Intercultural Competencies in Middle and High School Students: School Culture in One International School

• In Event: Roundtable Session 40
  In Roundtable Session: An Interdisciplinary, Cross-Cultural Exploration of School Culture and Climate Factors

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to examine how the development of intercultural competencies are supported and promoted for students at one Spanish-English Two-Way Immersion (TWI) international community school. Data is drawn from six student focus groups, two focus groups with teachers and 5 individual interviews conducted with key stakeholders at the school. Many students talked about the importance of the school culture as a unifying and powerful aspect of their school experiences. They also pointed to specific school structures that allow them to practice problem solving and perspective taking. Teachers point to the importance of rituals at the school that open up conversations and place the responsibility on students to resolve problems that may arise.

Authors

• Erin Feinauer Whiting, Brigham Young University

• Erika Feinauer, Brigham Young University