Celebrating interculturality in the classroom modelling emphatic and open minds

​Nowadays, scholastic programs embrace a heterogeneous variety of people with diverse socio-cultural backgrounds. For teachers, it is an essential issue to help students adapt to a new cultural background and also to shape critical and open minds respecting and celebrating diversity rather than rejecting it.

The new edition of the course “Intercultural learning and cultural diversity in the classroom​” took place in Palermo from 12/11/2023 to 18/11/2023. The participants came from all across Europe, with Pernilla, Oliver and Tony from KLARA teoretiska gymnasium in Sweden; Nataliya and Larisa from Klaipedos "Santarves" progimnazija in Lithuania; Clara from EOI Santa María de Guía in Spain; and participants coming from two different German schools: Anja from Carl-Burger-Schule and David from St-Anna-Schule Wuppertal.
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At the beginning of the course, the participants recognised the significance of reflecting on the meaning of words. After focusing on the images they associated to the concept of “diversity”, they collectively tried to construct an interpretation of what "intercultural learning" means to them.

​During the week, we examined the relation between culture and education. Participants got involved in some practical activities to be more conscious of how cultures influence education and learning styles. The purpose of the activities was to think about the awareness and sensitivity that teachers need when specific cultural patterns emerge in the classroom.

We also analysed the concept of identity as a first step to go in-depth into diversity. Through a visual task, participants thought about their identities and how these relate to culture.
Next, participants were immersed in a storytelling exercise about stereotypes. Through this activity, we explored the significance of the vicious cycle of stereotypes. After seeing a TED Talk about this issue, participants reflected on how stereotypes can develop prejudices and discrimination, causing a vicious cycle that reinforces stereotypes. 

The last topic of this course was inclusion. Participants were involved in different activities, starting to make simulations to recognise and discuss the challenges of intercultural communication. The exercises can help students doubt common beliefs while thinking about finding relationships between different cultures. The other activities were about the concept of membership and empathy. The challenges offered can be adapted to different topics and classroom activities, letting students understand the importance of every member of the class making helpful contributions and empathising with other classmates’ conditions and diversities. 

The participants' sharing of their different ideas and cultural backgrounds enriched the course, creating a beautiful experience filled with fun, empathy, and sensitivity.

​​Discover more about this course here.