Intercultural Twinnings

In an ever-changing and interdependent world, diversity has become the norm, not the exception. Our constantly evolving understanding of intercultural communication and its rich complexities calls us to question, review, and renew our intervention practices. Intercultural Twinnings: A Commitment for a Pluralistic Society examines the impact of intercultural twinnings when people of different backgrounds, ethnicities, languages, and religions come into contact with each other in a variety of learning and work environments. These twinnings are more than language exchanges because they promote intercultural contacts, constructive individual interactions, and ultimately, more harmonious intergroup relations. Whether face-to-face or virtual, it is through these exchanges that participants learn from each other and appreciate the challenges and benefits of discovering the Other. The contributors to this volume explore theoretical models, methods, and intervention tools to support the work of teachers, researchers, practitioners, and university students.

Nicole Carignan, PhD (1994), is a Professor in the Education Department at the Université du Québec à Montréal. She has published numerous articles on teaching music and mathematics in a comparative educational perspective, teachers’ social representations, prejudices and discrimination, and intercultural twinnings.Suzanne Springer is the Director of English language programs at the Université du Québec à Montréal.  She has coordinated twinnings projects involving English language learners, both with partner community centers and universities. Her research interests also focus on language assessment.Myra Deraîche is Co-Director of the Intercultural Twinning Research Group at the Université du Québec à Montréal. Her research interests include teaching second language writing, intercultural education and teaching adult immigrants.Marie-Cécile Guillot is the Vice-Dean of Studies, Faculty of Communication at the Université du Québec à Montréal, where she also teaches French as a Second Language.  Her areas of expertise include intercultural twinnings, intercultural communication, and teaching writing.