Before we begin exploring strategies and frameworks, take a few moments to reflect on your own experience.
Belonging is often discussed in education, but it is not always explicitly defined. It can feel intuitive — something we recognise when it is present, and something we feel deeply when it is absent.
In culturally diverse classrooms, belonging plays a particularly powerful role. For international students, belonging is shaped not only by academic success, but also by social connection, cultural recognition, and psychological safety.
This short preparatory section is designed to help you surface your existing beliefs and experiences before engaging with the module content.
There are no right or wrong answers — the purpose is reflection.
Reflect on Your Experience
Consider the following questions:
- When have you personally experienced a strong sense of belonging in a professional or learning environment? What contributed to that feeling?
- When have you felt excluded or disconnected in a group setting? What factors influenced that experience?
- In your current teaching context, how do students demonstrate that they feel comfortable participating?
- Are there students who appear hesitant, withdrawn, or clustered within familiar cultural groups? What might be influencing this?
- What do you currently do — intentionally or unintentionally — that may support or limit students’ sense of belonging?
You do not need to submit written responses unless you wish to. Simply pause and reflect honestly on your own context and practice.
A Brief Perspective
Research consistently shows that a strong sense of belonging is associated with:
- Increased engagement
- Higher academic persistence
- Greater willingness to take learning risks
- Improved wellbeing
For international students, belonging can be influenced by factors such as language confidence, cultural familiarity, peer relationships, classroom norms, and representation within teaching materials.
Importantly, belonging is not created through a single activity or gesture. It is shaped through patterns — the repeated signals students receive about whether they are seen, respected, and valued.
As you move through this module, you may notice moments that affirm your current practice and moments that challenge it. Both are valuable.
Watch the following short videos before you start the lessons:
- Introduction to Culturally Relevant Pedagogy — Think about how this connects with your understanding of student identity and belonging.
- Windows and Mirrors: Learning About Differences—and Belonging — As you watch, reflect: Do my course materials more often act as mirrors or windows for students?
Reflection Prompt (to support viewing):
- What resonated most with you in these videos?
- How do the ideas presented link to your current practice?
- What one insight from the videos makes you curious to explore the module further?
Next Step
To activate your knowledge and identify areas for growth, please complete the short diagnostic quiz below.
The quiz is designed to help you reflect on your current understanding and practice before engaging with the core lessons.
When you are ready, begin the quiz
