Strategies for Inclusive and Intercultural Learning Environments

Course overview

This immersive 5-day course is designed to equip educators with the knowledge, tools, and approaches necessary to create inclusive and intercultural learning environments that celebrate cultural diversity. Participants will develop their cultural awareness and intercultural competencies, enabling them to confront stereotypes, personal prejudices, and effectively cater to multicultural and ethnically diverse groups of students.

The course will delve into the concepts of identity and culture, exploring how they affect the learning process and the challenges that arise in a changing and globalized society. Participants will engage in practical activities and hands-on experiences to improve their cultural awareness and confront personal prejudices, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for different perspectives.

Emphasis will be placed on storytelling and simulation exercises as concrete ways to fight stereotypes and develop intercultural abilities. Participants will practice designing and delivering these exercises, enabling them to create engaging and inclusive learning experiences that promote cultural understanding and empathy.

The course will explore the concepts of membership and relationships, highlighting the importance of empathy in shaping human connections and fostering inclusive learning environments. Participants will learn about the role of educators in the integration process of immigrant or foreign children, gaining insights into effective strategies for promoting inclusion, tolerance, and intercultural awareness.

To enhance the learning experience and provide a cultural context, the course will incorporate a guided visit to a local institution or organization actively involved in multiculturalism, integration of refugees and migrants, or intercultural education. This visit will allow participants to observe inclusive practices in action and gain inspiration for implementing intercultural approaches in their educational settings.

Tentative schedule:

Day 1: Setting the stage for intercultural learning

Icebreakers and networking activities
Introduction to the course and participants
Overview of the course methodology and expectations
Exploring the challenges of multicultural and diverse classrooms in a globalized society
Understanding the concepts of identity and culture in the learning process
Group discussions: Sharing experiences and challenges in working in multicultural and/or intercultural schools

Day 2: Cultural awareness and confronting prejudices

Becoming aware of cultural patterns and their impact on lesson planning
Stereotypes and prejudices: Understanding their role in the perception process
Practical activities and hands-on experiences to improve cultural awareness and confront personal prejudices

Day 3: Storytelling and simulation for intercultural competence

Storytelling and simulation exercises as tools for fighting stereotypes and developing intercultural abilities
Hands-on activities: Practicing, designing, and delivering storytelling and simulation exercises
Cultural visit (e.g. museum, heritage site) guided in English to explore local heritage and sustainability practices
Post-visit: Presenting a storytelling concept based on the cultural visit

Day 4: Empathy, Membership, and inclusive relationships

Exploring the concepts of membership and relationships in diverse learning environments
The importance of empathy in shaping human relationships and fostering inclusion
Strategies for promoting inclusion, tolerance, and intercultural awareness among students

Day 5: Non-formal education for intercultural learning

The benefits of using non-formal education methods in multicultural environments
Fostering students’ inclusion, tolerance, and intercultural awareness through non-formal and experiential learning activities
Hands-on activities: Designing and delivering non-formal activities and tools for intercultural learning
Course evaluation and feedback
Certification ceremony

The classes typically run from 9 in the morning to 2 in the afternoon, with the afternoon and evening reserved for self-reflection and individual study. However, the course schedule may be adjusted to accommodate the preferences of the participants and the availability of instructors or external learning locations. Participants will receive the finalized schedule well in advance, allowing ample time for preparation and planning.

Learning outcomes:

The participants will be able to:

Analyze the challenges and opportunities presented by multicultural and diverse classrooms in a globalized society.
Examine the concepts of identity and culture, and their impact on the learning process.
Confront and deconstruct stereotypes and personal prejudices, recognizing their underlying mechanisms and harmful impacts.
Develop strategies to improve their cultural awareness and intercultural competencies.
Implement storytelling and simulation exercises as tools for fighting stereotypes and developing intercultural abilities among students.
Explore the concepts of membership and relationships in diverse learning environments, recognizing the importance of empathy in fostering inclusive connections.
Promote inclusion, tolerance, and intercultural awareness among students through effective integration strategies and non-formal education approaches.
Collaborate with fellow educators to share best practices, strategies, and resources for creating inclusive and intercultural learning environments.
Incorporate cultural elements, inclusive practices, and sustainable dimensions from local heritage and community initiatives into their teaching methodologies.
Develop a comprehensive action plan for embracing cultural diversity in their educational settings, fostering intercultural learning, and celebrating the richness of diverse perspectives.

Course fee:

400 euro per participant (covered entirely by the Erasmus grant)

Course fee includes:

At least 25 hours of course content;
Course materials;
Certificate of participation;
Europass, on request;
Learning / Mobility Agreement;
Visits to local institutions, if available;
Personalized support;
Free high-speed WIFI internet at the POU Čakovec premises;
Refreshments;
Administration costs;
Dissemination materials.

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