Abstract
Purpose - This paper examines the importance of intercultural training for lecturers; describes innovative training to address this, based on a new theoretical framework; and evaluates training and framework.
Background - UK HE is becoming increasing internationally diverse. The UK HEI population is also very multicultural. The proportion of lecturers who come from outside the UK has risen. It is, therefore, important that students develop intercultural awareness. One way of doing this is to work with students. A more sustainable approach focusses training on lecturers who will embed cultural awareness into their practice.
Method - This paper sets out a theoretical framework which underpins training developed for lecturers as part of a Postgraduate Certificate. The paper describes the training and evaluates the effectiveness of this.
Findings and results - Findings show that participants were apprehensive about the training. Afterwards they expressed surprise at the participative approach, but were pleased with outcomes. They enjoyed the exercises and the training appeared to have opened up their outlook. They praised the freedom to share thoughts with others.
Conclusions - Findings show that participants learnt intercultural skills to use in class. This was due to the design. The nature of the training encouraged reflection on cultural diversity and participants attested to the effects this would have on their teaching. These results replicate other studies
Implications - The implications are immediate in the design of intercultural training in different contexts. It has already been used to design innovative training for students and managers. In both cases the same far-reaching results were achieved.
Background - UK HE is becoming increasing internationally diverse. The UK HEI population is also very multicultural. The proportion of lecturers who come from outside the UK has risen. It is, therefore, important that students develop intercultural awareness. One way of doing this is to work with students. A more sustainable approach focusses training on lecturers who will embed cultural awareness into their practice.
Method - This paper sets out a theoretical framework which underpins training developed for lecturers as part of a Postgraduate Certificate. The paper describes the training and evaluates the effectiveness of this.
Findings and results - Findings show that participants were apprehensive about the training. Afterwards they expressed surprise at the participative approach, but were pleased with outcomes. They enjoyed the exercises and the training appeared to have opened up their outlook. They praised the freedom to share thoughts with others.
Conclusions - Findings show that participants learnt intercultural skills to use in class. This was due to the design. The nature of the training encouraged reflection on cultural diversity and participants attested to the effects this would have on their teaching. These results replicate other studies
Implications - The implications are immediate in the design of intercultural training in different contexts. It has already been used to design innovative training for students and managers. In both cases the same far-reaching results were achieved.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Managerial and entrepreneurial developments in the Mediterranean area |
| Editors | Demetris Vrontis, Yaakov Weber, Rudi Kaufmann, Shlomo Tarba |
| Place of Publication | Cyprus |
| Pages | 804-815 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Publication status | Published - 2009 |
| Event | 2nd Annual EuroMed Conference of the EuroMed Academy of Business - Salerno, Italy Duration: 26 Oct 2009 → 28 Oct 2009 |
Conference
| Conference | 2nd Annual EuroMed Conference of the EuroMed Academy of Business |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | Italy |
| City | Salerno |
| Period | 26/10/09 → 28/10/09 |
Bibliographical note
Copyright ©The materials published in this Readings Book may be reproduced for instructional and non-commercial use. Any use for commercial purposes must have the prior approval of the Executive Board of the EuroMed Research Business Institute (EMRBI).
All full papers and abstracts submitted to the EMRBI Conference are subject to a peer reviewing process, using subject specialists selected because of their expert knowledge in the specific areas.
Keywords
- intercultural
- diversity
- lecturers
- higher education
- learning