Introduction

Campbell (2004, 62) states that cultural differences tend to be revealed in language, and misunderstandings between people from different cultures tend to arise from their use of language to communicate with each other. Here, I will ask how linguistic and cultural diversity affects communication between students.

This study will investigate and analyse the causes or situations in which conflicts or misunderstandings can happen between students that are related to different cultures and languages.

It will also will outline problems experienced in multicultural learning environments and show factors that inhibit intercultural communication. In addition, this research will highlight current psychological and cultural issues which are relevant to contemporary life in tertiary institutions.

TITLE:
Challenges of cultural diversity in the classroom at Durban University of Technology: ML Sultan Campus
Research Problem
This makes us multicultural. Du Toit (2004) explains that multiculturalism is more than the expression of cultural variety, it also concerns communication. He adds that for multiculturalism to ‘succeed’ and in order to stimulate peaceful coexistence, meaningful communication is a requisite. Cultural differences tend to be revealed in language, and misunderstandings between people from different cultures tend to arise from their use of language to communicate with each other.

Higher education was the privilege of the whites with separate universities for Indians and Coloureds and three institutions being designated for Africans, which were: University of Fort Hare, University of the North and University of Zululand. After 1994, institutions of higher learning rapidly became a melting pots of diverse cultures and languages as universities continue to attract a rich mix of racially and culturally diverse