International Teaching and Learning Contexts 1

This unit adopts a Praxis Inquiry approach to teaching and learning and is designed for university students to undertake an approved international opportunity as part of their course. This may be through participation in an organised short-term study tour to a specified country for the purpose of completing a placement, or completing an exchange (or a short course) at an overseas institution where they engage in a unit of study about education in that country. The focus of this unit is for the university student to begin to gain an understanding of their own cultural values and then explore the language, culture, and education system of the country that they are visiting, by engaging in reflection about a series of real-life intercultural teaching and learning experiences. The university student will therefore begin to develop an awareness of diverse cultures, and the relationship between culture and education. They will return to Australia with skills, knowledge and resources for teaching about the country that they have visited. This will support and enable the university student to teach learners with diverse cultural, linguistic, and religious backgrounds. All applications to undertake this unit must first be approved by the course coordinator at Victoria University. Where a preservice teacher has received funding to undertake a study tour, there is a requirement that funding assistance must be reimbursed to the university if the preservice teacher does not pass the unit.