Perceptions about cultural diversity and intercultural communication of future teachers

Abstract

Intercultural education is a topic of great social and pedagogical interest and significance in the initial training of teachers. Its impact on the university context is an inescapable impulse by building an open mindset that respects cultural diversity as a key element that is a significant step towards inclusion. The objective of this study has been to know the perceptions and profile of a non-probabilistic pilot sample of university students from the Degree of Primary Education towards diversity and intercultural communication. A survey design has been carried out, for which an ad-hoc questionnaire was built. 62 students participated and completed with a simulated sample of 500 cases using the Monte Carlo procedure for data mining analysis. A descriptive analysis has been performed, as well as a cluster and tree forest analysis. Ward's method of minimal variance was applied for its ability to discriminate in determining grouping levels. Among the results is the existence of a positive trend towards the recognition of cultural diversity as an enriching aspect for the generation of inclusive attitudes and intercultural communication. Similarly, different profiles were identified among the participants, as well as a priority of the analyzed variables that distinguish the distinction between profiles.