A descriptive study on cultural competence of teachers in English degree program
Soininen, Anne (2012)
Soininen, Anne
Diakonia-ammattikorkeakoulu
2012
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-201205025721
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-201205025721
Tiivistelmä
This is a descriptive study on the cultural competence of teachers teaching in international degree program by analyzing the experiences of students. To achieve high cultural competence teachers should be able to acknowledge the immense influence of culture, assess cross-cultural relations and be vigilant concerning the dynamics that results from cultural differences, expand their cultural knowledge and incorporate this knowledge into their everyday practice and adapt the diversity among the students.
Data collection is done by focus group interviews and my personal experiences. The interview was structured on the perspectives of the role of professors/teachers in own culture, conflicts with teachers and their professional competence, cultural awareness of teachers and understanding the heterogenic backgrounds of students.
Collected data is analyzed by using content analysis. Collected data guides the analysis but theoretical concepts are applied to support the analysis.
According to findings cultural competence is complex matter and the students who participated to research have experienced lack of understanding on their culture in their University of applied sciences by teachers. Another finding is that international students need and expect more support from their teachers in everyday life outside the study institution.
Data collection is done by focus group interviews and my personal experiences. The interview was structured on the perspectives of the role of professors/teachers in own culture, conflicts with teachers and their professional competence, cultural awareness of teachers and understanding the heterogenic backgrounds of students.
Collected data is analyzed by using content analysis. Collected data guides the analysis but theoretical concepts are applied to support the analysis.
According to findings cultural competence is complex matter and the students who participated to research have experienced lack of understanding on their culture in their University of applied sciences by teachers. Another finding is that international students need and expect more support from their teachers in everyday life outside the study institution.