Before starting module II, please take the time to reflect on your own awareness of how interculturally competent your are. A similar questionnaire is available for you to use with your students in the resource page for Module II.

Instructions

The following reflection questions can be used in continuing to develop your intercultural competence as a teacher. The questions focus on the following areas:

Attitudes include respect, openness and curiosity. Openness and curiosity imply a willingness to risk and to move beyond one’s comfort zone. In communicating respect to others, it is important to demonstrate that others are valued. These attitudes are the foundation upon which you will further develop the skills and knowledge needed for intercultural competence.
Knowledge comprise cultural self-awareness (meaning the way your culture has influenced your identity and worldview), culture-specific knowledge, sociolinguistic awareness, and, most importantly, understanding other worldviews.
Skills such as observation, listening, evaluating, analysing, interpreting and relating are key in developing effective intercultural communication.
Internal outcomes concern adaptability and flexibility.
External outcomes focus on communication and behaviour.

As you answer the questionnaire, make a note of items you wish to discuss further. Make sure you keep your results for future reflection. Unfortunately, intercultural competence does just happen by itself; rather, it must be intentionally addressed throughout your academic and professional careers. Intercultural competence is a life-long learning process. This means that there is no definite point at which you will be interculturally competent. Critical reflection is a powerful tool in this process; one way to shift your own attitudes is by challenging the assumptions you make.