Teaching in an International Classroom Happily and Successfully

Strengthen your ability to teach effectively in diverse international classrooms while fostering inclusion, intercultural understanding and cooperation.

Activity Type: Physical Mobility

Duration: 1-week course for professionals from all Erasmus+ eligible countries and all educational levels.

Building Inclusive and Interculturally Aware Learning Environments

In today's interconnected world, educators increasingly work with learners from different cultural, linguistic and social backgrounds. These differences can enrich the educational experience, but they can also create communication challenges and misunderstandings.

This course equips educators with the knowledge and practical skills required to teach effectively in international and multicultural classrooms. Participants will explore the meaning of culture, examine models of intercultural competence and reflect on how cultural expectations influence communication and learning.

Through story circles, discussions, role-play and collaborative exercises, participants will practise empathy, active listening and constructive intercultural communication.

The programme also addresses stereotypes, prejudice, culture shock and culture clash. Participants will learn practical methods for recognising challenges, responding to misunderstandings and creating classrooms where learners feel respected and valued.

By the end of the course, educators will have a practical toolkit for supporting dialogue, introducing learners to different cultures and using classroom diversity as a source of meaningful learning.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

  • explain the importance of intercultural competence in education
  • recognise how cultural expectations influence communication and learning
  • apply teaching strategies suited to international classrooms
  • facilitate respectful conversations between diverse learners
  • use story circles and other intercultural learning activities
  • identify stereotypes, prejudices and cultural assumptions
  • recognise signs of culture shock and culture clash
  • use empathy and active listening across cultural differences
  • respond constructively to intercultural misunderstandings
  • create an inclusive environment where learners feel respected
Educators from different countries participating in an international training course

Schedule

Day 1 – Course Introduction and Setting Goals

Course Introduction

  • Overview of the course, the training organisation and the week's activities
  • Icebreaker activities to build connections within the group
  • Understanding the importance of intercultural competence
  • Exploring diversity as a resource for learning

Setting Goals

  • Identifying the needs and goals of each participant and their learners
  • Discussing international and multicultural education in Europe
  • Group discussions and collaborative activities
  • Participant school and organisation presentations

Day 2 – Understanding Culture

  • Defining culture and exploring its different dimensions
  • Examining visible and less visible aspects of culture
  • Introduction to models of intercultural competence
  • Practical activities for understanding cultural differences
  • Reflection on personal assumptions and cultural perspectives

Day 3 – Developing Intercultural Skills

  • Selecting tools for intercultural competence development
  • Understanding story circles and their role in intercultural learning
  • Participating in and facilitating story-circle activities
  • Developing empathy and openness to different perspectives
  • Sharing insights and examples of good practice

Day 4 – Navigating Intercultural Challenges

  • Understanding culture shock and culture clash
  • Recognising stereotypes, prejudices and unconscious assumptions
  • Using intercultural learning exercises
  • Identifying misunderstandings and their possible cultural causes
  • Applying the RADAR technique to intercultural situations

Day 5 – Effective Intercultural Communication

  • Exploring verbal and non-verbal communication across cultures
  • Developing empathy, curiosity and active listening
  • Facilitating respectful dialogue in diverse groups
  • Practical role-play and feedback activities
  • Participant reflections, course evaluation and competency roundup

Day 6 – Course Closure and Cultural Activities

  • Final reflection and exchange of learning
  • Awarding of Certificates of Attendance
  • Excursion and other cultural activities

Evaluation of Learning Outcomes

Evaluation format:
Continuous assessment on class participation and self-assessment.
Evaluation criteria:
Participation in class debates, reflection and games.
Evaluation procedures:
Attendance, class participation.

Recognition of learning outcomes

Recognition conditions:
80% attendance to the course and class participation.
Recognition procedures:
The participant and the teacher trainer will be both in charge of recognizing the learning outcomes.
Recognition documentation:
Certificate of attendance. If applicable, submit a paper.

Practical Details

Duration: 1 week or 25 academic hours
Schedule: Classes are from Monday to Friday in the morning or in the afternoon. The definite timetable will be sent at least two weeks before the start of the class. Saturday is reserved for Cultural Activities.
Sundays are for arrival and departure.
Note: other durations and schedules can be arranged on demand.
Certification Details: Our organization is duly registered as en Erasmus Teacher Academy, with OID No. E10333486. Therefore, we issue the appropriate Certificates so that your course and trip get fully funded.
Support: Understanding Academy offers full support in terms of Erasmus+ mobilities, but unfortunately we do not provide transport or accommodation.
Fee: €480 Press here to see what is included

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Erasmus+ funding available for eligible participants