Autobiography of Intercultural Encounters Council of Europe Education Department – Language Policy Unit Autobiography of Intercultural Encounters Christopher Reynolds www.coe.int/lang www.coe.int/lang-autobiography www.coe.int/portfolio www.coe.int
The general goals of the AIE To support the development of 11 intercultural competences.
The general goals of the AIE To support the development of 11 intercultural competences. To analyse one specific intercultural encounter the user has experienced.
The general goals of the AIE To support the development of 11 intercultural competences. To analyse one specific intercultural encounter the user has experienced. To encourage reflection about the encounter.
The general goals of the AIE To support the development of 11 intercultural competences. To analyse one specific intercultural encounter the user has experienced. To encourage reflection about the encounter. To develop new intercultural competences
Two versions of the Autobiography The standard version, for learners aged 10-12 years and older.
Two versions of the Autobiography A version for younger learners, for use by children aged between 5 years and 10-12 years old.
Intercultural competences: summary Respect for otherness Empathy Acknowledgement of identities Tolerance of ambiguity Knowledge Skills of discovery and interaction Behavioural flexibility Communicative awareness Skills of interpreting and relating (seeing similarities and differences) Critical cultural awareness Action orientation
The AIE for Younger Learners enables the learner to make a personal journey inward, via the analysis of a particular intercultural encounter
The AIE for Younger Learners enables the learner to make a personal journey inward, via the analysis of a particular intercultural encounter supports and scaffolds self-reflection
The AIE for Younger Learners enables the learner to make a personal journey inward, via the analysis of a particular intercultural encounter supports and scaffolds self-reflection encourages and fosters the development of those intercultural competences which are required to engage in effective intercultural dialogue.
Examples of use of the AIE 1 – Following a school journey Use of the Autobiography of Intercultural Encounters on return from a school trip showed: - Intercultural competence does not depend only on command of a foreign language - AIE fosters discussions which reveal how intercultural skills are built up
2 – School linking programme School A: White middle class monoculture 3% of pupils having English as a second language Less than 5% from other faith traditions School B: 15% are from different minority ethnic backgrounds Around 45% have free school meals Regular turnover of pupils
Responses to the AIE interviews showed Evidence of communicative awareness Ability to show behavioural flexibility Recognition of the complexity of the task
Volume 2 available January 2013
www.coe.int/lang-autobiography