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Intercultural Understanding
In their interactions with others in online communities, students consider the dynamic and complex nature of cultures, including values, beliefs, practices and assumptions. They recognise and respond to the challenges of cultural diversity by applying appropriate social protocols. Students learn about the interactions between digital technologies and society. They take responsibility for securing positive outcomes for members of all cultural groups, including those faced with prejudice and misunderstanding.
Typically by the end of Foundation Year, students:
Explore and compare cultural knowledge, beliefs and practices
identify, explore and compare culturally diverse activities and objects
Develop respect for cultural diversity
discuss ideas about cultural diversity in local contexts
Communicate across cultures
recognise that people use different languages to communicate
Consider and develop multiple perspectives
express their opinions and listen to the opinions of others in given situations
Empathise with others
imagine and describe their own feelings if they were put in someone else’s place
Challenge stereotypes and prejudices
identify examples of the acceptance and inclusion of others in given situations
Mediate cultural differences
identify similarities and differences between themselves and their peers
Typically by the end of Year 2, students:
Investigate culture and cultural identity
identify and describe the various groups to which they belong and the ways people act and communicate within them
Explore and compare cultural knowledge, beliefs and practices
describe and compare the way they live with people in other places or times
Develop respect for cultural diversity
describe ways that diversity presents opportunities for new experiences and understandings
Communicate across cultures
describe how the use of words and body language in interactions may have different meanings for various cultural groups
Consider and develop multiple perspectives
express their own perspectives on familiar topics and texts, and identify the perspectives of others
Empathise with others
imagine and describe the feelings of others in familiar situations
Challenge stereotypes and prejudices
discuss the effects of acceptance and inclusion in familiar situations
Mediate cultural differences
recognise that cultural differences may affect understanding between people
Typically by the end of Year 4, students:
Investigate culture and cultural identity
identify and describe variability within and across cultural groups
Explore and compare cultural knowledge, beliefs and practices
describe and compare a range of cultural stories, events and artefacts
Develop respect for cultural diversity
identify and discuss the significance of a range of cultural events, artefacts or stories recognised in the school, community or nation
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
Challenge stereotypes and prejudices
explain the dangers of making generalisations about individuals and groups
Mediate cultural differences
identify ways of reaching understanding between culturally diverse groups
Typically by the end of Year 4, students:
Investigate culture and cultural identity
identify and describe the roles that culture and language play in shaping group and national identities
Explore and compare cultural knowledge, beliefs and practices
describe and compare the knowledge, beliefs and practices of various cultural groups in relation to a specific time, event or custom
Develop respect for cultural diversity
discuss opportunities that cultural diversity offers within Australia and the Asia-Pacific region
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
Challenge stereotypes and prejudices
explain the impact of stereotypes and prejudices on individuals and groups within Australia
Mediate cultural differences
discuss ways of reconciling differing cultural values and perspectives in addressing common concerns
Typically by the end of Year 8, students:
Investigate culture and cultural identity
explain ways that cultural groups and identities change over time and in different contexts
Explore and compare cultural knowledge, beliefs and practices
analyse the dynamic nature of cultural knowledge, beliefs and practices in a range of personal, social and historical contexts
Develop respect for cultural diversity
understand the importance of maintaining and celebrating cultural traditions for the development of personal, group and national identities
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
Challenge stereotypes and prejudices
identify and challenge stereotypes and prejudices in the representation of group, national and regional identities
Mediate cultural differences
identify and address challenging issues in ways that respect cultural diversity and the right of all to be heard
Typically by the end of Year 10, students:
Investigate culture and cultural identity
analyse how membership of local, regional, national and international groups shapes identities including their own
Explore and compare cultural knowledge, beliefs and practices
critically analyse the complex and dynamic nature of knowledge, beliefs and practices in a wide range of contexts over time
Develop respect for cultural diversity
understand the importance of mutual respect in promoting cultural exchange and collaboration in an interconnected world
