The Importance of Intercultural Understanding by Vishaal Verma

Introduction

vishaal_verma — 2017-01-03 09:29:08 UTC

Intercultural Understanding is basically the understanding of different cultures. Because there are so many cultures that are spreading and expanding all over the world, it is important to understand and respect them. This is crucial to teachers as there will not always be students with the same race, religion or culture. 'Racial, ethnic, cultural, and language diversity is increasing in countries across the world due to global mobility of immigration' (Julie Dyer, Catherine Hartung & Heather Wallace, EEG402 Teaching In A Global World, Deakin University, PowerPoint slides, December 2016).
This topic was chosen because, personally growing up in a country like Australia with an ethnic background, it was important to understand my own culture along with being and calling myself an Australian. Australia, along with the world, is becoming more and more diverse, it is important to understand other cultures and most importantly respect other people for their culture and beliefs. Statistics show that Australia is home to the worlds oldest continuous cultures. 1 in 4 people are born overseas and 1 in 2 have an overseas-born parent. Added to this, almost 20% of Australians speak a language other than English at home (Australian Human Rights Commission, 2014, p. 1)

Where is Intercultural Understanding relevant?

vishaal_verma — 2017-01-03 09:33:01 UTC

Anywhere and everywhere, because 'people who belong to other cultures have different beliefs, values and behaviours from ourselves, interculturality also involves recognising that there can be multiple perspectives on, and interpretations of, any given situation (Barrett 2008, p. 3). This can be at any given time, because the location may be same but the culture could very much be different. Then of course being in a different location will automatically make us aware of a different culture.

It is important to understand other people's culture because it could be easy to offend unintentionally!

Don't Assume you think you know!!

vishaal_verma — 2017-01-03 09:40:57 UTC

There are many things that mean something different in other countries, cultures and societies. Some may be surprising, but still, let's not be ignorant!

Why is Intercultural Understanding Important?

vishaal_verma — 2017-01-03 11:29:49 UTC

It is important to understand and respect other cultures because they are expanding all over the world more rapidly than ever. This is where the term '‘interculturality’ is used to refer to the capacity to experience cultural otherness' (Barrett 2008, p. 1). It 'involves understanding other people’s perspectives, and being able to project oneself imaginatively into the beliefs, values, thoughts and feelings of people from other cultures' (Barrett 2008, p. 3).
As teachers, with students from different cultures it is important to educate yourselves when trying to understand other cultures, but also be empathetic. 'Empathising with people from other cultures is not easy, because they have different beliefs, different values and different behaviours from ourselves' (Barrett 2008, p. 3). This means to move away from our own understanding of culture and be respectful enough to accept and adopt the other person's ways because that is what is 'natural' to them, this is what success in understanding other people's cultures depends on (Barrett 2008, p. 3).

REFERENCES

vishaal_verma — 2017-01-03 14:06:14 UTC

10 Surprising Ways To Offend People In Other Countries 2012, YouTube, Alltime10s, 6 June, retrieved 3 January 2017, <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTE0G9amZNk>.

Australian Human Rights Commission 2014, Face the Facts: Cultural Diversity, Australian Human Rights Commission, Sydney, NSW, pp. 1 - 6, retrieved 3 January 2017
<https://www.humanrights.gov.au/sites/default/files/FTFCulturalDiversity.pdf>.

Barrett, M 2008, Intercultural Competences: Some Reflections based on the Autobiography of Intercultural Encounters, Department of Psychology, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK, pp. 1 - 9.

Berman, G & Paradies, Y 2008, Racism, disadvantage and multiculturalism: towards effective anti-racist praxis, Ethnic and Racial Studies, pp. 1 - 19, retrieved 9 January 2017, <https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Yin_Paradies/publication/228874303_Racism_disadvantage_and_multiculturalism_Towards_effective_anti-racist_praxis/links/02e7e521d36aeac855000000.pdf> .

Bridging the cultural gap in the classroom | Manuel Hernandez Carmona | TEDxAmoskeagMillyard 2015, YouTube, TEDx talks, 11 March, retrieved 4 January 2017,
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=12&v=Br22BFA7bAg>.

Canada Education 2014, Teaching Kinetic Diversity - Multicultural Canadian Classrooms in the 21st century, retrieved 3 January 2017, <http://www.cea-ace.ca/education-canada/article/teaching-kinetic-diversity>.

Hendricks, J 2014, Can teachers adopt multicultural teaching strategies in PDHPE, Experiences in Secondary Schools, Wordpress, retrieved 4 January 2017, <https://jhendricksedu.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/multiculturalism-2012-wordle.png>.

Intercultural communication and understanding is important 2012, YouTube, Michael Voitz, 8 January, retrieved 3 January 2017, <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmoYmcZCoiw>.

Is Australia racist? 2013, YouTube, SunriseOn7, 20 March, retrieved 4 January 2017, <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_a2--73kiI>.

Joint Standing Committee on Migration 2013, 'The anti-racism framework and multiculturalism', Inquiry into Migration andMulticulturalism in Australia, The Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra, pp. 23 - 54, retrieved 9 January 2017 <http://www.aph.gov.au/parliamentary_business/committees/house_of_representatives_committees?url=mig/multiculturalism/report.htm>.

