What should instructors do to support students with different cultural backgrounds in PE?

• A. Include the student's first language in cues and assignments
• B. Rely solely on English
• C. Remove language supports
• D. Use only visual demonstrations

Answer: (A)

Providing language-access support in PE helps students understand how to perform movements safely, follow rules, and participate with confidence. When instructors include a student’s first language in cues and assignments, learners can grasp what to do, why it’s done that way, and how to reflect on their progress. This reduces confusion, boosts participation, and communicates respect for diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, which strengthens belonging and engagement in class.

In practice, this might mean offering brief explanations in the student’s home language, providing bilingual cue cards for skills and safety signals, translating written tasks, or allowing responses in the student’s preferred language. Visual demonstrations and clear demonstrations are valuable, but language supports ensure meaning is accessible even as students are developing English proficiency. Relying only on English or removing language supports excludes students and can undermine safety and learning.