Title: Hispanic & Latino American Diversity Cultural Information | BYU McKay School of Education
Headings: Hispanic & Latino American Diversity Cultural Information
Hispanic & Latino American Diversity Cultural Information
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Hispanic & Latino Americans
History & Background
Notable Events
Culture & Traditions

Content: It is a broad ethnic classification of people originating from over 20 countries in Central and South America. Educators need to account for diversity among Hispanic students. The family is the nucleus of Hispanic life. Involving the family as much as possible in the education process will not only help the student, but also increase the likelihood of future educational success among all family members. Many Hispanic students are bilingual. If they are not proficient in their native language or the language spoken at home, they may have difficulty with English language skills or reading comprehension in school. Teachers should encourage increasing English skills through bilingual education programs or methods, understanding that true bilingualism means being proficient in both English and the native language. Educators should also understand and respect cultural differences. For example, Hispanics tend to have closer personal space and value physical contact. Appearance and group memberships are very important.