Intercultural Competence Development Workshops for Educators

Research-Based and Outcomes-Focused

Drawing upon the latest research and best practices in global education, our workshops go beyond surface-level engagement with cultural concepts. We delve into the complexities of intercultural interactions, challenging educators to reflect on their own cultural frameworks and biases. This reflective practice is essential for educators to effectively guide their students in developing an effective approach to intercultural situations.

In today’s interconnected world, the ability to navigate and embrace cultural differences is not just a nice-to-have, but a must-have skill for educators. Intercultural competence (IC) is an increasingly important part of a modern education, pivotal in preparing students to thrive in diverse environments and global workplaces. At Baserria Institute, we recognize the critical role educators play in modeling and teaching these skills. Our workshops are meticulously designed to empower faculty with the knowledge and tools to foster a culture of global understanding, respect and skilful interaction within their classrooms.

The professional development programs at Baserria Institute transcend the mere transfer of knowledge; they are transformative experiences that reshape educational paradigms. Educators who join our workshops are not just attendees but active participants in a journey toward heightened intercultural competence. This journey is fortified by our commitment to research-driven methods, derived from the most comprehensive studies of high school study abroad programs and Intercultural competence development.

The majority of schools and organizations overestimate faculty and staff Intercultural Competence,

often by a significant margin. That overconfidence can lead to inaction. Baserria Institute can arrange Intercultural Competence testing and training for individuals or groups of any size. We specialize in evaluations used to help schools and organizations design programming to meet goals for Intercultural Competence growth. We’ll use our years of experience and proven tools like the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) to provide you with the clarity you may need to reevaluate your curriculum and practices. We offer several options, both in-person and online. We can pair your results with presentations, formal reports, and individual guidance and training for each member of your team.

This sample schedule of an intensive workshop is designed to enhance educators' understanding and integration of intercultural competence in their classrooms. This workshop is a blend of theory, practical application, and collaborative planning, ensuring that participants leave with actionable strategies and a deeper appreciation for cultural diversity.

Session One: Foundations of Intercultural Competence

  • Introduction to Intercultural Competence: Explore the core concepts and importance of intercultural competence in education.

  • Assessment Tools Overview: Get acquainted with the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) and other assessment tools.

  • Shared Language: Establish a common vocabulary for discussing intercultural issues in an educational setting.

Session Two: Strategies for Classroom Integration

  • Interactive Exercises: Participate in activities that simulate intercultural challenges and learning opportunities.

  • Curriculum Development: Discuss methods to weave intercultural themes into various subject areas.

  • Resource Sharing: Exchange resources and materials that support intercultural learning.

Session Three: Action Planning and Implementation

  • Group Workshops: Collaborate in small groups to create lesson plans and activities that promote intercultural understanding.

  • Personal Action Plans: Develop individual strategies for enhancing personal intercultural competence and classroom integration.

  • Community Building: Initiate connections for a community of practice for ongoing support and development.

Closing Session: Reflection and Commitment

  • Reflective Practice: Engage in guided reflection to consolidate learning and plan for future application.

  • Commitment to Action: Share commitments and next steps to ensure the integration of workshop insights into teaching practices.

This workshop is ideal for educators seeking to foster an inclusive and globally aware classroom environment. Participants will have a solid foundation in intercultural competence, a toolkit of resources, and a personalized action plan to bring their new insights into their professional practice.

Practical Approaches to Global Program Design

In the realm of global education, thoughtful program design is crucial. At Baserria Institute, we strive to share practical and innovative strategies through our workshops, focusing on creating learning experiences that are both educationally enriching and culturally sensitive.

Sample Intercultural Competence Workshop for Educators
(1-2 day)

“Working with Baserria Institute helped us challenge ourselves to improve on what we know is a solid program at our school. Our work wasn't really about fixing something that was wrong, but rather exploring ways to do what we already do even better. Aric was able to meet us where we are and provide personalized guidance; he achieves a great balance of providing concrete suggestions with a menu of options for our consideration as a department within our broader school culture. It's pretty exciting!”

-Wendy Levithan, The Hotchkiss School

The Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI)

The Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) is a research-based assessment that offers valuable data on an individual's intercultural competence. It's grounded in the Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity, which outlines the various stages of understanding and responding to cultural differences.

