Intercultural competence in higher education: academics’ perspectives
Intercultural competence in higher education: academics’ perspectives
复制标题
高等教育中的跨文化能力：学者的观点
DOI：
10.1108/oth-02-2018-0011
复制
发表时间：
2018
期刊：
影响因子：
3.2
通讯作者：
Susana Pinto
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Susana Pinto
目的
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to diagnose and understand Portuguese academics’ perspectives on the components of intercultural competence and on the importance of its development by higher education students.
Design/methodology/approach
Academics’ perspectives were identified during two discussion and reflection sessions included in the overall training program Intercultural Competence in Higher Education: building proposals with academics that took place at a Portuguese public university. Data were collected through audio recordings of the two sessions and observation notes and were subject to content analysis, drawing on Deardorff’s process model of intercultural competence (2006).
Findings
Academics recognize the multidimensionality of intercultural competence, acknowledging that it comprises attitudes (acceptance and respect; curiosity and openness), knowledge (others’ cultural contexts; self-knowledge and cultural self-awareness) and skills (observation and listening) that altogether will lead to individuals’ desired internal and external outcomes. The development of intercultural competence by higher education students, regarded in close relation to higher education internationalization, is considered crucial for changing prejudiced attitudes, preparing students to live in a global world and empowering them professionally.
Originality/value
The study sheds light on an issue that has been insufficiently addressed by research: academics’ perspectives on intercultural competence development, namely, in the Portuguese higher education context.