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
Challenge stereotypes and prejudices
critique the use of stereotypes and prejudices in texts and issues concerning specific cultural groups at national, regional and global levels
Mediate cultural differences
recognise the challenges and benefits of living and working in a culturally diverse society and the role that cultural mediation plays in learning to live together
Typically by the end of Foundation Year, students:
Investigate culture and cultural identity
share ideas about self and belonging with peers
Explore and compare cultural knowledge, beliefs and practices
identify, explore and compare culturally diverse activities and objects
Develop respect for cultural diversity
discuss ideas about cultural diversity in local contexts
Consider and develop multiple perspectives
express their opinions and listen to the opinions of others in given situations
Empathise with others
imagine and describe their own feelings if they were put in someone else’s place
Challenge stereotypes and prejudices
identify examples of the acceptance and inclusion of others in given situations
Mediate cultural differences
identify similarities and differences between themselves and their peers
Typically by the end of Year 2, students:
Investigate culture and cultural identity
identify and describe the various groups to which they belong and the ways people act and communicate within them
Explore and compare cultural knowledge, beliefs and practices
describe and compare the way they live with people in other places or times
Develop respect for cultural diversity
describe ways that diversity presents opportunities for new experiences and understandings
Communicate across cultures
describe how the use of words and body language in interactions may have different meanings for various cultural groups
Consider and develop multiple perspectives
express their own perspectives on familiar topics and texts, and identify the perspectives of others
Empathise with others
imagine and describe the feelings of others in familiar situations
Challenge stereotypes and prejudices
discuss the effects of acceptance and inclusion in familiar situations
Mediate cultural differences
recognise that cultural differences may affect understanding between people
Typically by the end of Year 4, students:
Explore and compare cultural knowledge, beliefs and practices
describe and compare a range of cultural stories, events and artefacts
Develop respect for cultural diversity
identify and discuss the significance of a range of cultural events, artefacts or stories recognised in the school, community or nation
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
Challenge stereotypes and prejudices
explain the dangers of making generalisations about individuals and groups
Mediate cultural differences
identify ways of reaching understanding between culturally diverse groups
Typically by the end of Year 6, students:
Investigate culture and cultural identity
identify and describe the roles that culture and language play in shaping group and national identities
Explore and compare cultural knowledge, beliefs and practices
describe and compare the knowledge, beliefs and practices of various cultural groups in relation to a specific time, event or custom
Develop respect for cultural diversity
discuss opportunities that cultural diversity offers within Australia and the Asia-Pacific region
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
Challenge stereotypes and prejudices
explain the impact of stereotypes and prejudices on individuals and groups within Australia
Mediate cultural differences
discuss ways of reconciling differing cultural values and perspectives in addressing common concerns
Typically by the end of Year 8, students:
Investigate culture and cultural identity
explain ways that cultural groups and identities change over time and in different contexts
Explore and compare cultural knowledge, beliefs and practices
analyse the dynamic nature of cultural knowledge, beliefs and practices in a range of personal, social and historical contexts
Develop respect for cultural diversity
understand the importance of maintaining and celebrating cultural traditions for the development of personal, group and national identities
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
Challenge stereotypes and prejudice
identify and challenge stereotypes and prejudices in the representation of group, national and regional identities
Mediate cultural differences
identify and address challenging issues in ways that respect cultural diversity and the right of all to be heard
Typically by the end of Year 10, students:
Investigate culture and cultural identity
analyse how membership of local, regional, national and international groups shapes identities including their own
Explore and compare cultural knowledge, beliefs and practices
critically analyse the complex and dynamic nature of knowledge, beliefs and practices in a wide range of contexts over time
Develop respect for cultural diversity
understand the importance of mutual respect in promoting cultural exchange and collaboration in an interconnected world
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
Challenge stereotypes and prejudices
critique the use of stereotypes and prejudices in texts and issues concerning specific cultural groups at national, regional and global levels
