Developing intercultural learning in Australian pre-service teachers through participating in a short term mobility program in Malaysia. (August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hepple, Erika; Alford, Jennifer; Henderson, Deborah; Tangen, Donna; Hurwood, Mary; Alwi, Amyzar; Hassan Shaari, Zaira Abu; Alwi, Aliza
• Is Part Of: Teaching and teacher education. Volume 66(2017)
• Page Start: 273
• Page End: 281
• Publication Date: 2017-08
• Subjects: Short term mobility program -- Intercultural learning -- Structured immersion experience -- Teacher education -- Capabilities Approach -- Experiential learning; Teaching -- Periodicals; Teachers -- Training of -- Periodicals; Enseignement -- Périodiques; Enseignants -- Formation -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 371.10205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tate.2017.04.014
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0742-051X

Abstract

Abstract: This study investigates the intercultural learning of 10 Australian pre-service teachers participating in a short term mobility program in Malaysia. Drawing on Nussbaum's Capabilities Approach, intercultural learning is conceptualised as developing three capabilities: critical cultural self-examination; affiliation with and towards others; and building narrative imagination. Our findings confirmed that participation in this structured mobility experience promoted critical professional self-awareness regarding cultural diversity; built trust and intercultural understanding through intensive interaction with Malaysian peers; and developed participants as more culturally responsive teachers. We recommend that a structured short term mobility experience be embedded within teacher education programs. Highlights: Ten Australian pre-service teachers engaged in a mobility program in Malaysia. Intensive interaction with Malaysian peers promoted intercultural learning. Participants developed critical self-awareness, affiliation, empathy for diversity. A short term mobility program should be embedded in teacher preparation courses.