{"id":5388,"date":"2025-03-13T14:08:04","date_gmt":"2025-03-13T14:08:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/erasmustrainingcourses.com\/learning-across-cultures-in-athens-a-week-of-dialogue-reflection-and-teaching-practice.html"},"modified":"2026-10-04T14:53:54","modified_gmt":"2026-10-04T14:53:54","slug":"learning-across-cultures-in-athens-a-week-of-dialogue-reflection-and-teaching-practice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erasmustrainingcourses.com\/pl\/blog\/learning-across-cultures-in-athens-a-week-of-dialogue-reflection-and-teaching-practice","title":{"rendered":"Learning across cultures in Athens a week of dialogue reflection and teaching practice"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"post-content\">\n<div class=\"blog-content\">\n<div class=\"paragraph\"><span><span style=\"color:rgb(0, 0, 0)\">Building inclusive classrooms is not about having the right poster on the wall. It is about creating a space where every <\/span><span style=\"color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:700\">learner<\/span><span style=\"color:rgb(0, 0, 0)\"> <\/span><span style=\"color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:700\">feels seen<\/span><span style=\"color:rgb(0, 0, 0)\">, <\/span><span style=\"color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:700\">valued<\/span><span style=\"color:rgb(0, 0, 0)\"> and <\/span><span style=\"color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:700\">able to participate<\/span><span style=\"color:rgb(0, 0, 0)\">. This is not always easy. Cultural misunderstandings, invisible biases and communication gaps can get in the way of learning. That is why <\/span><span style=\"color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:700\">intercultural education<\/span><span style=\"color:rgb(0, 0, 0)\"> is not just a theme. It is a <\/span><span style=\"color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:700\">daily practice<\/span><span style=\"color:rgb(0, 0, 0)\"> for teachers everywhere.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span style=\"color:rgb(0, 0, 0)\">From 05 to 11 October 2025, educators from across Europe met in Athens for the course <\/span><span style=\"color:rgb(0, 0, 0)\">Intercultural Learning and Cultural Diversity in the Classroom<\/span><span style=\"color:rgb(0, 0, 0)\">. The course brought together Dana, Anna, Ingrid, Pia Susanne, Marika and Catarina from Kunskapsf\u00f6rbundet V\u00e4st Vuxenutbildningen in Sweden, D\u00e9sir\u00e9e from FOS Marie Curie Meran in Italy, Tanja from Erich K\u00e4stner Gemeinschaftsschule Elmshorn in Germany, Fabio, Caterina and Mariagrazia from IIS A. Lombardi in Italy, Astrid and Alena from IGS Mainz Bretzenheim in Germany, and Margit and Kati from OSAO in Finland. Throughout the week, they explored <\/span><span style=\"color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:700\">practical ways to turn cultural diversity into a strength in the classroom<\/span><span style=\"color:rgb(0, 0, 0)\">.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"wsite-image wsite-image-border-none\" style=\"padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;text-align:center\"> <a>  <\/a> <\/p>\n<div style=\"display:block;font-size:90%\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"paragraph\"><span><span style=\"color:rgb(0, 0, 0)\">The week began with welcoming activities that helped participants get to know one another and settle into the rhythm of the course. Short name games and energisers broke the ice, while a brief introduction to Athens and its cultural heritage set a meaningful backdrop for the learning ahead. The group explored what intercultural learning means in education and why it goes <\/span><span style=\"color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:700\">beyond language or nationality<\/span><span style=\"color:rgb(0, 0, 0)\">. The day ended with a reflection session where participants shared their expectations and personal motivations.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span style=\"color:rgb(0, 0, 0)\">The second day opened with a wrap up and a new energiser before diving into the concept of identity. Through individual and group activities, teachers examined how <\/span><span style=\"color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:700\">personal history<\/span><span style=\"color:rgb(0, 0, 0)\">, <\/span><span style=\"color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:700\">values<\/span><span style=\"color:rgb(0, 0, 0)\"> and <\/span><span style=\"color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:700\">beliefs shape<\/span><span style=\"color:rgb(0, 0, 0)\"> <\/span><span style=\"color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:700\">cultural identity<\/span><span style=\"color:rgb(0, 0, 0)\">. Tools like the cultural iceberg, onion metaphor and tree of culture helped them visualise the visible and invisible aspects of culture. A trading activity on cultural values sparked lively discussions on assumptions and perspectives. The day closed with a reflection that highlighted how identity work can support students in recognising their own strengths.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div style=\"height: 0px; overflow: hidden;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"imageGallery\" id=\"141930400453538727-gallery\" style=\"line-height: 0px; padding: 0; margin: 0\">\n<div id=\"141930400453538727-imageContainer0\" style=\"float:left;width:33.28%;margin:0;\">\n<div id=\"141930400453538727-insideImageContainer0\" style=\"position:relative;margin:5px;\">\n<div class=\"galleryImageHolder\" style=\"position:relative; width:100%; padding:0 0 75%;overflow:hidden;\">\n<div class=\"galleryInnerImageHolder\"><a href=\"..\/uploads\/6\/5\/6\/3\/65630323\/img-9977_orig.jpg\" rel=\"lightbox[gallery141930400453538727]\"><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"141930400453538727-imageContainer1\" style=\"float:left;width:33.28%;margin:0;\">\n<div id=\"141930400453538727-insideImageContainer1\" style=\"position:relative;margin:5px;\">\n<div class=\"galleryImageHolder\" style=\"position:relative; width:100%; padding:0 0 75%;overflow:hidden;\">\n<div class=\"galleryInnerImageHolder\"><a href=\"..