Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education Commons^™

Impact Of Two Courses On Intercultural Competence Of Undergraduate Students, Lauren Lindmeier, Ryuto Hashimoto, Elizabeth J. Sandell

Elementary and Literacy Education Department Publications

Increasing migrations across the world mean leaders at all levels need to become more competent in working across cultures. During the past 30 years, program designers, researchers, and others have investigated intercultural competence (ICC), often described as the capability to accurately understand and adapt behavior to cultural differences and commonalities. Tertiary education programs (TEP) are accepting these challenges by offering experiences (such as coursework, study away, study abroad, cultural events, etc.) that are intended to produce culturally competent graduates. The teaching and learning experiences described in this study at a midwestern American university may inform others. This study examined archived …

The Evolution Of Antiracist Pedagogical Work: Pushing Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion To Undermine Oppressive Structures In Our Communication Classrooms, Kristen P. Treinen

Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota Journal

In this paper, I explore the evolution of antiracist pedagogy. This paper helps to answer for communication educators: How did antiracist pedagogy emerge? Why did antiracist pedagogy emerge? Who does antiracist pedagogy serve? Exploring the historical context of multiculturalism, critical pedagogy, critical multiculturalism, antiracist pedagogy, and Whiteness studies provides a broad range of theoretical perspectives on multiculturalism as well as the how and why antiracist pedagogy emerged as a site for study. After reading this essay, educators should understand the need to push DEI to include antiracist work in our research, classrooms, and educational initiatives with our future educators, graduate …

Impact Of A Multi-Layered Autobiography Project For Transforming Intercultural Competence Among Pre-Service Teachers, Elizabeth J. Sandell, Luz Carime Bersh

Elementary and Literacy Education Department Publications

This study investigated how a Multi-Layered Autobiography Project impacts the intercultural competence for undergraduate students, many of whom were aspiring teacher candidates in the United States. For purposes of this project, the concept of “culture” was adapted from West and Turner’s (2018) definition: the norms, behaviors, standards, values, etc. shared by a group of people, and passed along to later generations. Investigators deemed that “culture” was composed of numerous microcultures among a smaller group of human beings (with their own language, communication strategies, behavior rules, and expectations), who are bonded together by similar experiences, values, characteristics, organization, membership, location, or …

Intercultural Competence Within Focused Diversity Courses: The Role Of Cultural Identification And Experiential Learning Activities, Preston Osborn, Elizabeth J. Sandell

Elementary and Literacy Education Department Publications

Objectives

Compare development of student subgroups after participation in a dedicated diversity course along with three different additional pedagogical activities:

• service-learning
• cultural partnership
• individualized coaching

Explore potential differential impacts of various pedagogical enhancement activities between students identifying with dominant or non-dominant cultures

Culturally Responsive Pedagogy (Crp) Bibliography, Jennifer M. Turner

All Resources

Bibliography of Culturally Responsive Pedagogy resources.

Research-Based Course Re-Design For Human Relations In A Multicultural Society, Academic Years 2010-2012, Elizabeth J. Sandell

Elementary and Literacy Education Department Publications

Intercultural competence is one way to describe how individuals and groups understand and adapt their behavior to cultural differences. University students can increase their intercultural competence by understanding behaviors and by experiencing cultural differences. One way to do this is by participating in a course, such as Human Relations in a Multicultural Society. The course's objective was to help students in understanding their own cultural roots, as well as those of other culture groups. This study responded to questions about the impact of multicultural education on intercultural competence among undergraduates. The data set included more than 130 students who took …

Designing A First-Year Composition Course For Non-Native Speakers, Mary Gustin

All Resources

A CETL Capstone Project by Mary Gustin on how she used "A Self-Directed Guide to Designing Courses for Significant Learning" by Dr. L. Dee Fink to improve her first year composition course for non-native speakers of English.

Comparison Of Intercultural Competency Between Russian And American University Students = Сравнение Межкультурной Компетенции Студентов Российских И Американских Университетов, Elizabeth J. Sandell, Olga Victorovna Klypa, Elizabeth A. Lohrenz, Oleg Voskresensky

Elementary and Literacy Education Department Publications

Intercultural competency influences the quality of international relations as cultural and global perceptions impact individual and collective attitudes and levels of participation. Research addressing differences and causes of varying levels of intercultural competency could ultimately provide insight, understanding, and progress towards enhancing global awareness. The purpose of this study was to compare American undergraduate university students' intercultural competency to that of Russian undergraduate university students. This study was theoretically based on the Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity (DMIS), developed by Bennett (1986). The DMIS described six stages of intercultural competency: (a) Denial or Unaware; (b) Polarization or Defense; (c) Minimization; …

A Graduate Student Perspective On How Student Engagements Enrich And Enhance Multicultural Awareness On The Campus Of Minnesota State University, Mankato, Tomoko Matsui

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The challenges of enhancing and enriching student engagement, in order to promote multicultural awareness, on the campus of Minnesota State University, Mankato are the impetuses of this study. Multicultural awareness involves a greater understanding, sensitivity, and appreciation of the history, experiences, and lifestyles of different racial and ethnic groups. Therefore, the main goal of this study is to promote multicultural awareness through domestic and international students' engagements on the campus of Minnesota State University, Mankato. Four different theoretical perspectives explained the study, for example, Tinto's (1975) social integration theory, which emphasizes that one main function of higher education is to …

