Intercultural Education in the Post-Primary School - National Council ...

For learners of a second language, it isimportant to provide a range of cues andsupports in order to enable them tounderstand the language that is being used.Gesture, other non-verbal means ofcommunication and pictures can be auseful support to a second language learnerin understanding what is being said.The class community can become aresource for learners of a second language,and can, in the process, develop importantintercultural capacities and abilities.Some of the strategies for doing this are asfollows:• Ensure that all students understand thatthe classroom is a place in which peoplelearn the language of instruction at thesame time as they learn other subjects(History, Mathematics, etc.). Explain theimportance of a supportive environmentwhere people can speak and makemistakes without fear of ridicule.• Suggest ways in which the students cansupport and help their classmates, suchas repeating or rephrasing statements, orusing gesture, pictures or written words.• Model and role-play strategies forasking for clarification and forconfirming comprehension.46Intercultural Education in the Post-Primary School