What Preservice Teachers Say They Learn About Intercultural Competence Through International Student Teaching

• In Event: Poster Session 6
  In Poster Session: Cultural (Mis)Understanding

Abstract

This ethnographic methods study examines what pre-service teachers (PSTs) say they learn about intercultural competence through a month-long international student teaching (IST) program in Mexico City, Mexico. The study advances a new conceptualization of intercultural competence that begins with a foundation of “cultural noticing” and moves into action through “cultural responding”. Three conclusions are offered. First, IST programs may help to develop cultural noticing ability. Second, participation in a “context-specific” teacher education program before the IST experience seems to improve a PST’s cultural noticing and cultural responding capacities. And third, even when circumstances seem very favorable, some PSTs seem to miss opportunities for engaging in cultural noticing and cultural responding. Implications for theory, research, and practice are discussed.

Author

• Heather B. Cunningham, University of Pittsburgh