Presentation given at St. Margaret's School in Victoria, B.C.

1. INTERCULTURAL COMPETENCY
September 4th, 2015 St. Margaret’s School
By Val Cortes M. Ed., M.A

2. You are from a different country
Your parents are from a different country
Your grandparents are from a different
country
You lived in another country/culture
You speak more than one language
Your partner is from another country
You have regular interactions with people
from a different culture
How do you assess your level of
intercultural competence?
–Cognitive
– Affective
–Behavioural

3. Learning Outcomes
As a result of this
session you will:
1. Increase your cultural
knowledge (cultural
variability)
2. Have an increased
sense of curiosity and feel
motivated to find out more
resources on Moodle

4. Things to consider:
• Moodle
• We are all as unique as our
thumbprints
– Generalizations
– Examples
• Culture is multi-dimensional
• Move away from the idea that “we
are all the same”

5. Bennett and Students
The Developmental Model of
Intercultural Sensitivity

6. Cultural Variability
Theoretical Background
Cultural Variability

7. Context
I’m hungry and I
cannot leave my
Office, I’m waiting
to see a student.
She is going
to go hungry
until she is
done with the
meeting…
She is asking
me to get her
something to
eat.

8. Context
Kindergarden Teacher (holding an
egg): “Describe this egg. Think
about the times you have eaten
eggs”.
Wendy: “Eggs are white and yellow
when they crack”
Laura: “I use eggs when baking
with my grandmother...”
The Role of Culture in Education (paper)

9. Narrative
By Liu Yang

10. Context

11. Individualistic-Collectivistic
Teacher: “Students, today we will
talk about what is unique and
special about you. Laura, you go
first”.
Laura: “Well…My big sister is a tri-
athlete and my mom...”
Teacher: “Sorry for interrupting
you, Laura, remember the
question is, what is special about
YOU”.
The Role of Culture in Education (paper)

12. Individualistic-Collectivistic
degree of interdependence
By Liu Yang

13. Cultural variability comparisons
geert-hofstede.com

14. Group Discussion
What are 3 strategies that you can
implement to enhance intercultural
competency at SMS?
Module 5 -Video

15. Let’s talk about diversity!

16. Next steps
Handout for Educators
Teaching Strategies
Discussion Forum with feedback from students