Week 3: Multicultural Education in Canada and in China
Multicultural Education in Canada and in China (Session 2A)
This week, we invite you to study multicultural education in Canada and China as contextualized in globalization, and to understand how different historical, social, cultural contexts contributed to different interpretations and practices in terms of multi-cultures and multiculturalism.
Read the articles in response to this week’s questions critically by reflecting on your own learning or teaching experience. We provide additional resources for those of you interested in expanding your knowledge of the Chinese language and culture and/or the English language and Canadian culture.
Readings
Assignments
Infographic Reading Summary or Reflective Summary
You can choose either summarize your reading visually and creatively on one page or write a reflective summary in 2-3 pages (12 Times New Roman, Double Space) based on the provided readings and/or learning resources.
Questions to Consider This Week
1. To what extent do you agree with the statement: “We must robustly challenge nationalism that is on the rise, and those who construct diversity within a deficit framework; that positions diversity not as a source of strength, but as a source of weakness, and a drain the resources of nations” (Lopez 2017, p. 156). What does diversity with deficit thinking look like? Instead of deficit thinking, what kind of interpretation of diversity could be adopted?
2. Do you agree with Zhang and Chen (2014) that multicultural education in Chinese contexts is different from that in Canada? If so, how would you understand the differences?
Resources for West-East Reciprocal Learning
Language and Culture Learning Materials (English/Chinese)
For non-Chinese native speakers:
- Amazing China—Scarlet Rocks Under Glacier
- Amazing China—Huge Bonsa between Water and Sky
- Amazing China—The Tectonic Story of Sanpan Stone
For non-English native speakers:
- Canada’s Multiculturalism—Worth Defending
- Canada’s multicultural image—How its branding fell short