Language Kids World 2016, Houston, TX, retrieved 4 January 2017, <https://www.languagekids.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/hands-with-different-shades-over-globe-small.jpg>.

Making Multicultural Australia Project Team n.d., What is Racism?, Making Multicultural Australia, pp. 1-2, retrieved 3 January 2017,
<http://www.multiculturalaustralia.edu.au/doc/mmateam_8.pdf>.

Marinic, B n.d., Vector - Multiculturalism word cloud concept, Multiculturalism Stock Vectors, Clipart and Illustrations , 123RF, retrieved 4 January 2017 <http://www.123rf.com/clipart-vector/multiculturalism.html?mediapopup=44625861>.

My Country's Not That Racist: Australia 2015, YouTube, AJ+, 23 January, retrieved 4 January 2017, <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9-f5tbAhJg>.

Racism No Way 2015, Teaching resources, Department of Education, NSW, Retrieved 9 January 2017, <http://www.racismnoway.com.au/teaching-resources/anti-racism-activities/lesson_ideas/20020911_50.html>.

Secondary Education Resources 2016, Lesson 6 - Discrimination, Equality and Human Rights Commission, retrieved 4 January 2017, <https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/secondary-education-resources/lesson-plan-ideas/lesson-6-discrimination>.

Teacher Behaviors 2016, Strategies for Teaching Culturally Diverse Students, Teacher Vision, retrieved 4 January 2017, <https://www.teachervision.com/teaching-strategies/strategies-teaching-culturally-diverse-students>.

Connecting with students from culturally different backgrounds

vishaal_verma — 2017-01-03 15:04:34 UTC

Manuel Hernandez Carmona speaks about building bridges when it comes to having students with culturally different backgrounds in his classrooms

vishaal_verma — 2017-01-04 04:23:31 UTC

vishaal_verma — 2017-01-04 04:24:49 UTC

vishaal_verma — 2017-01-04 04:27:12 UTC

vishaal_verma — 2017-01-04 04:34:15 UTC

TEACHING STRATEGY #1 - Accommodate and Appreciate the differences and similarities among the student’s cultures

vishaal_verma — 2017-01-08 06:16:34 UTC

The reason for choosing this strategy is because having a classroom environment where everyone is appreciated creates a better learning space for the students.

'Effective teachers of culturally diverse students acknowledge both individual and cultural differences enthusiastically and identify these differences in a positive manner. This positive identification creates a basis for the development of effective communication and instructional strategies'. (Teacher Behaviors 2016)

Having students feel comfortable in the classroom can mean simply acknowledging their cultural background by referring to little parts or even asking and having conversations. 'Interviews with African-American high school students who presented behavior challenges for staff revealed that they wanted their teachers to discover what their lives were like outside of school' (Teacher Behaviors 2016). By showing interest, not just to the misbehaving students, but to all and especially those who feel out of place due to their culture, can create a positive learning environment. If a teacher shows respect, empathy and understanding to all students regardless of their race, religion or colour, students will also learn to show empathy, leading to respecting others and not being ignorant to those other students who are different.

Teaching and educating students about understanding other cultures is not just to accept them but to appreciate and embrace them. Many white Australians have the idea of Muslims being part of any terrorist attack, Chinese people coming and taking over the country, problems with letting the 'boat people' in and issues with having immigrants in general coming and taking our jobs. People will always judge other people, it's what makes us human, but if we learn ourselves then educate the children and encourage them to keep learning about other cultures and showing respect, then that is the only way to have western countries like Australia and America accept, appreciate and eventually accommodate other cultures.

Developing Empathy

vishaal_verma — 2017-01-08 10:21:39 UTC

This lesson has the goal to understand others and showing empathy.

Aim of this Strategy

vishaal_verma — 2017-01-08 10:35:29 UTC

- Get students to understand and appreciate other cultures

- Get students to feel and show empathy and understanding towards other students with different cultural backgrounds

- students feeling safe and comfortable withing the learning space

I'm not Racist...BUT!

vishaal_verma — 2017-01-08 10:56:13 UTC

This video shows in a humorous way, that it is easy to say you are not racist, but still say racist things!

- -

vishaal_verma — 2017-01-08 11:11:51 UTC

TEACHING STRATEGY #2 Addressing Racism

vishaal_verma — 2017-01-08 11:35:52 UTC

Sometimes it is difficult to understand that what we say are racist or offensive, and this is basically due to the fact that we have been unintentionally taught that way or have seen it happen by someone else. ' Racism can be individual or institutional, overt or implied' (Making Multicultural Australia Project Team n.d.). If students don't learn about racism and its effects then they will not understand how powerful it is when offending someone and how hurtful it can be. In 2014, a poll on On Sunrise News the question was asked, if Australia is a racist country? the poll showed that 66% said Yes and 34% said no (Is Australia racist? 2013). Even if people are not racist themselves, More than half still agreed that Racism occurs in Australia.

