REFORMULATION OF INTERCULTURAL COMPETENCE IN THE CONTEXT OF A DIVERSITY-CONSCIOUS TEACHER EDUCATION AND PEDAGOGICAL SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

The relevance of this area of research is based on the increasing importance of globalisation, mobility, migration and superdiversity (Vertovec 2002), as well as the associated responsibilities of the education system – and hence also on educational institutions. It is postulated in this context that intercultural skills are needed as core qualifications and professional competence within schools and universities (e.g. KRUGER-POTRATZ 2010; AUERNHEIMER 2013). With reference to current scientific discourse and based on personal experience with regards to the operationalisation of education concepts for (further) development of intercultural competence, it is hypothesised that the concept is in part focused on lines of discourse based on a more traditional understanding of intercultural paedagogy. Many concepts are founded on the presentation of stereotypes and culturalisations and (artificial) homogenisations can be generated based on attributions.It is also highlighted that even in practical situations with a focus on intercultural competence, culturalisation is facilitated since determination through culture is suggested, hence there is orientation based on the model of national cultures and a unilateral and short- sighted focus on foreignness and (cultural) differences suppresses existing balances of power. MECHERIL clearly demonstrates that concepts must be fundamentally rethought and reformulated (MECHERIL 2013:16). This is precisely where my thesis work comes in Reformulation of Intercultural Competence.