Mediate cultural differences
recognise the challenges and benefits of living and working in a culturally diverse society and the role that cultural mediation plays in learning to live together
Typically by the end of Foundation Year, students:
Communicate across cultures
recognise that people use different languages to communicate
Consider and develop multiple perspectives
express their opinions and listen to the opinions of others in given situations
Empathise with others
imagine and describe their own feelings if they were put in someone else’s place
Challenge stereotypes and prejudices
identify examples of the acceptance and inclusion of others in given situations
Mediate cultural differences
identify similarities and differences between themselves and their peers
Typically by the end of Year 2, students:
Communicate across cultures
describe how the use of words and body language in interactions may have different meanings for various cultural groups
Consider and develop multiple perspectives
express their own perspectives on familiar topics and texts, and identify the perspectives of others
Empathise with others
imagine and describe the feelings of others in familiar situations
Challenge stereotypes and prejudices
discuss the effects of acceptance and inclusion in familiar situations
Mediate cultural differences
recognise that cultural differences may affect understanding between people
Typically by the end of Year 4, 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
Challenge stereotypes and prejudices
explain the impact of stereotypes and prejudices on individuals and groups within Australia
Mediate cultural differences
discuss ways of reconciling differing cultural values and perspectives in addressing common concerns
Typically by the end of Year 2, 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
Challenge stereotypes and prejudices
identify and challenge stereotypes and prejudices in the representation of group, national and regional identities
Mediate cultural differences
identify and address challenging issues in ways that respect cultural diversity and the right of all to be heard
Typically by the end of Year 10, students:
Develop respect for cultural diversity
understand the importance of mutual respect in promoting cultural exchange and collaboration in an interconnected world
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
Challenge stereotypes and prejudices
critique the use of stereotypes and prejudices in texts and issues concerning specific cultural groups at national, regional and global levels
Mediate cultural differences
recognise the challenges and benefits of living and working in a culturally diverse society and the role that cultural mediation plays in learning to live together
Typically by the end of Foundation Year, students:
Investigate culture and cultural identity
share ideas about self and belonging with peers
Explore and compare cultural knowledge, beliefs and practices
identify, explore and compare culturally diverse activities and objects
Develop respect for cultural diversity
Typically by the end of Year 2, students:
Explore and compare cultural knowledge, beliefs and practices
describe and compare the way they live with people in other places or times
Develop respect for cultural diversity
describe ways that diversity presents opportunities for new experiences and understandings
Typically by the end of Year 4, students:
Investigate culture and cultural identity
identify and describe variability within and across cultural groups
Explore and compare cultural knowledge, beliefs and practices
describe and compare a range of cultural stories, events and artefacts
Develop respect for cultural diversity
identify and discuss the significance of a range of cultural events, artefacts or stories recognised in the school, community or nation
Typically by the end of Year 4, students:
Investigate culture and cultural identity
identify and describe the roles that culture and language play in shaping group and national identities
Explore and compare cultural knowledge, beliefs and practices
describe and compare the knowledge, beliefs and practices of various cultural groups in relation to a specific time, event or custom
Develop respect for cultural diversity
discuss opportunities that cultural diversity offers within Australia and the Asia-Pacific region
Typically by the end of Year 8, students:
Investigate culture and cultural identity
explain ways that cultural groups and identities change over time and in different contexts
Explore and compare cultural knowledge, beliefs and practices
analyse the dynamic nature of cultural knowledge, beliefs and practices in a range of personal, social and historical contexts
Develop respect for cultural diversity
understand the importance of maintaining and celebrating cultural traditions for the development of personal, group and national identities
Typically by the end of Year 10, students:
Investigate culture and cultural identity
analyse how membership of local, regional, national and international groups shapes identities including their own
Explore and compare cultural knowledge, beliefs and practices
critically analyse the complex and dynamic nature of knowledge, beliefs and practices in a wide range of contexts over time
Develop respect for cultural diversity
understand the importance of mutual respect in promoting cultural exchange and collaboration in an interconnected world