Developing Intercultural Awareness
Badge awarded to
Aisling Nolan
Issued on 29 Oct 2026 by
National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education
The purpose of this course is to enhance the multicultural experiences of both staff, teachers and students within higher education. Higher education has evolved into a multicultural phenomenon with HEIs re-orientating to an outward facing trajectory which embraces new cultures along with the opportunities and learning this brings. Many HEIs are actively pursuing an International strategy which involves completing applications for the funding of transnational projects and recruiting international students. In particular, an increase in cultural awareness can encourage educational communities to appreciate the richness of diverse culture, to challenge prejudice and discrimination as well as promote equality. This awareness can also change the perceptions of interactions among those of different cultures and enrich the educational experiences of all involved. This course has been developed with these factors in mind and aims to equip HEI staff with skills and competencies necessary to appreciate the benefits and challenges of embracing interculturalism. The essence of this process is to become good communicators.
Issuer
National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education
admin@teachingandlearning.ie
The National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, which operates under the aegis of the Higher Education Authority (HEA), is the national body responsible for leading and advising on the enhancement of teaching and learning in Irish higher education.
Criteria
The learner should be able to:
- Define the concept of culture and how the cultural model of the Iceberg relates to it. What implications has this, for example, to the workplace?
- Identify how stereotypes can influence our behaviour.
- Evaluate how useful the application of “cultural dimensions” is to your relationship with students and colleagues.
- Identify how ethnocentrism and ethnorelativism can influence our behaviour.
- Reflect on the exercises and evaluate one’s own cultural sensitivity at work and effectiveness of your communication skills.
