INTERCULTURAL SENSITIBITY AND ATTITUDE TOWARDS CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN A SCHOOL CONTEXT

Abstract

This article aims at learning the level of intercultural sensitivity in williche students who study Language and native culture and inquiring about the attitude of teachers toward cultural diversity. Ninety six students from primary education and six teachers from a rural school located in the city of Puerto Montt, Chile, participated in the study. A questionnaire named Scale of Intercultural Sensitivity was implemented to students and a focus group was formed by teachers to discuss about attitude towards cultural diversity. The results indicate that students have affective skills for intercultural communication reaching a moderate level of intercultural sensitivity, while the attitude from teachers towards cultural diversity finds its limits between the way in which local cultures are valued and defended and the lack of knowledge about immigrant cultures and ties with them. Educating students to be aware and value other cultures is endorsed to be essential for the development of intercultural sensitivity