Culturally Responsive Teaching for Multilingual Learners

Tools for Equity

"It is not like me to finish a book in one sitting. I did with this book! I could see these activities in action with my staff. A value to staff and creating a multi-cultural school environment and culture of acceptance.”

“Culturally Responsive Teaching for Multilingual Learners is a must read for anyone in the field of education.  The authors have done an outstanding job of helping the reader to recognize cultural bias as well as demonstrating how to overcome this bias so that all students can achieve success, regardless of their background. I highly recommend this book!” 

"Given the growing anti-immigration and Black Lives Matter Movements in the USA, I cannot imagine a better time to seriously consider the role of culture in our classrooms and how culture and teacher beliefs about their students and families ultimately hold the key to success for our multilingual learners. This book goes to the heart of these crucial issues and effectively advocates for assets-based approaches in our schools. This book has something for everyone: teachers, future teachers, and teacher leaders."

"For far too long, MLs have felt pressure to assimilate to the dominant culture in the US, and learning English also meant learning how to be a good American. While we have gotten rid of the infamous 'Melting Pot,' this book asks us to go farther in truly realizing the American Dream of equity for all. Written clearly and organized in a logical fashion, this excellent addition to the field takes readers through each important topic asking them to engage in critical thinking and self-reflection. Each chapter includes an excellent review of the relevant literature and theoretical constructs, but more importantly, each chapter also includes thought-provoking questions that help the reader grow and directly apply those theories to helping build more equitable school and classroom communities." 

"Culturally Responsive Teaching for Multilingual Learners is a crucial resource for educators who are searching for ways to empower students by honoring, acknowledging, and infusing who they are into our classrooms.  Drawing from their expertise in and experts from the field, this powerful duo has written another completely accessible book filled with authentic examples, sketchnotes, student portraits, and printable tools. High praise to Snyder and Staehr Fenner for bringing this contribution to us all."

"A relevant and research-based interactive text that guides educators through the process of becoming culturally responsive with multilingual learners. Using practical strategies such as case studies, video clips, and sketch notes, educators will be led through exercises inspiring them to become more reflective about their own culturally responsive teaching."

"With an unflinching focus on equity, Snyder and Staehr Fenner offer an asset-focused, forward-looking, and nuanced text in service of multilingual learners, drawing from the most relevant and up-to-date sources. Intended for a broad and inclusive audience, Snyder and Staehr Fenner address the tensions and competing issues within the field, and offer pragmatic, attainable steps forward, with accessible explanations, interactive questions and planning guides, as well as video clips to highlight key constructs. This text is an outstanding resource for all those engaged in the education of multilingual learners."

"And they have done it again…another invaluable resource for all educators. As an ESL teacher, coach, and teacher educator, this is going to be a go-to book for workshops, pre-service educators, and for professional development. This text is mindful and intentional in how it addresses so many aspects of culturally-responsive teaching, and the reflection questions are a beautiful addition for educators to self-examine their own practices. Ta bluh doh mah (thank you very much)."

“Sydney Snyder and Diane Staehr Fenner have succeeded in exploring the complex intersectionality of culture, equity and language. The result is this thoughtful, insightful book that gives educators real step-by-step tools and strategies to increase their professional learning and sensitivity.  We are in a volatile time in our history, when the need for cross-cultural understanding and healing could not be greater. Snyder and Staehr Fenner meet educators where they are and guide them expertly and with understanding through the process of becoming self-aware and culturally-responsive.”

"This book fills a critical niche. All too often, literature about culturally relevant pedagogy lacks application and leaves multilingual learners out of the discussion. Snyder and Staehr Fenner delivered exactly what the field of TESOL has needed for quite some time. This practical guide to culturally responsive instruction for teachers of multilingual learners will be a must for teachers of MLs to have on their shelves as well as for teacher-educators to include in their methods courses. It is timely, thoughtful, and user-friendly. I look forward to using it in my courses!"