Impact of International Student Teaching Experiences on Preservice Teachers' Cultural Competency

• In Event: Civic Engagement, Civic Challenge, and Cultural Competency in International Educational Environments

Abstract

Preparing teachers and students for a global world are important drivers in school reform. Incorporating international experiences for pre-service teachers is one strategy used by teacher preparation programs to address the needs for preparing globally competent teachers. This study explores the impact of an international student teaching experience on pre-service teachers. Using a cultural competencies frame, the growth of pre-service teachers is examined at multiple junctures during their semester-long student teaching placement that included five weeks of student teaching in China. Changes in cultural competency are explored quantitatively using the Cross Cultural Adaptability Index (CCAI) and qualitatively using a variety of student reflections, blogs and artifacts. Implications for changes in teacher education that focus on cultural competence will be addressed.

Authors

• M. Jayne Fleener, North Carolina State University

• Ivonne Chirino-Klevans, North Carolina State University