Learning Continuum of Intercultural Understanding (Version 8.4)

This element involves students developing the skills to relate to and move between cultures through engaging with different cultural groups, giving an experiential dimension to intercultural learning in contexts that may be face-to-face, virtual or vicarious.

Students think about familiar concepts in new ways. This encourages flexibility, adaptability and a willingness to try new cultural experiences. Empathy assists students to develop a sense of solidarity with others through imagining the perspectives and experiences of others as if they were their own. Empathy involves imagining what it might be like to ‘walk in another’s shoes’ and identifying with others’ feelings, situations and motivations. In developing and acting with intercultural understanding, students:

  • communicate across cultures
  • consider and develop multiple perspectives
  • empathise with others.

Level 3

Typically by the end of Year 4, students:

Communicate across cultures

recognise there are similarities and differences in the ways people communicate, both within and across cultural groups

Consider and develop multiple perspectives

identify and describe shared perspectives within and across various cultural groups

Empathise with others

imagine and describe the feelings of others in a range of contexts