Cultural Sensitivity for Staff in Int’l Schools in Qatar

Course Description: This online course is designed to help staff members, including teachers, school administrators, and teaching assistants, develop cultural knowledge, appreciation, and sensitivity to support Qatari and non-Qatari students in the state of Qatar while emphasizing the importance of respect for Qatar’s culture, heritage, and Islamic values. Participants will explore topics such as understanding cultural differences, effective communication across cultures, fostering inclusive learning environments, and applying cultural sensitivity in practice.

Learning Objectives: By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Develop an understanding of cultural diversity in Qatar and its impact on educational settings, while respecting Qatar’s culture, heritage, and Islamic values.
2. Identify common cultural misconceptions and biases and apply strategies to promote cultural sensitivity, with consideration for Islamic principles.
3. Demonstrate effective communication skills for building positive relationships in a culturally diverse school environment, grounded in respect for Islamic values.
4. Create inclusive learning environments that respect and celebrate Qatar’s cultural diversity, heritage, and Islamic values.
5. Apply cultural sensitivity principles in practice to support the academic and socio-emotional well-being of students from diverse backgrounds in Qatar, while upholding respect for Islamic values.

Course Structure:

• Module 1: Introduction to Cultural Diversity and Sensitivity in Qatar
• Module 2: Understanding Cultural Differences and Islamic Values
• Module 3: Communicating Across Cultures with Respect for Islamic Principles
• Module 4: Fostering Inclusive Learning Environments in Qatar
• Module 5: Applying Cultural Sensitivity and Respect for Islamic Values in Practice

Course Materials:

• Articles:
  • “Cultural Diversity in Schools: From Rhetoric to Practice” by Sonia Nieto
  • “Promoting Cultural Diversity and Multiculturalism in Early Childhood Education” by Marjorie O’Loughlin
  • “Developing Cultural Competence in Teachers” by Geneva Gay
  • “Addressing Cultural Sensitivity in the Classroom” by Sarah Earley
  • “Cultural Competence: A Primer for Educators” by Zaretta Hammond
• Online Resources:
  • Teaching Tolerance (tolerance.org)
  • Cult of Pedagogy (cultofpedagogy.com)
  • Edutopia (edutopia.org)
  • Qatar National Library (qnl.qa)
  • UNESCO Education for Sustainable Development (unesco.org)

Assessment: Participants will be assessed through multiple-choice questions at the end of each module, focusing on key concepts and learning objectives covered. There will be at least 10 questions for each module.

Feedback and Support: Participants can email their questions, and an automated email response system will acknowledge receipt of their inquiries. Additionally, frequently asked questions (FAQs) will be provided within the course materials to address common queries.

Course Timeline: The course is self-paced, with participants expected to dedicate approximately 5 hours to complete all modules. Participants should aim to finish the course within a reasonable timeframe after enrollment.