Presentation Schedule
Navigating Diversity: A Comparative Study of Teachers’ Intercultural Competencies in Finland, New Zealand, and Australia (101236)
Session Chair: Janine Irvine
Saturday, 7 February 2026 16:25
Session: Session 4
Room: Opal 107 (Level 1)
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
This qualitative and practice-oriented study explores and compares teachers’ intercultural competencies in Finland, New Zealand, and Australia, focusing on teachers’ readiness and strategies for supporting culturally and linguistically diverse students. Data were collected through open-ended thematic interviews conducted in all three countries (N=20) and analyzed using a content analysis method. The study draws on a multidimensional framework of intercultural competence, understood as a combination of skills, knowledge, and attitudes that enable educators to teach effectively while engaging meaningfully with students from diverse cultural backgrounds (Rissanen & Kuusisto, 2023). These competencies encompass affective elements such as teachers’ attitudes, beliefs, and emotional responsiveness; cognitive aspects related to their understanding of cultural diversity, social norms, and global interconnections; and behavioral dimensions involving practical skills and actions for navigating multicultural settings. Findings reveal that New Zealand teachers demonstrate holistic and student-centered approaches, actively integrating learners’ cultural identities into pedagogy. Australian teachers show pragmatic adaptability, often relying on informal strategies and peer collaboration. Finnish teachers emphasize inclusivity, sensitivity and structured routines but lack systemic support and formal training in intercultural pedagogy. This study is significant as it highlights the urgent need to embed intercultural competence into teacher education and school-wide practices. In an era of increasing global mobility and classroom diversity, equipping educators with robust intercultural skills is essential for fostering inclusive, equitable, and effective learning environments for all students.
Authors:
Kati Keski-Mäenpää, Jyväskylä University, Finland
Janine Irvine, Cornwall Park District School, New Zealand
Lou Stanley, St Aidan's Anglican Girls' School, Australia
About the Presenter(s)
Janine Irvine is a Principal in Auckland New Zealand.
See this presentation on the full schedule – Saturday Schedule
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