Learning Continuum of Intercultural Understanding (Version 8.4)

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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 4

Typically by the end of Year 6, students:

Communicate across cultures

identify factors that contribute to understanding in intercultural communication and discuss some strategies to avoid misunderstanding

Consider and develop multiple perspectives

explain perspectives that differ to expand their understanding of an issue

Empathise with others

imagine and describe the situations of others in local, national and global contexts

Level 5

Typically by the end of Year 8, students:

Communicate across cultures

explore ways that culture shapes the use of language in a wide range of contexts

Consider and develop multiple perspectives

assess diverse perspectives and the assumptions on which they are based

Empathise with others

imagine and describe the feelings and motivations of people in challenging situations

Level 6

Typically by the end of Year 10, students:

Communicate across cultures

analyse the complex relationship between language, thought and context to understand and enhance communication

Consider and develop multiple perspectives

present a balanced view on issues where conflicting views cannot easily be resolved

Empathise with others

recognise the effect that empathising with others has on their own feelings, motivations and actions