Internationalisation at home in university teaching

Pedagogical suggestions for international and multicultural teaching

The proportion of international students at the University of Graz amounts to around 17% (as of WS 2022/23). It is therefore very likely that instructors are confronted with international and multicultural student groups. Regardless of the number of so-called "incoming students", it is also important that lecturers promote the internationalisation of their teaching. After all, university graduates should be prepared for a job in a globalised working world. Since not all students can or want to spend time abroad, internationalisation at home, i.e. "the integration of international and intercultural dimensions into studies and local teaching"(Wachtling, 2020), is of central importance.

Hand holding a small globe with a doctor's hat symbolizes international and multicultural teaching ©JD8 - stock.adobe.com

Must-haves for international and intercultural teaching

  • sufficient language skills to use English as the language of instruction
  • diversity-sensitive interaction with students without polarization and generalization
  • awareness of the challenges faced by international students, such as
    • the confrontation with a different teaching and learning tradition,
    • a different examination culture,
    • a possible lack of language skills
    • possible lack of knowledge about the culture of the host country
    • possible problems with economic factors or social connection
  • transparent communication of course requirements
  • collegial exchange with other lecturers on international aspects of teaching
  • advice and further training on the topic

The "Teaching in English" certificate prepares you both linguistically and methodically to teach English-language courses in face-to-face and online settings. You can find all information about the course on the intranet (link).

Possibilities for implementing intercultural teaching

  • teaching content from a global perspective
  • integration of literature from other cultural contexts
  • stimulating exchange and networking between domestic and international students, e.g. through collaborative learning, group work, tandem formation, etc.
  • implementation of student projects involving international partners (e.g. as part of service-learning projects)
Four people of different ethnicities working together ©Pexels Lizenz, Andy Barbour

Suggestions for the internationalisation of teaching at the University of Graz

In the 2013 summer semester, the event series "High Noon - Didactics at Noon" focused on the internationalization of teaching at the University of Graz. The event recordings are available on uniTUBE:

Internationalisation of teaching - trends and perspectives

High Noon - Didactics at lunchtime: Internationalisation of teaching - trends and perspectives (uniTUBE video in German)

  • Speaker: Sabine Pendl, Head of the International Relations Office at the University of Graz
  • Teaser: Internationalisation is on everyone's lips, but what exactly does a university's internationalisation strategy look like and what foundations are needed for an international opening?

Internationalisation and its application-oriented challenges

High Noon - Didactics at lunchtime: Internationalisation and its application-oriented challenges (uniTUBE video in German)

  • Speaker: Dr. Markus Weil, head of the university continuing education course "Teaching in English in a non-English speaking environment"; head of the product area for institutional continuing education at the University of Teacher Education of the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland
  • Teaser: How do English-language courses succeed and what challenges do they pose for teachers and students? How can teaching be adapted to the needs of international students?

Practical examples of internationalised teaching

High Noon - Didactics at lunchtime: Practical examples of internationalised teaching (uniTUBE video in German)

  • Speakers: Dr. Christian Pippan, Institute for International Law and International Relations, Associate Professor Dr. Alfred Posch, Institute for Systems Science, Innovation and Sustainability Research, Assistant Professor Dr. Silvia Schultermandl, Institute for American Studies
  • Teaser: How can teaching at the University of Graz be adapted for an international opening? What skills are needed in dealing with international students? Using examples of good practice, teachers will present successful didactic approaches.

Internationalization and interculturality

High Noon - Didactics at lunchtime: Internationalisation and interculturality (uniTUBE video in German)

  • Speaker: Dr. Elke Bosse , employee at the Center for Higher and Continuing Education at the University of Hamburg; coordinator of the accompanying research project "Developing Study Skills"; employee at the Institute for Intercultural Communication; head of projects within the DAAD program for the promotion of foreign students
  • Teaser: How can teachers master the challenges of the internationalisation of teaching and increasing interculturality? What skills do teachers need and how can internationalisation strategies be implemented in teaching?
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Internationalisation