Building intercultural sensitivity through foreign language learning – Teaching English in Poland Program (TEIP)

Intercultural competence is listed more and more commonly, along with language and communication competences, as one of main goals of language education. Why are intercultural competences a vital resource for the contemporary human? During enculturation and socialization processes we learn not only how to behave, but also how to perceive and comprehend the conduct of others. These rules of perception and interpretation are sort offilters, through which a person looks at the world, interprets it and, basing on these interpretations, forms attitudes and undertakes actions. Given the importance of this resource, comprising elements of intercultural education might be seen as a significant element of foreign language teaching and learning. The article focuses on the theoretical framework and practical features of Teaching English in Poland Program (TEIP), which has been established as a response to the need of developing intercultural competences among children and adolescents under the age of 18. The programme has been managed by The Kosciuszko Foundation since 1991. Teaching English during camps in Poland, linked with experiencing cultural differences between Polish teachers and students and voluntary teachers from the United States brings children and adolescents, as well as Polish teachers, a chance to thrive crucial social skills and competences such as better understanding of other person when trying to empathize and conceive their situation as the “Other”, as well as to recognize similarities and differences to one’s own culture. Intercultural education accompanying TEIP demands not only to provide knowledge and skills about society and culture in which the language to be acquired is used, but also to develop competences which are essential to gain adequate, open mindset towards “otherness” and “differences”.