1
Dimitrov, N. & Haque, A. (2016). Pérez, G. M. G. & Rojas-Primus, C. (Eds.) Promoting
Intercultural Communication Competencies in Higher Education. (pp. 89-119).
IGI Global: Hershey, PA.
Chapter 4
Intercultural Teaching
Competence in
the Disciplines:
Teaching Strategies for
Intercultural Learning
Nanda Dimitrov
Western University, Canada
Aisha Haque
Western University, Canada
ABSTRACT
As universities continue to internationalize their curricula and recruit a growing number of international
students, instructors facilitate learning in increasingly diverse classrooms. This chapter explores the
application of Intercultural Teaching Competence (ITC) by faculty members across the disciplines at a
large Canadian research university. Based on focus group interviews with instructors in eighteen
disciplines, it provides varied and concrete examples of how instructors mobilize intercultural teaching
competence to navigate diverse classrooms, promote perspective-taking and global learning goals among
students, practice culturally relevant teaching, and validate different ways of knowing and
communicating among students through assessment practices. Placing disciplines at the centre of the
discussion in this way elucidates the extent to which ITC may be adapted to fit the contours of the
academic field and allows readers to explore best practices for facilitating the development of
intercultural competence among students in their disciplines. Finally, the implications of disciplinary
differences in ITC are discussed for faculty development and curriculum support.
Keywords: Intercultural Teaching Competence Model, Inclusive Education, International Education,
Internationalizing the Curriculum, Educational Development