Leveraging Interculturality to Promote Student Growth
Grow to Glow: Leveraging Interculturality to Promote Student Growth
Presenters: Carolyn Taylor, Instructional Strategist; Julie Pacheco-Toye, Instructional Strategist
Presenter/Producer: Amy Rill, Instructional Technologist
In our interactive Sip and Share webinar on March 11, 2026, we invited educators to reflect on how classroom structures and instructional practices can help students take ownership of their learning. Through discussion and breakout conversations, participants explored ways to build strong classroom communities and use tools such as Can-Do Statements and student portfolios to support language and intercultural growth.
Building a Strong Classroom Community
- Creating a welcoming classroom environment where students feel safe taking risks with language.
- Establishing routines, norms, and shared expectations early in the year.
- Modeling authenticity and vulnerability as teachers to encourage student participation.
- Encouraging respect for diverse interests and perspectives within the classroom.
Encouraging Student Agency and Choice
- Providing students with meaningful choices in how they learn and demonstrate understanding.
- Using tools such as surveys, choice boards, and project options to incorporate student interests.
- Allowing students to select communication modes (speaking, writing, or presenting) to showcase their proficiency.
- Using strategies like stations, flexible grouping, and varied seating to support collaboration and engagement.
Supporting Growth with Can-Do Statements
- Using Can-Do Statements to clearly communicate learning goals and proficiency expectations.
- Connecting language learning to the three modes of communication: interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational.
- Integrating intercultural Can-Do Statements to guide students in investigating and interacting with cultural perspectives.
- Helping students track their progress toward proficiency levels.
Using Portfolios and Reflection
- Encouraging students to maintain portfolios to document their learning and development.
- Using self-assessment tools that allow students to rate their progress toward learning goals.
- Providing structured reflection opportunities to help students identify strengths and areas for growth.
- Supporting students with scaffolds such as word walls, chat mats, personal dictionaries, and error-analysis tools.
Key Takeaways
- A strong classroom community is foundational for student confidence and participation.
- Student choice and voice increase engagement and ownership of learning.
- Can-Do Statements and portfolios help students understand and monitor their own progress.
- Reflection and self-assessment are essential skills that must be explicitly taught and modeled.
Helpful Resources
Below are a few additional resources to help you discover more about these topics:
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