Intercultural communication & Education Chapter 11

Education goals Education is important as it is perceived as an advancement in society. Education systems tend to be culturally specific and country specific – there is no universal curriculum We need to understand the education system in South Africa as it has changed considerably since apartheid and post 1994

Education in SA Apartheid was about segregation and event through education it sort to further inequality and separate people based on their race. If you were white, you had access to the best schools with the most resources If you were black, you weren’t allowed into white schools, and your education curriculum was different. SA adopted OBE post 1994 and then abandoned it for the current curriculum known as CAPS. The aim was to have one education system for all learners. Read more on pg 203

Studying abroad Studying abroad can be exciting but also lead to a lot of uncertainty as one would be stepping into an education system that you may be unfamiliar with and also a culture that differs from yours. There are varying cultures, languages and a different way of life. Diversity at SA universities also exist where we find students from abroad studying in SA.

Culturally specific education Some educational institutions are founded on language or religion. We hear the terms English-medium school or Afrikaans- medium school meaning the language of teaching and learning is in English or Afrikaans. Some educational institutions are guided by religion. We have Christian school, Catholic schools, Muslim schools and Jewish schools.

Intercultural communication in educational settings As we move within our country or between countries as students and teachers we cannot adopt a once-size-fits all approach. In some educational environments students don’t respond and the format of teaching teeters towards a lecture style, in other settings it is culturally accepted to be talkative in class and this could lead to a discussion-style format.