English

I am a third year student and I am to follow English for only this semester. My first impression of this course is very good, as I like the fact, that we all are being push into speaking the language. But also that we are being pushed into making a lot of reflections do to the subject we are talking about. As for today we have read a text of Michael Byram and his thoughts on intercultural competence. The subject is actually rather difficult as it is not easy to describe, but we can talk about what it is. And that is also what Michael Byram is stating in his text, that intercultural competence is not only that one needs to have some basic knowledge about another culture and country, but also know something about behavior, skills, attitude. But how are we then in the classroom to know, when we have thought the children about intercultural competence? Normally we would use tests, maybe multiple choices, and then just give the student a grade for how much they have learned about intercultural competence. Byram states, that one cannot just do this on this specific topic, as it is not only about knowledge. Common European Framework are to come up with other ways of evaluation forms, but they have found this rather difficult and therefor Byram states 5 elements which he think should be in the evaluation form.  And by that said, he mentions portfolio as an evaluation form.

 

I think he has some points in this portfolio talk, as we are to forget the people inside the students. By that I mean, human skills are also important, it is not only important that a student remember specific historical facts, but also being able to talk about other cultures and how some people live their lifes, understanding how some things are different from ours. So the students should be evaluated on how they are active in the discussions.

So in general I think intercultural competence is a very important subject for me as a soon to be teacher, as I have to incorporate some kind of intercultural knowhow in my classroom. But if I where to teach about this subject to a 1-4^th grader, I would not call it “intercultural competence”. I would incorporate in my teaching under ex a theme week. Create focus on other cultures by having the children fell and see other cultures.

 So in all I would say that this has been a great beginning of the semester, looking forward to continue.