ABSTRACT
Learning should take place in an environment that promotes creativity, inclusivity, and self-reliance, and enhance the sense of empowerment and efficacy among students. Teachers need to create inclusive classrooms where all students have a chance to succeed. This chapter argues that for teachers to be able to cater for the diverse needs of students, a responsive learning atmosphere should be created. To achieve this, teachers need to be versatile, flexible, and reflective. The chapter deals with the culturally responsive teaching and the characteristics of culturally responsive teaching. Gay defines cultural responsive teaching as using the cultural knowledge, prior experiences, and frames of references and performance styles of ethnically diverse students to make learning encounters more relevant to effective for them. Knowledge and use of effective communication skills are at the heart of effective teaching. Learning is responsive to a particular culture, therefore, it is important that teachers align pedagogy and curriculum with students' culture.
