Foreign students as a tool for promoting intercultural learning at high school: a case study in Argentina

Abstract

In the present paper we focus on the attitudes that Argentinean high school teachers have towards the educational benefits of foreign students in the classroom. In this regard, we have carried out a survey in a Rosario city private school which is constantly attended by exchange students. By means of a half-structured questionnaire, we elicited how important they consider these students in their conversations with other members of the school community, which activities have already been implemented or will be in the future, their opinions about the role of schools in the social integration of foreign students, the students' previous knowledge about Argentina, and other similar topics. The article concludes with some guidelines for the teachers to acquire a greater command of cultural diversity as a tool for enhancing learning in various subjects.