having a diverse group of workers always enriches
the office environment, improving the work culture.
MULTINATIONAL COMPANIES
A diverse population employed by these companies
in different countries helps them capture global
markets, increase customer base across nations, and
earn profits easily.
SKILLED MIGRANT LABOR
Multiethnic countries are home to majority of
immigrants, a significant population of it being a
highly educated skilled workforce.
Disadvantages of Multiculturalism
Education
Professional
Fear of Influence
Risk of Social Conflict
EDUCATION
Children from ethnic minorities or immigrant families
would take time in getting accustomed to a new
environment.
PROFESSIONAL
Although largely it is a benefit, managing a
multicultural workforce can be very demanding.
Prejudices of employees may work against the people
belonging to a minority.
FEAR OF INFLUENCE
They would lose their original ethnic identities or
lifestyle.
RISK OF SOCIAL CONFLICT
The possibility of a social conflict occurs due to
differences in religious beliefs and practices, ethnic
rituals, or certain ways of life that may cause a rift
between two or more groups.
Purpose of Multi-Cultural Literacy
Promotes empathy and unity
Promotes cross-cultural friendship
Helps students look critically at the world
Encourages identity formation
Promotes empathy and unity
Fosters positive self-esteem and prevents students
from feeling isolated. It has the ability to nurture
respect, empathy and acceptance among all students
(Steiner et al, 2008).
Promotes cross-cultural friendship
Promotes the interaction of children across differing
ethnic backgrounds (Steiner et al., 2008).
Helps students look critically at the world
Multicultural literature can help students develop
global awareness by introducing them to current
cultural issues.
Encourages identity formation
Identity formation is important in the social
development of all children, as it gives them a sense
of belonging and acceptance in society.
IN CLASSROOM SETTING
Increase self-worth
achieving educational equity
cultural pluralism
create a sense of empowerment in students
ability to work in groups in harmony
teaching from a multicultural perspective
Elements
cultural care
cultural understanding
cultural compatibility
cultural respect
empathy in facing cultural difference.