In our workshops, using the IDI can serve as a useful starting point for participants to:

  • Reflect on Personal Competence**: It provides a personal profile that pinpoints current competencies and areas for improvement.

  • Set Development Goals**: Based on the profile, participants can identify specific goals for enhancing their intercultural skills.

  • Measure Growth**: As a benchmarking tool, the IDI allows participants to track their progress in intercultural competence over time.

The IDI's data-driven approach can be particularly enlightening for workshop participants, offering a clear, empirical foundation upon which they can build their intercultural understanding and skills.

FAQs

  • Intercultural competence is the ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with people of other cultures. It involves understanding one's own cultural context, as well as the cultural context of others, and being able to navigate the differences and similarities with sensitivity and awareness.

    For educators, intercultural competence is crucial:

    1. Diverse Classrooms: Classrooms today are increasingly diverse. Educators with high intercultural competence can create inclusive environments that respect and celebrate this diversity.

    2. Globally-Focused Education: As the world becomes more interconnected, educators are responsible for preparing students to thrive in global settings. Intercultural competence is key to understanding global issues and working collaboratively with people from different backgrounds.

    3. Conflict Resolution: Intercultural competence equips educators with the skills to manage and resolve misunderstandings or conflicts that may arise from cultural differences.

    4. Personal Growth: Educators with intercultural competence can reflect on their own cultural biases and grow personally and professionally, leading to more effective teaching and mentorship.

    intercultural competence is not just a professional asset for educators; it's a foundational skill that enhances the educational experience for students and prepares them for a world where cultural boundaries are increasingly fluid.

  • Yes, Baserria Institute offers long-term training options tailored to the specific needs of educational institutions. Our approach is to partner with schools and organizations to develop and implement comprehensive intercultural competence programs that can include:

    1. Pre- and Post-Training Assessments: Utilizing tools like the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) to measure growth and identify areas for ongoing development.

    2. Customized Workshops: Interactive sessions designed to deepen understanding of intercultural competence and its application in educational settings.

    3. Curriculum Integration: Assistance in embedding intercultural competence into existing curricula and school culture.

    4. Follow-Up Support: Ongoing support and resources to ensure the sustainability of intercultural initiatives.

    5. Professional Development: Continuous learning opportunities for educators to keep abreast of the latest research and best practices in global education.

    Our long-term training is aimed at creating lasting change, equipping educators with the skills to foster an environment of cultural understanding and preparing students to engage with the world effectively.

  • The professional development workshops at Baserria Institute are exclusively facilitated by Dr. Aric J. Visser, whose qualifications are a blend of academic research and hands-on experience in the field of education. His credentials include:

    - A Ph.D. focused on the impact of study abroad on student growth in intercultural competence and creativity, directly informing the workshops he leads.

    - Extensive experience in educational leadership, including roles as a teacher and school administrator, providing him with a deep understanding of educational dynamics and faculty development needs.

    - As the founder of Baserria Institute, Dr. Visser has been pivotal in designing and executing immersive learning programs that are both impactful and grounded in research.

    - His expertise in global education is further demonstrated by his previous role as the Head of Schools and Programs at School Year Abroad (SYA) and his ongoing contributions to Baserria Institute.

    - A commitment to a data-driven approach, ensuring that the workshops offer practical, results-oriented strategies for educators.

  • The resources and materials provided for continued learning after a Baserria Institute workshop can vary depending on the specific needs and goals of the participating educators and their institutions. Dr. Aric Visser tailors each professional development session to the audience, ensuring that the follow-up materials are relevant and useful for the continued growth and application of intercultural competence in educational settings.

    Materials may include:

    IDI Assessments: For workshops that include the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI), individual assessment results and development plans can be provided to participants who complete this component.

    Customized reading lists that include seminal texts and recent research in the field of intercultural competence.

    Guides and templates for implementing intercultural competence activities and lessons in the classroom.

    Follow-up action plans that outline steps for integrating intercultural learning into curricula.

    Opportunities for consultation with Dr. Visser to address specific challenges or to deepen the understanding of workshop content.