Where & When

Location: Online event

Date: 24/06/2020

Time: 10:00-13:00

Delivered by: Rina Fokel de Vries, Birmingham International Academy

To register please use the following link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/105229644700

Abstract

A multicultural teaching and learning environment can be a great resource, offering a diversity of cultural and ethnic backgrounds and bringing different perspectives for teams to benefit from, which stimulates creativity and promotes a wider world view. It can also present challenges, however. This workshop aims to address a problem often arising in the international classroom, with a division arising between different cultural groups (e.g. ‘home’ and ‘international’ students). Part 1 (2 hrs) focusses on intercultural interaction, group dynamics, and intercultural conflict. Examples will be provided of the conflicts and divisions that might arise in intercultural situation due to differences in cultural, educational and linguistic background. The focus will be on developing strategies to bridge these gaps and promote the development of intercultural competence. The session will also address how an online teaching environment can impact on these processes, in both a negative and a positive sense. Part 2 (1 hr) is a follow-up, where participants will discuss situations in their own teaching contexts where intercultural conflict and/or lack of engagement may have occurred or might potentially occur. Participants will explore what might work best in their own context to avoid such conflicts, and arrive at more fruitful intercultural group dynamics.

The workshop can be delivered face-to-face or online.

Outcomes / objectives: The workshop offers the opportunity to develop strategies and tools for avoiding intercultural conflict and division in the international classroom, making intercultural team work more profitable and learner-centred, and contributing to a positive student learning experience by empowering students in an intercultural setting.