Global Competency: Intercultural Understanding

In today’s interconnected world, helping students develop intercultural understanding is essential. This goes beyond preparing them for future careers—it encourages them to think critically about the world around them. As you introduce the concept of intercultural understanding, consider how much your students know about their own culture, the cultures of others in their community, and the similarities and differences between them.

Students with a strong foundation in intercultural understanding are better equipped to navigate the modern workforce and engage meaningfully with various perspectives. The Global Leaders framework prepares students for today’s world by integrating global topics, current events, and key skills into their education.

Participate Learning has identified ten global competencies that empower learners to observe the world, feel connected to it, and take action to improve it. This post focuses on the sixth global competency: intercultural understanding.

Introducing Intercultural Understanding to Your Students

Students who understand that culture connects people and that differences exist between cultures are better prepared for future challenges. In developing intercultural understanding, students also strengthen other key skills, such as self-awareness and valuing various perspectives.

Fostering intercultural understanding helps students:

• Interact respectfully and effectively with people from different cultures.
• Consider new information and viewpoints.
• Enhance decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Develop creativity and innovative thinking.

Introducing intercultural understanding doesn’t need to be complex. Start small by building basic awareness of cultural differences. Over time, students can develop a deeper understanding of how culture shapes thinking and behavior, enabling them to compare and contrast different traditions, celebrations, and stories.

For example, Paola, an Ambassador Teacher at the International School at Gregory, provides her students with cultural exchange experiences that teach them about education in other countries.

Using Action-Driven Learning to Develop Intercultural Understanding

In a Global Leaders classroom, giving students a voice in their learning is central to the process. Problem-based learning activities encourage students to explore their interests while addressing relevant and authentic challenges.

• Focus on local issues: Incorporate problems from your community to keep lessons relevant and engaging.
• Reflect on identity: Encourage students to examine and share their own cultural identities, fostering cross-cultural relationships.
• Embrace flexibility: While planning is important, allowing students to guide the learning process helps them stay engaged and take ownership of their education.

These strategies deepen students’ understanding of culture while building skills they can apply to real-world scenarios.

Teaching Global Competencies for Career Readiness

The Global Leaders framework empowers students to apply their learning to real-world situations and design thoughtful solutions. Encouraging student agency inspires them to consider how their future careers can contribute to positive change.

By fostering global competencies like intercultural understanding, educators give students the tools they need to succeed beyond the classroom. Connecting students to their community and the wider world through action-driven, student-led learning supports engagement, academic achievement, and career readiness.

With the Global Leaders framework, students learn not only to master academic skills but also to develop innovative ideas that can make a difference. Share how you’re helping your students engage with global issues using #UnitingOurWorld.