TEACHING AND LEARNING FOR INTERCULTURAL UNDERSTANDING
One Day Institute in Partnership with ECIS
Online via Zoom: 18 January 2022
Introduction
It is a challenging yet exciting time to be an educator. Our world, communities and schools are increasingly multicultural, multilingual and multiracial, and respect and appreciation for difference and diversity are needed more than ever. Intercultural understanding is a vital disposition and competence to develop in ourselves, in each other and in the children we teach, and we all have a critical role to play in nurturing its development.
The coronavirus pandemic has reminded us that we are all part of a common humanity and that we have a shared responsibility to take care of ourselves, each other and our planet we call home. We have been given pause to consider what is most important in life and have rediscovered the need for connection and community, love and compassion. Human beings have an enormous capacity to counteract xenophobia and racism. Ongoing events worldwide remind us of the need to teach for compassionate, respectful, equitable and inclusive human relationships.
Intercultural understanding does not occur naturally and needs to be cultivated with intentionality. Bridging theory and practice, and applying research in the field of intercultural competence, we will explore ways to integrate teaching and learning for intercultural understanding in our learning communities. You will be introduced to a Framework for Developing Intercultural Understanding (Rader, 2016) and ways to integrate children’s literature as a catalyst for classroom discussions and inquiry. We will engage our hearts and minds, and work together towards creating a more compassionate, peaceful and inclusive world.
Participants will actively engage in personal and collaborative learning and reflection through a range of activities. We will explore new strategies, activities and resources that nurture and support the development of intercultural understanding for all members of the learning community.
Purpose of the Institute
The purpose of the Institute is to engage in personal and collaborative learning to further develop intercultural understanding in ourselves, each other and the children we teach. It serves as a foundational workshop that builds on the knowledge, commitment and intention of participants to engage in this work to further their learning and enhance their practice.
This workshop is for educators at all levels worldwide. This includes classroom and specialist teachers, teaching assistants, administrators, counselors, librarians and media specialists, curriculum coordinators, IT facilitators, students in teacher training programmes and teacher educators.
Essential Questions
● What is intercultural understanding and why is it imperative?
● How can we nurture and develop intercultural understanding in ourselves, each other and children?
● How can the Framework for Developing Intercultural Understanding (Rader, 2016) be integrated into teaching and learning?
● How does intercultural understanding promote diversity, equity, inclusion, social justice, and antiracist education?
● How does intercultural understanding foster character and wellbeing?
Learning Outcomes
Our best hopes for the workshop are that participants will:
● Develop a greater knowledge of intercultural understanding as a disposition, competence and lifelong process
● Grow in self-awareness as they reflect on and explore their own cultures, languages, identities, beliefs, values, attitudes and behaviours
● Learn about ways to integrate the Framework for Developing Intercultural Understanding (Rader, 2016) and suggested literature in teaching and learning
● Acquire new strategies, activities and resources that nurture and support the development of intercultural understanding
● Explore ways intercultural understanding promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, social justice, and antiracist education
● Identify ways intercultural understanding fosters character and wellbeing
● Share their experiences, observations and knowledge to further the learning and understanding of the group
Our workshop is:
● An active engagement in personal and collaborative learning to deepen understanding and enhance your practice
● An introduction to the Framework for Developing Intercultural Understanding (Rader, 2016) as a tool for guiding inclusive practice
● An exploration of compelling children’s literature to promote intercultural learning and understanding, and inclusive teaching practices
Testimonials
“I appreciated hearing the stories and finding out about other good resources, however, l also liked learning about the Framework. The concept that has resonated with me is that this work has to be intentional – as a leader. I have to provide support and training to our staff.”
Belinda Yates, Executive Head, International School of Flanders (ISF Waterloo)
“It was an inspiring and most fruitful day – the presenters were knowledgeable, engaging and motivating. The discussion in breakout groups resulted in the sharing of great ideas and making great contacts.”
Chris Charleson, Director General of Schools, SEK Education Group, Madrid
“It was great to hear examples, to have moments of reflection, discussions, great sessions! The day was filled with variety and moments of deep thought; for me it was a great balance.”
Juliette van Eerdewijk, Head of School, RAK Academy, International Primary School Khuzam
Who we are:
Debra Rader, Sarah Kupke and Kam Chohan are three passionate educators who believe deeply in the importance of developing intercultural understanding for a better world. We are fully committed to promoting an appreciation and respect for difference and diversity, and working with children and adults to create inclusive learning communities where everyone is valued, affirmed and thrives. We have been classroom teachers and administrators, and have worked in national and international schools.
Debra is an international educator, author and consultant who has worked in independent, public and international schools as a primary, middle school and special education teacher, principal and educational consultant in the US, England and Italy, where she has lived since 2005. She is the author of Teaching and Learning for Intercultural Understanding: Engaging Young Hearts and Minds (Routledge, 2018) and New Kid in School: Using Literature to Help Children in Transition (Teachers College Press, 2003.)
Sarah is the Head of Professional Learning at ECIS. In international school headship positions, she led teams who developed innovative, dual language and interlingual approaches to learning and language development. She has worked in the UK and Germany as a primary, secondary and special education teacher, and she taught undergraduate education in London. In recent years she has worked closely with Debra Rader, co-presenting at several Intercultural Understanding Institutes. Sarah is driven by the conviction that the life-long journey of engaging with intercultural understanding is vital to our appreciation of one another.
Kam is the Executive Director for ECIS. She is a passionate educator and enjoyed lecturing in mathematics and business. She holds qualifications and experience in Leadership and Professional Development. As an example of her commitment to student learning, Kam worked with the UK Government’s Behaviour Insights Team to apply the Nudge Theory to improve student outcomes on a national level. As Chief Operating Officer for ECIS, Kam demonstrated a high aptitude for financial reporting, forecasting, analytical ability, scenario analysis, and financial implications of business and educational models. Kam is committed to social justice and equity through diversity, inclusion, and intercultural understanding in international education.
We all share a common vision for education now and for the future, and a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice in schools. We are experienced in working with multilingual, multicultural and multiracial children and families. We enjoy a warm personal and professional relationship, and a sharing of innovative and creative ideas.
We look forward to connecting with like-minded and like-hearted colleagues to work towards creating a more compassionate, peaceful and inclusive world, where all voices are expressed and heard.
INFORMATION
It is our intention to create as intimate and personal an experience as possible in an online context. Participants will engage in whole group and breakout group sessions. Spaces are therefore limited to 15 participants.
The workshop begins at 09:00 and ends at 17:00 (London time).
See the registration link for information on tickets.
We look forward to having you join us!
