Intercultural capability

The Languages curriculum provides an excellent opportunity for students to explore the connections between language, communication and culture.

In Languages, students have an opportunity to reflect, compare and contrast intercultural exchanges, and cultural and linguistic differences. To embed the Intercultural Capability effectively, students should be encouraged to “explore their own linguistic, social and cultural practices as well as those associated with the target language” (Victorian Department of Education and Training, 2019). In other words, students should reflect on and get to know their own, and another culture to develop skills about how to work between, and across both.

Classroom teachers could work together across year levels to seek opportunities to identify possibilities for Intercultural Capability to be taught and explored across the curriculum in a meaningful way.

For further information on Intercultural Capability:

• NSW Department of Education Intercultural Communicator Website 

• VCAA Intercultural Capability Teaching Resources

Intercultural knowledge and skills essential for living and interacting in the diverse world of the 21st century. In TCL, these refer to:

•  the ability to recognise the culture(s) of the communities where the language is used

• describe similarities and differences between the system of the language and English and how they relate to culture; and

•  the application of language register to adapt language production according to audience. 

As students learn about the language and cultures represented by it, they develop awareness of the role that culture plays in identity. They recognise the importance of respect and value the role of cultural and worldview diversity to create and maintain a cohesive community, with the aim of becoming responsible and inclusive local, national and global citizens.