Intercultural competence

The capacity to examine local, global and intercultural issues, to understand and appreciate the perspectives and worldviews of others, and to engage in open, appropriate and effective interactions with people from different cultures. It includes recognising power dynamics and the ability to address conflict.  

Source: OECD (2018). OECD PISA Global Competence Framework

Openness to cultural otherness and to other beliefs, world views and practices

Openness is an attitude towards people who are perceived to have different cultural affiliations from oneself or towards beliefs, world views and practices which differ from one’s own. It involves sensitivity towards, curiosity about and willingness to engage with other people and other perspectives on the world. 

Source: Council of Europe (2018). Competences for Democratic Culture.

The expansion of an individual person’s experience of language in its cultural contexts expands from the language of the home to that of society at large and then to the languages of other peoples (whether learnt at school or college, or by direct experience) and which leads to building up a communicative competence to which all knowledge and experience of language contributes and in which languages interrelate and interact. Source: Council of Europe - European Language Portfolio

Transversal knowledge, skills and competences are relevant to a broad range of occupations and economic sectors. They are often referred to as core skills, basic skills or soft skills, the cornerstone for the personal development of a person.

Source: European Skills/Competencies Qualifications and Occupations website (ESCO).

Cooperation skills

The skills required to participate successfully with others in shared activities, tasks and ventures and to encourage others to cooperate so that group goals may be achieved. 

Source: Council of Europe (2018). Competences for Democratic Culture.

Empathy 

Empathy is the set of skills required to understand and relate to other people’s thoughts, beliefs and feelings, and to see the world from other people’s perspectives. 

Source: Council of Europe (2018). Competences for Democratic Culture

Knowledge and critical understanding of the self 

Knowledge and critical understanding of the self has many different aspects, including:

1. knowledge and understanding of one’s own cultural affiliations;

2. knowledge and understanding of one’s perspective on the world and of its cognitive, emotional and motivational aspects and biases;

3. knowledge and understanding of the assumptions and preconceptions which underlie one’s perspective on the world;

4. understanding how one’s perspective on the world, and one’s assumptions and preconceptions, are contingent and dependent upon one’s cultural affiliations and experiences, and in turn affect one’s perceptions, judgments and reactions to other people;

5. awareness of one’s own emotions, feelings and motivations, especially in contexts involving communication and co-operation with other people;

6. knowledge and understanding of the limits of one’s own competence and expertise. 

Source: Council of Europe (2018). Competences for Democratic Culture

Self-efficacy

Self-efficacy is an attitude towards the self. It involves a positive belief in one’s own ability to undertake the actions which are required to achieve particular goals. This belief commonly entails the further beliefs that one can understand what is required, can make appropriate judgments, can select appropriate methods for accomplishing tasks, can navigate obstacles successfully, can influence what happens, and can make a difference to the events that affect one’s own and other people’s lives. Thus, self-efficacy is associated with feelings of self-confidence in one’s own abilities.  Source: Council of Europe (2018). Competences for Democratic Culture.

Tolerance of ambiguity is an attitude towards situations which are uncertain and subject to multiple conflicting interpretations. It involves evaluating these kinds of situations positively and dealing with them constructively.

Source: Council of Europe (2018). Competences for Democratic Culture.

Ability to effectively direct, guide and inspire others to accomplish a common goal

Source: World Economic Forum - New Vision for Education)

Virtual Exchange Design skills

The complex blend of organisational, intercultural, pedagogical, digital and interpersonal competencies, attitudes and understanding necessary to design and co-create an appropriate sequence of activities online which foster effective interaction for positive intercultural experiences for learners. The learning design will intentionally take account of the importance of IP, accessibility and inclusivity of the learning environment.

Virtual Exchange Implementation skills

The complex blend of organisational, intercultural, pedagogical, digital and interpersonal competencies, attitudes and understanding necessary to collaborate effectively with co-teachers and learners in order to sustain effective interaction for positive intercultural experiences for learners. The learning implementation will intentionally take into account the management of online presence and the security of personal data.

Source: own definition

Conflict Transformation skills

The ability to engage in dispute resolution, principled negotiation and mediation in a way that results in a marked, positive change in the nature of the conflict.