Intercultural Competence in Physical Education Teacher Education: Virtual Exchange through Global Link

Abstract

ABSTRACT To prepare teachers for effectively addressing students’ cultural diversity in K-12, physical education teacher education (PETE) programs need to include intercultural competence training. Global Link is a pedagogical module, which has been designed to promote students’ intercultural competence in a PETE program. In the past 13 years, the module has been used successfully in a graduate course working with PETE programs in Belgium, China, Italy, South Korea, Turkey, and USA. Based on lessons learned from multiple implementation experiences, this article aims to introduce the Global Link module and present a four-step procedure for designing and implementing the module, teaching strategies and suggestions, and an example of a Global Link module. Four steps for organizing Global Link include: finding and establishing partnerships, planning for Global Link, implementing Global Link, and reflecting on Global Link experiences. Collaboration and communication between instructors involved in the Global Link are cornerstones to successfully proceed step by step. Incorporating the Global Link type of virtual exchange in PETE programs is suggested to better prepare preservice teachers for interacting with students from other countries in classes and to expand the scope of instructional content to international.