For students
Diverse language skills and intercultural competence are essential for success in studies and the world of work. They are also part of general knowledge and a valuable resource.
“I thought I was very international because I had travelled so much. But on (Movi’s) course I realised how biased and stereotypical my view of the world was. Now I understand what I actually know and what not.” - Jere, 21
Examples of the multilingual and intercultural competences for which Movi offers tools:
Reflecting on your attitudes
- Reflecting on and analysing your own attitudes, values and approaches are at the core of understanding and analysing diversity.
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Can your “normal” be “weird” and “exotic” for someone else?
Acquiring knowledge
- Do you know what knowledge and skills are needed in a multilingual and intercultural working life?
Skills development
- How to create and maintain interactive relationships?
- How to manage multilingual and intercultural situations?
- How to manage feelings of insecurity and uncertainty?
"This class gave an important opportunity to reflect upon my recent and not-so-recent experiences in multilingual and multicultural environments. … I had the chance to make sense and understand in a deeper level some of the things that I had encountered in the real world. Also, this class helped to break the barriers we tend to build between languages. It helped me understand that my language skills reach over the boundaries of languages, I understand and speak languages that I don’t officially understand or speak.
- Maria 23 v.
“Today we prepare for a world of work where we soon find ourselves outside of the familiar Finnish culture. At work we encounter situations where we interact with people from different starting points. Whether this takes place in customer contacts, at your workplace or with team members – you should be ready for it as soon as you enter working life.”
- Tomislav, policeman and IT student
The University of Jyväskylä Language Policy supports and facilitates internationalisation:
“The language policy promotes dynamic multilingualism, the ability to flexibly and rapidly react to communicative situations, the willingness to resort to even limited language skills as well as an open mind and a positive attitude towards different languages and language use. Modern multilingualism encompasses spontaneous and flexible co-existence of parallel languages in various communicative situations.” (p. 1)
See JYU’s webpages on internationalisation and student exchange for more information on planning international mobility.