Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Teaching: Theory, Evidence, and Practice • 3 Credits • UMass Global
Course Fee: $165 (to enroll now) + optional UMass Global 3-credit fee: $190 (pay later)
How It Works
- ✅ Course Fee: $165 — enroll now for instant access
- ✅ Optional UMass Global Credit Fee: $190 — feel free to pay later, even after the course
- ✅ Total Cost (if credit selected): $355 for the course and 3 graduate-level credits
- 🕐 Finish anytime — fully self-paced and 100% online
✔ Accepted for salary advancement and license renewal in many states
✔ Quiz-based format — no busywork or portfolio
✔ University transcript issued by UMass Global (regionally accredited)
✔ Transcript will show a final letter grade (not Pass/Fail) — perfect for districts that require graded coursework for salary advancement.
Enroll today for just $165
Pay for graduate credits later — only if and when you need them.
Course Description:
Are you ready to teach in ways that truly reach every learner? Through this self-paced, online professional development experience, you’ll gain the knowledge and strategies to make your instruction both culturally and linguistically responsive. You’ll learn how to design lessons that affirm and leverage students’ cultural identities and home languages while applying research-based strategies that foster engagement, equity, and academic success for all learners — including multilingual and ELL students.
Drawing on foundational theory, current research, and best practices from leading scholars in the field, this course helps you move beyond surface-level inclusion toward deep, meaningful responsiveness. You’ll learn how to recognize and interrupt deficit-based mindsets, create linguistically accessible learning environments, and build a classroom culture that celebrates diversity and belonging. Through interactive readings, videos, and real-world case studies, you’ll walk away with concrete tools and frameworks for building a classroom where every student’s background, language, and identity are seen as assets.
This course is open to teachers nationwide. For Hawai‘i DOE educators, this 3-credit course also fulfills SEQ/TESOL requirements.
What You’ll Learn:
- Foundations of Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Teaching (CLRT ): Discover the key frameworks and principles behind culturally and linguistically responsive teaching — and what they look like in everyday classroom practice.
- Language-Affirming Instruction: Design lessons that are linguistically accessible and inclusive of students’ home languages, using strategies that strengthen comprehension, confidence, and participation.
- Responsive Curriculum Design: Adapt your existing lessons and assessments to be culturally relevant, linguistically supportive, and academically rigorous — without sacrificing standards alignment.
- Building Relationships and Classroom Belonging: Develop routines and interactions that affirm identity, build trust, and promote authentic connections between students and teachers.
Why Educators Love This Course:
- Interactive and Engaging Content: Engaging Multimedia Learning: Learn the latest research through mini-lectures, memorable multimedia resources, and real classroom examples — no written assignments!
- Flexible Learning: Complete the course anytime, anywhere, at your own pace.
- Actionable Strategies: Every module is packed with ready-to-use tools, practical frameworks, and sample lesson ideas designed for immediate classroom impact.
Transform Your Classroom Today:
This course bridges theory and practice to help you build a classroom where all learners — especially multilingual and culturally diverse students — can thrive. Whether you’re new to CLRT or looking to deepen your practice, you’ll gain the confidence, tools, and mindset to make every student feel seen, supported, and academically challenged.
By the end, you’ll have the strategies to cultivate a classroom rooted in respect, belonging, and equity — where students’ languages, cultures, and experiences drive meaningful learning.
Enroll Today:
Earn graduate-level professional development credit while transforming your classroom into a space where every learner’s voice matters. Don’t miss this opportunity to strengthen your culturally responsive teaching practice.
Self-Paced, Quiz-Based, and Completely Online
Forget portfolios or lengthy written assignments — this is stress-free professional learning designed with YOU in mind. With no start dates and no due dates, you can begin and finish the course whenever it’s convenient. You don’t need to be working with students to complete it, and there are no scheduled meetings. The course is 100% self-paced and self-guided — so you can work whenever and wherever it fits your life.
🌎 This course is offered nationwide!
Open to educators, counselors, social workers, school staff, and professionals from all fields who need graduate-level university credits for salary advancement, license renewal, professional learning, or continuing education.
Special Information for Hawai‘i DOE Educators:
- ✔ This course provides 3 graduate-level university credits, which can be used in place of Learnsoft-issued (formerly PDE3) credits for HIDOE salary step movement and reclassification.
- ✔ Credits are issued by UMass Global or CSU Pueblo (depending on the course), and are accepted by HIDOE.
- ✔ No Learnsoft submission required — coursework is reviewed by our instructors.
✶ Important for HIDOE educators: Before starting, simply obtain verbal approval from your principal. When you’re ready to apply your credits, submit the signed
200-005 Form along with your transcript to the HIDOE Reclassification Unit.
💡 You may also qualify for reimbursement via the
HawaiiUSA Professional Support Stipend, available annually beginning each January.
🔗 For official HIDOE reclassification policy and university credit usage, see the HIDOE Guidelines for Reclassification.
Additional Information for Hawai‘i DOE Participants Only:
This Sheltered Instruction course also offers the opportunity to earn 3 university credits in TESOL-related foundational EL knowledge. These credits are officially recorded on your transcript from UMass Global, a regionally accredited university.
It fulfills HIDOE Sheltered Instruction qualification requirements under: Option #1, Option #7, and Option #8.
📄 View the official form:
HIDOE Sheltered Instruction Qualification Form
✉️ Questions about the HIDOE's Sheltered Instruction requirements? Reach out to the EQS, OTM at
[email protected] or call (808) 441-8499.
To enroll in this course:
Start by completing the $165 registration using the banner link at the top of this page. That will create your For Teachers By Teachers (FTBT) account and give you immediate access to the online classroom. You can begin anytime and work at your own pace.
✶ Want 3 Graduate-Level University Credits through UMass Global?
Inside the classroom, you’ll find simple step-by-step instructions for UMass Global’s separate $190 credit registration process. Everything you need — including the direct link, course code, and payment instructions — will be available after you enroll. You're welcome to wait until you've completed the course to make this payment.
University credit issued by UMass Global – a regionally accredited university partner.
Your Course Instructor
For Teachers By Teachers is a highly dedicated team of licensed educators with professional certifications across grades PK–12. Our areas of expertise include Special Education, Childhood Education, Art Education, and Reading Specialist certifications.
Collectively, our course authors and instructors bring more than 20 years of experience in the field of education. We are passionate about empowering teachers and have contributed meaningfully to school communities in Hawai‘i, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Colorado, Vermont, and Ohio.
Our mission is to support your professional growth with flexible, high-quality online courses designed by teachers—for teachers. If you have any questions or need support, don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected]. We’re here to help!