International Journal of Social Science Research (IJSSR)

Non-Directive Teaching: Integrating Culture and Context in the 21st Century Classroom

Non-directive teaching, a learner-centric pedagogy, prioritizes cultural and contextual integration to enhance motivation and engagement in diverse 21st-century classrooms. This paper explores its principles, benefits, and challenges, emphasizing motivational reciprocity, scaffolding, and culturally responsive practices. Through qualitative analysis of a comprehensive educational document, the study highlights how non-directive teaching fosters multidimensional interests and research-oriented learning. Findings underscore the importance of mutual trust, empathy, and cultural sensitivity, while identifying systemic barriers such as bureaucratic constraints. Recommendations include enhanced teacher training and curriculum reform to meet modern educational demands. Keywords: Non-directive teaching, learner-centered pedagogy, cultural integration, motivation, scaffolding, communicative teaching, 21st-century classroom.