Abstract:

A recent Fulbright grant by the author at the University of Potsdam, Germany focused on providing Multicultural Teachers Education programs of instruction for European teachers from Germany and the European community. The purpose was to assist in-service and graduate teacher training programs at the university with the expanding multicultural student populations to acclimate with new environments by teaching critical thinking skills. Ten modules were developed and co-taught by a German professor and a Fulbright recipient United States professor at the University of Potsdam, Germany. Instructors infused ethnic and critical thinking content and perspectives by varying their teaching strategies to accommodate the learning styles of those who have immigrated and placed primarily in educational systems to continue their education within a new cultural environment. The program emphasized that competent multicultural instructors will assist with the expansion and improvement of their educational institutions by providing cultural and critical thinking training to migrants within the educational institutions of Germany and the European Community. The ability to work and communicate in global communities can only be achieved if students can analyze, evaluate, and integrate information that helps them comprehend social, cultural and economic policies. A migrant trained as a critical thinker at an early age can have an impact on expanding and improving the social, cultural and economic future within their environment. The teacher education programs included discussions on reasoning in a logical manner, an evaluation of what is written and spoken, a reflection on students’ ideas and individual thoughts, a reevaluation of reasoning, an opportunity to pose questions, and the analysis and clarification of student-teacher responses. This process will help teachers to assist students with becoming lifelong learners and using critical thinking techniques when making decision and adapting to new cultural environment. Infusing critical thinking into the multicultural teacher education curriculum ensures commitments are made to make reflective decisions and develop positive attitudes toward other ethnic, cultural, racial, religious or sexual identity groups. The focus of this multicultural teacher training curriculum is to assure multicultural teachers have the knowledge of various cultures, traditions, and religions to assist with the enrichment of students’ critical thinking skills. The teacher education seminars and the 10 module contents embrace new thinking, encouraged creativity, and foresee cause-and-effect relationships within the educational organizations. Critical thinking accepts and appreciates cultural diversity while respecting both human dignity and universal human rights. Instructors should serve as mentors to convey the characteristics and knowledge that enhances multicultural teaching coupled with the practice infusing critical thinking skills within the curriculum of all educational institutions.

Keywords:

Multicultural Teacher Education, Critical Thinking, Curriculum Development for Migrants, Enhancing Multicultural Teaching.