Many racial attitudes are towards people of Islam, especially in todays time with ISIS and terrorist attacks happening around the world. But although that is the major topic currently, ‘the Cronulla beach riots in 2005 and attacks on Indian students in 2009 and 2010 have damaged public confidence in the capacity of multicultural policy to maintain social cohesion’ (Joint Standing Committee on Migration 2013, p. 23). Young people must learn about these past events and learn about the causes so that these events can be prevented in the future. ‘At the simplest level, attempts to combat racism are ultimately designed to prevent or redress the disadvantage caused by such experiences and to ensure equal access to and ability to participate in social, cultural, economic and political life’ (Berman & Paradies 2008, p. 8). The earlier students are educated with knowledge to what racism is, then the more they will know when addressing it in the public eye and will be less ignorant to those people who are different to them.

Aim of this Strategy

vishaal_verma — 2017-01-08 11:49:33 UTC

- To minimise racism within the classroom

- To understand what words or statements can be offensive

- Recognise what racism is

Learning Cultural Diversity

vishaal_verma — 2017-01-08 15:51:04 UTC

Students become more aware of the cultural diversity in Australian society and become more familiar with some key terms used in discussing multiculturalism.

- -

vishaal_verma — 2017-01-08 16:36:20 UTC

Feedback

slmccagu — 2017-01-25 06:07:51 UTC

Firstly, I love the layout of this Padlet! You have obviously had experience with this type of format before, as it looks great. I found your strategies to be very insightful, especially since you have had experiences growing up with an ethnic background. The last video is a great conclusion to our piece. I would also love to learn about different activities that could be used to highlight the different cultures around the world.

Sophie

Feedback

maggie_frances — 2017-01-27 20:50:34 UTC

I really enjoy that you have personalised this topic and stated how important it is in our society. I agree that we must 'Appreciate differences and similarities among students culture' and I like that you talk about similarities as quite often we only view differences. The video to conclude is a great final note to resonate with readers. I have really enjoyed viewing your padet!
-Maggie

Feedback

cnwatt — 2017-02-04 05:39:09 UTC

Hi Vashall,
This is a beautiful Padlet that resonates with me quite deeply. I particularly enjoyed the video for understanding interculturality. I also loved your point that we must 'move away from our own understanding of culture and be respectful enough to accept and adopt the other person's ways'. That was beautifully said. One minor suggestion is that I would have loved to read how you believe the lessons would be received in a classroom drawing on your lived experience. Thank you for such a wonderful presentation.
- Cara. W.

U

2017-07-06 11:38:00 UTC

2018-01-04 18:42:37 UTC

2018-08-03 19:52:51 UTC

2018-08-19 16:44:10 UTC

elienealvesrabelo — 2018-10-21 13:04:35 UTC

SIGN UP LOG IN favorite_border share_arrow SHARE help_outline more_horiz Icon The Importance of Intercultural Understanding Looking at how to Understand Interculturalism, why is important, where and when is it relevant? Avatar of Vishaal Verma Vishaal Verma + 8 ● 10m

dobberer — 2019-01-18 16:33:10 UTC

dobberer — 2019-01-18 16:33:49 UTC

2019-01-21 22:29:30 UTC

close Pick a connector to remove

2019-02-13 03:23:40 UTC

2019-05-03 13:59:56 UTC

Inter

dkelas2018 — 2019-06-27 15:00:43 UTC

close Pick a connector to remove CANCEL

blyat

2020-01-28 15:35:24 UTC

2020-02-02 05:33:33 UTC

ggguf blyaaryyyggcloseclosecloseclosecloseclose Pick a post to connect to CANCEL

2020-02-05 17:32:17 UTC

ня

2020-02-05 17:32:25 UTC

меньше минуты

2020-02-05 17:32:25 UTC

меньше минуты

2020-02-24 16:48:18 UTC

2020-02-24 16:48:20 UTC

2020-02-24 18:32:58 UTC

2020-02-24 18:33:05 UTC

2020-02-24 18:33:08 UTC

2020-03-04 02:27:32 UTC

2020-03-04 02:27:38 UTC

2020-03-04 02:27:40 UTC

2020-06-18 10:40:24 UTC

gggryyyggWww.ohub.comclosecloseclosecloseclose Pick a connector to remove CANCEL

2020-06-18 10:40:25 UTC

gggryyyggWww.ohub.comclosecloseclosecloseclose Pick a connector to remove CANCEL

2020-06-18 10:40:26 UTC

gggryyyggWww.ohub.comclosecloseclosecloseclose Pick a connector to remove CANCEL

2020-06-20 03:38:14 UTC

Sign up Log in help_outline Icon The Importance of Intercultural Understanding Looking at how to Understand Interculturalism, why is important, where and when is it relevant? Avatar of Vishaal Verma Vishaal Verma + 20 ● 2d ggg ryyygg Www.ohub.com connect Connect to a post expand Expand post

2020-06-20 03:38:15 UTC

Where is Intercultural Understanding relevant?

pablocarrera — 2021-05-06 15:07:57 UTC

2021-05-26 19:43:30 UTC