Since 1945 more than 7.2 million people have migrated to Australia, leading to Australia's multiculturalism. This diversity can be seen in the education system, where many students are either born overseas or have parents born overseas. This multiculturalism in the classroom evident in the table below.
(Australian Bureau of Statistics 2010-11)
Highlighted in this table, it is encapsulated that there is a high number of international students in today's Australian education, especially from China.
In 1996 it was recorded that 41% of Australians were born overseas, or children of those born overseas, thus having a vital impact on Australia's education. This lead to programs including the ‘English Second Language’ program, which was established to assist those students who struggled with English. This program has had vital impacts on the learning of these students, providing them with opportunities to further their education.
According to University of New South Wales' (UNSW) Multicultural Policies and Services Program, at UNSW there is a diverse student population. As of 2010, out of the 52,523 number of students, 56.5% students spoke English at home and 20% were international students. This accentuates not only Australia multiculturalism, but also its effect on its education.
Diversity has also introduced more racism and bullying throughout schools and classrooms. Highlighted in the article 'Schools a hotbed of racism: study', which states that MORE than two-thirds of young people are the victims of racism at school, with migrant women most at risk.
Also due to multiculturalism, alienation and segregation increases throughout schooling. In the article 'Indigenous Australians’ Attitudes Towards Multiculturalism, Cultural Diversity', the authors state that cultural outcasts "remain a recognised out-group that is often differentiated against in terms of their cultural acceptability by most of the other citizens of that settler society". (Dunn, K.M., Kamp, A., Shaw, W.S., Forrest, J. & Paradies, Y. 2010). This can be applied throughout schools and classrooms where cultural students are seen and accepted as 'outcasts'.
Teachers now must be trained in learning how to teach students of different needs due to cultural differences. To teach effectively teachers must become aware of their own identities, cultures and biases while teacher to a diverse classroom, create a safe and comforting environment for the students, connect and discuss with students experiences and interests, provide evaluation and feedback and train students in developing high order thinking, by reflecting on class discussions, activities and readings.
Diversity not only comes with economic advantages, but classroom benefits. This includes multiple perspectives and different I ways of thinking with a broader view of the world, while also assisting to breaking down stereotypes. In a multicultural environment, students and teachers also learn to acknowledge people of different backgrounds.
Multiculturalism have lead to classrooms becoming more diversified while programs/goals must be established in order to break down racism. The education system must also be providing these overseas born students with the same opportunities as Australian born. As ultimately it is about integrating positive racial idiosyncrasies in a classroom.
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References
Australia Bearaeu of Statistics (2013) FEATURE ARTICLE 1: OVERSEAS STUDENT ENROLMENTS WITH HIGHER EDUCATION PROVIDERS. Accessed 19th October from
http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/1301.0Chapter12082009%E2%80%9310
Perkins, M. (2009) A hotbead of Racsim: Study. Sydney Morning Herald. Accessed 20th Octboer from http://www.smh.com.au/national/schools-a-hotbed-of-racism-study-20091118-imk8.html#ixzz2iaf5w22a
AAP (2010) Migration cuts hurt education sector. Sydney Morning Herald. Accessed 19th of September from http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/migration-cuts-hurt-education-sector-20100727-10sym.html
Australia Bearaeu of Statistics (2013) FEATURE ARTICLE 1: OVERSEAS STUDENT ENROLMENTS WITH HIGHER EDUCATION PROVIDERS. Accessed 19th October from
http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/1301.0Chapter12082009%E2%80%9310
Dunn, K.M., Kamp, A., Shaw, W.S., Forrest, J. & Paradies, Y. (2010). Indigenous Australians’ Attitudes Towards Multiculturalism, Cultural Diversity, ‘Race’ and Racism, Journal of Australian Indigenous Issues, 13(4), 19-31.
Perkins, M. (2009) A hotbead of Racsim: Study. Sydney Morning Herald. Accessed 20th Octboer from http://www.smh.com.au/national/schools-a-hotbed-of-racism-study-20091118-imk8.html#ixzz2iaf5w22a
Sunrise (2012) Sunrise : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHnCclol1LM·
Tovey, J. (2013). Rich themes of cultural diversity in 'belonging' HSC question. Sydney Morning Herald, October 15th 2013. Accessed 20th October from http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/rich-themes-of-cultural-diversity-in-belonging-hsc-question-20131014-2vixi.html
Tovey, J. (2013). Rich themes of cultural diversity in 'belonging' HSC question. Sydney Morning Herald, October 15th 2013. Accessed 20th October from http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/rich-themes-of-cultural-diversity-in-belonging-hsc-question-20131014-2vixi.html
University of New South Wales (2010) MULTICULTURAL POLICIES AND SERVICES PROGRAM accessed 21st October http://www.hr.unsw.edu.au/equity/2010_Multicultural_Policies_and_Programs.pdf
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