Intercultural Communication in the classroom

Kontext / Contexte

This seminar explores the fundamentals of intercultural communication.
We will look at the concepts of 'culture' and 'communication' and how they affect intercultural encounters in the workplace and in private life.
How we perceive the world and the people around us is strongly influenced by our cultural background, educational development and socialisation. Today, due to digitalisation, migration and globalisation, we experience numerous encounters with people from different cultures, where we are confronted with different languages, communication styles, codes and meanings. Stereotypes, prejudices and racial discrimination are part of these complex communicative processes and influence our interpersonal behaviour.
In addition to theoretical input, the training focuses on the acquisition of practical skills through role-play simulations, mutual exchange of experiences and proactive exercises in autonomous group work in order to develop flexibility and adaptability in intercultural communication situations.
Questions that might arise in this context include the following
- How can we understand 'the others' who are different from us? Who are 'we' and who are 'they'?
- What are the ongoing processes and mechanisms in intercultural settings?
- How can we act and react with mutual respect in an area characterised by uncertainty, communication barriers and misunderstandings?
- How can we implement applicable tools and interventions in the classroom to promote a culturally and linguistically sensitive learning and working environment?

Zielsetzung / Objectifs

Knowledge:
Participants understand:
- fundamental principles of culture and communication
- effective processes and challenges in intercultural encounters, encompassing language barriers, misunderstandings, biases, prejudices, and stereotypes
- strategies and coping mechanisms for navigating conflicts and tensions in intercultural contexts, whether in the classroom or while engaging with parents and colleagues.

Skills:
Participants will be able to
- recognise how culture and communication shape thoughts, emotions, and actions
- identify mechanisms underlying bias, prejudice, and stereotyping
- act and react with awareness and sensitivity to the specificities of intercultural settings
- apply supportive interventions and coping strategies in the classroom and when interacting with parents and colleagues from different cultural backgrounds.

Attitudes
Participants will:
- cultivate an open-minded approach towards diverse cultural perspectives
- learn to understand different cultural norms and practices
- self-reflect regarding personal biases and cultural assumptions.

Inhalt / Contenu

LECTURE 1: CULTURE & COMMUNICATION
- Definition and clarification of the concept of culture & communication
- Categories of cultural values and norms as essential determinants of intercultural communication
- Characteristics of intercultural encounters
- Developing strategies for intercultural interactions in the classroom and other areas of daily life

LECTURE 2: STEREOTYPES & PREJUDICES
- Characteristics and categories of stereotypes and prejudices
- Awareness and impact of prejudice
- Effects of stigma and discrimination
- Dealing with prejudices and stereotypes in intercultural contexts in the classroom and in other areas of daily life

LECTURE 3: RACISM
- Context and terminology of race and racism
- Forms of racism
- Discussion, analysis and reflection on everyday racism
- Anti-racist strategies in the classroom and other settings

Arbeitsformen / Approche méthodologique

- Online lecture with theoretical input, practical case scenarios and examples
- Autonomous group work for sharing experiences, reflection and self-evaluation
- Elaboration of strategies and interventions in the classroom in plenary arrangement

Referent, Referentin / Formateur, formatrice

Sulamith Bade, M.A., Intercultural Communication Trainer

Remarques / Anmerkung

The MS Teams training requires a Microsoft Teams connection, a microphone and a camera to attend the course (PC or laptop, no iPad or smartphone). You will be added to your group in Teams one working day before the first session. If possible, please connect to MS Teams 5 minutes before the webinar starts.