An Investigation Into Native And Non Native English Speaking Instructors' Assessment Of University Esl Student's Oral Presentation, Rubaiyat Jabeen

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This thesis aims to conduct a mix-methods investigation into native English-speaking teachers (NESTs) and non-native English-speaking teachers (NNESTs) assessment of university level English as a second language (ESL) student's oral presentation. To collect data for this study, all faculty members and instructors currently teaching in at the departments of English and Communication Studies at Minnesota State University, Mankato (MNSU) were invited to participate in an online survey using Qualtrics Survey Software (Qualtrics). After receiving email invitations, altogether 31 people provided their consent to participate. Among the 31 teacher-participants, there were 19 NESTs and 12 NNESTs. The participants then took part …

Change In Cultural Competency Among Students During An Intentional Human Relations, Camille Mcnabb, Samantha Tupy

Journal of Undergraduate Research at Minnesota State University, Mankato

This study measured changes in the intercultural competency of undergraduate students in a course, Human Relations in a Multicultural Society. The hypothesis for this study was that the intentional, cross-cultural experiences in the course will have an impact on the cultural competency of each student. This course is taught each semester at a Midwestern public university. The study included 70 undergraduate students between 18 and 35 years old who voluntarily enrolled in the course and represented students in academic majors such elementary education, sports management, social work, mass communications, journalism, and pre- professional studies (e.g., mortuary science, veterinary medicine, therapy). …

Second-Language English Fluency Change In Native-Speaker Context, John Zehnder

Journal of Undergraduate Research at Minnesota State University, Mankato

This study examines the influence of social context on oral proficiency change among English language learners on the campus of an American university. Speech samples were taken from 2 rounds of interviews with 9 East Asian women. These were analyzed using the phonetic analysis program Praat in order to determine each speaker’s rate of stressed syllables at the beginning and end of the study. The change in these rates was used as a proxy for fluency change. This was then compared with each speaker’s social context. The results suggested that English language learners improve their fluency when they have at …

The Relationship Between Temperament And Changes In Cultural Competency Among Undergraduate Students, Kwame Opoku Akyeampong, Olufolajimi Onadipe

Undergraduate Research Symposium

The study examined the relationship between Temperament Type and changes in Cultural Competency among a group of university undergraduate students. For this study, Temperament Type (Keirsey, 1998) was considered to be a set of observable personality traits, e.g., communication, habits, behavior patterns, values, attitudes, talents, etc. Cultural Competency, according to Hammer and Bennett (2010), was defined as “the capability to accurately understand and adapt behavior to cultural difference and commonality.” The study responded to this research question: To what extent does Temperament Type affect changes in the Cultural Competency of undergraduates? Data was collected using two computer-based, online inventories. First …

Qualitative Analysis Of The Impact Of A Cultural Partnership On The Cultural Orientation Of Undergraduates, Sadie Liedall, Sarah Lieske

Undergraduate Research Symposium

This study compared changes in the Cultural Orientation of four groups of undergraduate students in a course, Human Relations in a Multicultural Society. The hypothesis for this study was that the intentional, cross-cultural experiences the students experienced in the course did have an impact on the Cultural Orientation of each student. A convenience sample of 85 students registered for 4 sections during fall 2011. The course design provided for intercultural partnerships with individuals from diverse populations outside the classroom and for reflection on such interactions. Each student completed (1) minimum of 18 hours service learning at an agency with persons …

Factors Influencing The Institutionalization Of Diversity In Higher Education, Kelly S. Meier

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

To understand the impact of diversity in higher education, it is important to consider the critical role that diversity plays in the educational process. This requires a broader understanding of the influence diversity can have on the curricular, co-curricular, and interpersonal experience of a developing college student (Denson & Chang, 2009). Strategies for anchoring diversity as a core value or relating it to the inner workings of an institution are in demand (Chun & Evans, 2008). The purpose of this study was to identify highly actualized diversity initiatives and practices that can be replicated at other institutions meeting the sample …

Impact Of International Education Experiences On Undergraduate Students, Elizabeth J. Sandell

Elementary and Literacy Education Department Publications

The article discusses research on the impact of study abroad experiences on students at Minnesota State University in Mankato. The International Programs Office at the university identified a convenience sample of 233 students who studied abroad during the calendar year 2006. The students were asked to rate the impact of their international education experience in four areas including professional role, international perspectives, personal development and intellectual development. More than 80 percent of respondents reported their international education experiences had already made them reassess their outlook on their lives in the U.S. and contributed to their level of self-confidence.

Fostering Global-Mindedness In Teacher Preparation, Gail D. Zahn, Elizabeth J. Sandell, Caryn E. Lindsey

Elementary and Literacy Education Department Publications

Teacher education programs require attention to the rapid changes in the world, in part because populations are becoming increasingly diverse. These rapidly changing classroom environments have prompted a need to train teachers who can communicate with and teach students from increasingly diverse backgrounds. In addition, they must have an understanding of cultural family values and practices which influence individual students among the various ethnic populations they teach. This paper will describe steps taken by one College of Education to create international partnerships and learning experiences in an effort to enhance their teacher training programs and develop an environment of global-mindedness.