This element involves students developing the capacity to process or reflect on the meaning of experience as an essential element in intercultural learning.
Students use reflection to better understand the actions of individuals and groups in specific situations and how these are shaped by culture. They are encouraged to reflect on their own behaviours and responses to intercultural encounters and to identify cultural influences that may have contributed to these. Students learn to ‘stand between cultures’, reconcile differing cultural values and perspectives and take responsibility for their own behaviours and their interactions with others within and across cultures. In developing and acting with intercultural understanding, students:
- reflect on intercultural experiences
- challenge stereotypes and prejudices
- mediate cultural difference.
Level 1
Typically by the end of Foundation Year, students:
Reflect on intercultural experiences
identify and describe memorable intercultural experiences
Challenge stereotypes and prejudices
identify examples of the acceptance and inclusion of others in given situations
Mediate cultural difference
identify similarities and differences between themselves and their peers
Level 2
Typically by the end of Year 2, students:
Reflect on intercultural experiences
identify and describe what they have learnt about others from intercultural encounters and culturally diverse texts
Challenge stereotypes and prejudices
discuss the effects of acceptance and inclusion in familiar situations
Mediate cultural difference
recognise that cultural differences may affect understanding between people
Level 3
Typically by the end of Year 4, students:
Reflect on intercultural experiences
identify and describe what they have learnt about themselves and others from real, virtual and vicarious intercultural experiences
Challenge stereotypes and prejudices
explain the dangers of making generalisations about individuals and groups
Mediate cultural difference
identify ways of reaching understanding between culturally diverse groups