Cultural differences

Going abroad does not automatically mean that students learn from the cultural differences. It is important to prepare them before going abroad, to be aware of what to look for and how to deal with that.

In the SPriTE project we have developed an online course that focuses on the cultural, educational, and pedagogical differences between countries. The course is common for all the student teachers that go abroad. They can follow the course online and discuss with fellow students in other countries. The main elements of the course are:

• Phase 1 (before placement abroad):
  • Knowledge of different cultural dimensions
  • Awareness of main barriers of intercultural communication
  • Knowledge of main components of intercultural communication in school settings
• Phase 2 (during placement abroad
  • Introduction in the educational and cultural background of the countries that will be visited
  • Ability to reflect on different critical situations in host contry
• Phase 3 (after placement abroad):
  • Ability to compare/contrast expectations and reality of TPA (teacher placement abroad)
  • Skills to reflect on learning process in international situation