Cultural competence is a key ingredient for creating a supportive learning environment 

Social-emotional learning and cultural competence are much in vogue. However, very few people truly comprehend the significance. As we dig deep into these two terms, we realize that they are closely interlinked. For instance, a socially and emotionally developed individual with a high degree of knowledge and awareness will be more open towards diversified cultures across the globe.  

Socially, emotionally and culturally competent students apply these skills while interacting with society to cultivate strong associations with diverse groups in their workplace and community along with their personal connections. These aptitudes have become vital for the upcoming era in this fast-forward world.  

These are helpful to both students in parallel with teachers, boosting self-awareness, academic accomplishment, and optimistic attitude both in and out of the classroom. Students who are equipped to deal with challenges that affect them on a personal level are better competent to navigate the distress of adult life. 

As an educator, some of the terrible things you can listen to a student say is, “This is crazy,” or “Why are we learning this?” Imagine previously when you were in school and the subjects that caused you the most frustration. You’d likely discover some mutual ground with your students in hoping you were given distinct justifications about why something was essential and how learning a subject or skill would aid you now, as well as years later.  

That dissatisfaction and finding constructive ways to shape the future, to be able to deal with emotions and interact with one another in generous ways are just a few of the guiding principles behind SEL. While SEL isn’t incorporated as a subject yet like history or math, it can be woven into the fabric of a school’s curriculum. When educators make academic lessons more individualistic and relatable to students, students may be keener to join in and less likely to mentally zone out of their subjects.  

Students with these skills will be able to recognize, regulate and express their emotions efficiently. They will be more prone to feel less burnout and have boosted levels of relational reliance with their peers at work. This also demonstrates higher levels of tolerance and empathy, stimulates healthy communication, and aids in creating safe learning domains.  

Cultural competence can also be seen as a key ingredient towards creating a supportive learning environment that promotes all students' social and emotional learning. This caters to positively relieving stress, communicating effectively, fostering stronger relationships, curbing conflicts, and empathizing with others. SEL-in-action can include designing a group project where students self-delegate roles to work together in the interest of the group, role-playing as historical figures to personify the motive behind a person’s actions, or for students to perform formal interviews with one another to take a pulse-check on current events. 

Global steps have also been taken for SEL and cultural competence. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals are also roadways to reach the destination with the help of unity, support, and peace of all the people belonging to different nationalities. 

Jyoti Arora is the Principal of Mount Abu Public School, Sec-5, Rohini. Views expressed are personal.