Preservice Teachers’ Attitudes About Diversity as a Result of a Semester Study Abroad Program

• In Event: Identity and Teachers: Teacher Sense-Making in Context

Abstract

In recent decades our world has become more connected and classrooms more diverse. Many teachers however are not prepared to teach in the 21st century and specifically not prepared to effectively teach diverse students (Gay, 2002). As such, one of the most important tasks currently facing teacher education programs is appropriately preparing pre-service teachers for the 21st century. It is critical that teachers have the knowledge, attitudes and skills, or what Banks (1999) refers to as cross-cultural competencies, needed to function in culturally diverse settings as well as the ability to integrate them into practice. This study examines how views of diversity changed for five male pre-service teachers as they engage in a semester-long study abroad experience in Brussels, Belgium.

Author

• Sandra Mammano Linder, Clemson University