Need for Enhancing Global Language Competencies in Teachers

Global competence refers to the acquisition of in-depth knowledge and understanding of international issues, an appreciation of and ability to learn and work with people from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds, proficiency in a foreign language, and skills to function productively in an interdependent world community. This definition contains four basic elements:

§  International awareness

This constitutes the knowledge and understanding of world history, socioeconomic and political systems, and other global events. This awareness includes the understanding that local and national events can have international implications. An individual who is aware of the broader world environment also recognizes that an individual’s actions can affect others beyond one’s own borders.

§  Appreciation of cultural diversity.

 This entails the ability to know, understand, and appreciate people from other cultures along with the capacity to acknowledge other points of view about pressing world issues. Awareness and appreciation of cross-cultural differences, and the willingness to accept those differences, opens doors for opportunities to engage in productive and respectful cross-cultural relations.

§  Proficiency in foreign languages.

The ability to understand, read, write, and speak in more than one language enhances cross-cultural communication skills. The knowledge of additional languages opens doors to the understanding of other cultures and people who speak those languages.

§  Competitive skills

The ability to compete globally entails the acquisition of extensive knowledge of international issues. To be able to compete, students need high-level thinking skills that enhance creativity and innovation. Students who gain a thorough understanding of the economic, social, and technological changes taking place across the globe enhance their ability to compete in the worldwide marketplace.

Global competence is a crucial shift in our understanding of the purpose of education in a changing world.  Students everywhere deserve the opportunity to succeed in the global economy and contribute as global citizens.  We must fashion a more creative and visionary educational response to the interconnected world of the 21st century, starting now. There is a great need for enhancing global language competencies in teachers. Thus a globally competent teacher is able to;

§  Communicate in multiple languages

§  Create a classroom environment that values diversity and global engagement

§  Integrate learning experiences for students that promote content-aligned explorations of the world

§  Facilitate intercultural and international conversations

§  Develop local, national, or international partnerships

§  Develop and use appropriate methods of inquiry to assess students' global competence development

Global competence starts by being aware, curious, and interested in learning about the world and how it works.  Globally competent teachers ask and explore critical questions and "researchable" problems - problems for which there may not be one right answer, but can be systematically engaged intellectually and emotionally.  Their questions are globally significant, questions that address important phenomena and events that are relevant world wide - in their own community and in communities across the globe.

Globally competent teachers can articulate the significance of their questions and know how to respond to these questions by identifying, collecting, and analyzing credible information from a variety of local, national and international sources, including those in multiple languages. They can connect the local to the global, for example, by explaining how a local issue like their school recycling program exemplifies a global process far beyond their backyards.  From analysis to synthesis to evaluation, they can weigh and integrate evidence to create a coherent response that considers multiple perspectives and draws defensible conclusions --be it an essay, a problem or design solution, a scientific explanation or a work of art.

Teachers have a presence that creates a positive influence on students’ behaviour. They can articulate their thoughts and ideas whilst modifying their language according to the context and audience. Globally competent teachers understand that audiences differ on the basis of culture, geography, faith, ideology, wealth, and other factors and that they may perceive different meanings from the same information.  They can effectively communicate, verbally and non-verbally, with diverse audiences.  Because it is increasingly the world's common language for commerce and communication, globally competent teachers are proficient in English as well as in at least one other world language.

Communicating ideas occurs in a variety of culturally diverse settings, and especially within collaborative teams.  Globally competent teachers are able to situate themselves in a variety of cultural contexts, organize and participate in diverse groups, and work effectively toward a common goal. Globally competent teachers are media and artistically savvy; they know how to choose and effectively use appropriate technology and media to communicate with diverse audiences, including through respectful online social networking.  In short, they are technology and media literate within a global communications environment.

Globally competent teachers recognize that they have a particular perspective, and that others may or may not share it.  They are able to articulate and explain the perspectives of other people, groups, or schools of thought and identify influences on these perspectives, including how differential access to knowledge, technology, and resources can affect people's views.  Their understanding of others' perspectives is deeply informed by historical knowledge about other cultures as well as contemporary events.  They can compare and contrast their perspective with others, and integrate their own and others' viewpoints to construct a new one, when needed.

Global competence also requires the ability to understand prevailing world conditions, issues, and trends through an interdisciplinary lens as well, in order to understand the interconnectedness of the issue and its broad themes as well as subtle nuances.  Globally competent teachers are lifelong learners.  They are able to adapt and contribute knowledge and understanding to a world that is constantly, rapidly evolving.