A Case Study of University Students' Perceptions of Global Citizenship and the Importance of Their Language

• In Event: 49.089 - Poster Session 9
  In Poster Session: 49.089-7 - Teachers' and Students' Perceptions in Global Classrooms

Abstract

We investigate “university students’ perceptions of global citizenship and its importance of language” to inform educators facilitating intercultural citizenship (e.g., Byram, 2008). Eighty-one students responded to a survey with qualitative and quantitative questions on global citizenship. A thematic analysis of respondents’ definitions of "global citizen" yielded six themes (living/travel excursions, cultural awareness, equality, right of abode, inclusive philosophy, and multidimensional constructs). 82% indicated that they believed that all people are global citizens and ranked “learn to respect local cultural variations” and “learn about other cultures” highest. Students’ definitions often indicated a rather “passive” conceptualization of global citizenship. Educators building intercultural competence through an understanding of the multi-dimensionality of the construct will assist our students’ development of global citizenship.

Authors

• Manuela Maria Wagner, University of Connecticut

• Mary E. Yakimowski, Samford University

• Irina Golubeva, University of Pannonia, Hungary