Classroom conversations creating cultural competency
Ninitha Koya shares how NZ’s inclusive, student-focused approach helps students thrive.
Ninitha Koya, a former international student, as she shares how New Zealand's emphasis on inclusivity, cultural awareness, and student-centered learning fosters an environment where students excel both academically and personally.
Fostering Inclusivity: Ninitha's Educational Journey in New Zealand
Ninitha Koya was born in Kerala, South India, and has travelled extensively throughout her life. Her educational journey began with a bachelor’s degree in her home country, followed by a move to London, where she completed her master’s in public relations. As a public relations professional, she gained valuable experience working in various international settings.
Ninitha's quest for knowledge and cultural exploration led her to New Zealand, where she pursued a PhD in Management Communications at the University of Waikato.
We were keen to explore a new country. We were looking for one that was peaceful and offered a vibrant multi-cultural context, and we hit upon New Zealand.
For Ninitha Koya, education is all about conversations—listening and learning from other people’s life journeys. Ninitha now teaches business communications to diverse classes at Wintec in Hamilton. She truly believes that her students can learn immensely from each other if they are given the space and confidence to share their personal experiences.
A Cultural Awakening in New Zealand
Ninitha describes her arrival at the University of Waikato in 2015 and her work with supervisor Professor Juliet Roper as the beginning of her “cultural awakening.”
Never once during the four years of my PhD did, I ever think I shouldn’t speak up. That is the culture I was exposed to in New Zealand and what I take to my class too. I am incredibly lucky with the education experience I had here.
New Zealand’s education system is renowned for its inclusive and supportive environment, which encourages students to express themselves and engage in meaningful conversations. This unique approach not only enhances learning but also builds confidence and cultural awareness.
Co-Creating Knowledge
At wintec, all new teaching staff journey through Wintec’s Tōia Mai framework, learning to incorporate mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) and understanding of Te Tiriti principles in their teaching practice.
The framework focuses on inquiry, understanding that each student learns differently, and each student comes loaded with cultural knowledge that other students might not be familiar with, but should respect.
The aim is to raise equity and enable all learners inclusively, allowing them to share their many cultural influences and deepen the cultural competency of their classmates.
The teacher-centric model is just not practical any longer. It’s not about me as the source of knowledge standing in front of a class and directing them. It’s about me learning as much from them as they learn from me. We’re all learners and we’re co-creating knowledge together.
- Ninitha says.
A Shared Experience
Ninitha starts each of her classes with a weekly whakatauki (proverb) related to the subject the class is learning about.
The idea is to highlight the fact that age-old cultural wisdom and new developments in the field are still connected. It makes the students realize that our ancient wisdom is just so relevant today.
When considering how Māori cultural competencies could be included in her class, Ninitha found that it happened organically. "It was always a shared experience", she says.
There were times when international students recognized a proverb as being similar to one from their own culture and they would teach us theirs. Or I might share a proverb from my own part of the world.
She incorporates a new te reo word or phrase each day, with international students easily relating it to words they would use in their own languages.
There are many similarities in language that we aren’t always aware of. And there are the funny moments, when they say ‘oh, that’s what we call it too.
There is a relaxed atmosphere in Ninitha’s classes, which can be unfamiliar territory for many international students used to a more hierarchical structure in education. She often initiates free-flowing discussions about a range of topics, and her students quickly understand they are in a safe space to express their views.
We are raising cultural awareness through student-led conversation in class. We’re understanding the differences and commonalities between our different cultures. Even simple conversations about how you cook rice. You will get a million different ways to cook rice!
Grow your confidence, through New Zealand’s unique learning style.
New Zealand offers a unique and enriching educational experience that goes beyond traditional learning. It is dedicated to fostering an inclusive, culturally aware, and student-focused educational system ensures that students flourish both in their studies and personal growth. By choosing New Zealand, you can expect to gain not only a world-class education but also the confidence and skills needed to succeed in a globalized world.
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