Indicators of Intercultural Competence: Questions for Faculty Discussion
ICC Attitudes:
How truly open am I to those from different cultural, socioeconomic and religious backgrounds?
Do I make quick assumptions about a student? Do I prejudge students or situations or do I withhold judgment while I explore all facets of the situation?
ICC Knowledge:
Can I describe my own cultural conditioning? For example, what cultural values impact how I behave and communicate with others?
How would I describe some of my students’ worldviews? How might these differ from the ways in which I see the world?
ISS Skills:
Do I engage in active observation in my classroom, paying attention to subtle nuances and dynamics among my students and in my interactions with my students?
Do I engage in active reflection on my teaching practice and on my interactions with those from different cultural backgrounds? Do I seek to understand why something occurred and what lessons can be learned from the situation?
ICC Internal Outcomes:
Am I able to adapt my behavior and communication style to accommodate students from different culturally conditioned communication styles?
Am I able to be flexible in responding to students’ learning needs, seeking to understand those needs from their cultural perspectives?
ICC External Outcomes:
How culturally appropriate have I been in my interactions with my students? How would my students answer this question?
Was I able to meet my goals in an appropriate and effective manner?
- Darla K. Deardorff, Duke University