Intercultural Dialogue Framework for Transnational Teaching and Learning

Abstract

This chapter attempts to contribute to the understandings of the internationalization of higher education and the broadening of internationalization paradigms through an exploration of an intercultural dialogue (ICD) framework for transnational teaching and learning. The author highlights a shift from a traditional cross-cultural perspective which emphasizes stereotyped differences between cultures to an intercultural dialogue perspective which acknowledges dynamic interactions between hybrid cultural forces. It examines challenges for transnational higher education and discusses the underpinning theories and five key components of the ICD framework: understanding of learners and contexts, culturally sensitive pedagogy, contextualized curriculum, context-specific assessment, and supportive learning environment. The author's lived experience with transnational education is introduced as a case study against which the ICD framework for transnational teaching and learning is applied. The implications for transnational higher education and curricular and pedagogical issues are also discussed.