Study Abroad or Teaching Abroad? Fostering Intercultural Development in Preservice Teachers

• In Event: 49.088 - Roundtable Session 17
  In Roundtable Session: 49.088-13 - Preservice Teacher Development in International Contexts

Abstract

Preparing teachers to work effectively with culturally and linguistically diverse populations requires the development of intercultural competencies. This study investigates the intercultural development of preservice teachers who participate in traditional semester-long study abroad programs, as well as preservice teachers engaged in a 3-week student teaching abroad experience. The intercultural gains for both groups were similarly modest, indicating a need for multiple significant cross-cultural experiences in teacher education programs. Questionnaire data from the student teaching abroad group offers perspectives on the challenges posed by cultural differences, particularly in the realms of classroom management and pedagogy. Implications for designing meaningful cross-cultural experiences, both domestic and international, as a means of fostering intercultural development in preservice teachers are discussed.

Author

• Allison J Spenader, College of St. Benedict and St. John's University