Getting Started

To get started with Intercultural Learning there are many introduction activities that you could use before introducing Voices of the World to your class.  

First, you may wish to look at the Global Dimension's Global Days and explore the different global days that occur throughout the year.  Could you incoporate one or two of these into your planning?

1. Introducing Interculutural Learning

The following activities can be used as a stimulus to introduce intercultural learning to young people and be explored in a way that is appropriate for the age and stage of the learners.

1. A Sweet Starter

One effective stimulus that can open the door to a rich discussion about differences and similarities is through chocolate sweets that are coated in different colours on the outside, for example, Smarties. First, give each pupil a different coloured Smartie then ask everyone to hold up their Smartie to revela what colour they have been given.  Now ask: what do you notice that is different about the Smarties? 

Children should hopefully say the colours. Then ask the children to bite the Smartie in half and let the rest of the class see what is inside. By asking the children, what do you notice about the Smarties now, they should notice that they look the same inside.

Discussion of visual similarities and differences can then follow about what makes people the same inside and why outside appearances are not always a basis on which to judge someone and that it is important we engage with people on who they are inside, not on their outward appearance. 

2. Musicals and Films

Another excellent stimulus, for introducing intercultural learning, is the use of songs from musicals or exceprts from folms.  Play the Greatest Showman's This Is Me song Again, then have your class explore differences between the characters and their feelings.  This can lead to exploring how we are all different with a focus on diversity and inclusion. Another example that can be used as a stimulus is exerpts from Harry Potter. Using the following quote from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, “I am what I am, an’ I’m not ashamed. ‘Never be ashamed,’ my ol’ dad used ter say, ‘there’s some who’ll hold it against you, but they’re not worth botherin’ with”, a discussion of accepting our own identities alongside accepting others can be developed.

2. Introducing Voices of the World (VOTW)

The starting point to introduce VOTW to young people is the Hello Song.  We suggest that you first learn the Hello Song then listen to other countries sing the song in their own language.  You may then wish to try and learn the song in another language or have young people search information about each culutre.  If you wish to be part of the VOTW project, you can share your version of the Hello Song on the public online space (please see the information on the Hello Song page).