(1173) FOSTERING PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS’ INTERCULTURAL COMPETENCES IN SHORT-TERM STUDY ABROAD

摘要

In today’s globalized world where most people are exposed to some form of intercultural interaction, educators are required to have global-mindedness and be interculturally competent so that they can prepare their students for communicating and working with people of difference backgrounds in their future careers. This study discussed a pilot project of the impact of participation in a two-month study abroad program on pre-service teachers’ development of intercultural competences. We examined how such a program, conducted in a mono-cultural country, is effective for developing these skills. The mixed results of the Pre- and Post-Program Intercultural Readiness Check Assessments showed that the participants’ initial state of intercultural competences varied, and that the development of those competences also differed across categories and participants.