Development and Application of Critical Incidents-based Intercultural Training Program for Korean Students PDF icon

Lee, Seon Mi

Korean Journal of General Education 2015;9(3):281-311.
Published online September 30, 2015.

Seon Mi Lee

위기사건을 활용한 문화간 훈련 프로그램의 개발과 적용

이선미

Abstract

This study assumes that intercultural competency can be effectively improved by intercultural training program with the following intercultural encounters in short-term stay abroad. The purpose of the study is to develop a intercultural training program utilizing critical incidents for Korean participants of short-term experiential learning program in some selected Asian countries. Those students who are going to participate in experiential learning abroad program, are likely to be fully motivated to learn, be ready to take mindful learning which makes the intercultual learning more effective. Critical incidents method for intercultural training is used to make the learning more effective and the exposure to different cultures more fruitful, while helping the students get ready to solve problems, manage cultural shock and stresses in the following intercultural encounters. We developed 127 episodes of critical incidents for Korean students going to stay in 7 Asian countries, and designed 3-hour training program utilizing the critical incidents. The representative features of the 3-hour training program is identified as follows: Problem-based learning is combined with critical incidents method for intercultural training. Culture-specific approach is combined with culture-universal approach. The training program was applied to Seoul Women s University students who were to participate in a experiential learning abroad program. We came into the conclusion that the program is well designed enough to encourage the students to learn and understand cultural differences, and behave more effectively and appropriately in different cultures.

Key Words: intercultural learning, intercultural competence, critical incidents, experiential learning abroad program, culture shock, multicultural citizenship education.