\/uploads\/6\/5\/6\/3\/65630323\/img-9995_orig.jpg\" rel=\"lightbox[gallery141930400453538727]\"><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"141930400453538727-imageContainer2\" style=\"float:left;width:33.28%;margin:0;\">\n<div id=\"141930400453538727-insideImageContainer2\" style=\"position:relative;margin:5px;\">\n<div class=\"galleryImageHolder\" style=\"position:relative; width:100%; padding:0 0 75%;overflow:hidden;\">\n<div class=\"galleryInnerImageHolder\"><a href=\"..\/uploads\/6\/5\/6\/3\/65630323\/img-0021_orig.jpg\" rel=\"lightbox[gallery141930400453538727]\"><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span style=\"display: block; clear: both; height: 0px; overflow: hidden;\"><\/span>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"height: 20px; overflow: hidden;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"paragraph\"><span><span style=\"color:rgb(0, 0, 0)\">Midweek focused on recognising and addressing bias. Participants analysed how stereotypes form and how they can lead to prejudice and discrimination. A combination of role play and discussion made the topic practical rather than theoretical. The group then moved into culturally responsive teaching and its focus on student experience and relationship building. Exercises on empathy, including empathy maps and active listening practice, helped participants reflect on their own responses and communication habits.<\/span><\/span><br \/><span><\/span><br \/><span><span style=\"color:rgb(0, 0, 0)\">Thursday expanded on strategies to bring cultural responsiveness into everyday teaching. Participants explored cultural codes, different norms of communication and voice, and how misinterpretation can lead to classroom tension. Together they examined learning materials and discussed why representation matters. They also tackled conflict management and shared approaches for addressing misunderstandings without escalating tension. The final activity of the day was a simple but meaningful gratitude circle that strengthened group connection.<\/span><\/span><br \/><span><\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"wsite-image wsite-image-border-none\" style=\"padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;text-align:center\"> <a>  <\/a> <\/p>\n<div style=\"display:block;font-size:90%\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"paragraph\"><span><span style=\"color:rgb(0, 0, 0)\">Friday was a free day, giving participants time to explore Athens in their own way. Many used the opportunity to reflect on cultural immersion and observe local dynamics through the lens of the week\u2019s themes.<\/span><\/span><br \/><span><\/span><br \/><span><span style=\"color:rgb(0, 0, 0)\">Over the course of the week, participants did not just collect new methods. They questioned their own assumptions, developed <\/span><span style=\"color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:700\">deeper cultural awareness<\/span><span style=\"color:rgb(0, 0, 0)\"> and <\/span><span style=\"color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:700\">gained tools for inclusive teaching<\/span><span style=\"color:rgb(0, 0, 0)\">. The training created a collaborative space where ideas were tested, challenges were discussed honestly and solutions were built together. The group left Athens with renewed motivation to support diversity not as a challenge but as an opportunity for <\/span><span style=\"color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:700\">richer learning<\/span><span style=\"color:rgb(0, 0, 0)\">.<\/span><\/span><br \/><span><\/span><br \/><span><span style=\"color:rgb(0, 0, 0)\">Discover more about this course <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/erasmustrainingcourses.com\/diversity-and-intercultural-learning-in-the-classroom\"><span style=\"color:rgb(17, 85, 204)\">here.<\/span><\/a><\/span><br \/><span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Building inclusive classrooms is not about having the right poster on the wall. It is about creating a space where every learner feels seen, valued and able to participate. This is not always easy. Cultural misunderstandings, invisible biases and communication gaps can get in the way of learning. That is why intercultural education is not&hellip;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/erasmustrainingcourses.com\/pl\/blog\/learning-across-cultures-in-athens-a-week-of-dialogue-reflection-and-teaching-practice\" rel=\"bookmark\">Czytaj wi\u0119cej \u00bb<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Learning across cultures in Athens a week of dialogue reflection and teaching practice<\/span><\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"neve_meta_sidebar":"","neve_meta_container":"","neve_meta_enable_content_width":"","neve_meta_content_width":0,"neve_meta_title_alignment":"","neve_meta_author_avatar":"","neve_post_elements_order":"","neve_meta_disable_header":"","neve_meta_disable_footer":"","neve_meta_disable_title":"","neve_meta_reading_time":"","_themeisle_gutenberg_block_has_review":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[48,60],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5388","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-athens","category-course-stories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/erasmustrainingcourses.com\/pl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5388","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/erasmustrainingcourses.com\/pl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/erasmustrainingcourses.com\/pl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erasmustrainingcourses.com\/pl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erasmustrainingcourses.com\/pl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5388"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/erasmustrainingcourses.com\/pl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5388\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12348,"href":"https:\/\/erasmustrainingcourses.com\/pl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5388\/revisions\/12348"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/erasmustrainingcourses.com\/pl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5388"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erasmustrainingcourses.com\/pl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5388"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erasmustrainingcourses.com\/pl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5388"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}