Eureka! Institutional Repository

The purpose of this research is to record the views of primary teachers of the region of Kozani on intercultural education, as well as to identify and study their degree of intercultural readiness. The survey was carried out by 128 primary education teachers in the county of Kozani, who responded to an anonymous questionnaire. The questionnaire concerns (1) the recording of the content of teacher education and the training of teachers in intercultural education, (2) the recording of teachers’ knowledge and perceptions of intercultural education, (3) the study of the teaching methods and techniques used in multicultural classes and the role of the all-day school and (4) the identification of the characteristics of the 'intercultural teacher' and the understanding of their views on migration. The results of the study showed that teachers are not well-prepared to manage students from different cultural backgrounds. There seemed to be an apprehension on how efficient their training is on intercultural education. They feel that there is a gap and they appear unsatisfied with the skills they acquired during university studies and the training programs concerning their intercultural readiness; there is a need for the development of programs that promote it. Teachers, despite the shortcomings in their pedagogical competence and intercultural readiness and despite the lack of information on intercultural education, have a positive attitude towards foreign students, for whom they propose education in the Greek school. Our research revealed that teachers have neither the appropriate teaching methods and techniques for multicultural classes, nor the ability to apply them daily and that they use some teaching methods - techniques, without adapting them. Moreover, it was established that many foreign students attend the all-day school, a fact which enhances their socialization and integration, provides equal opportunities and develops interaction, understanding and acceptance by all. Finally, it was found that male teachers and Physical Education teachers present a more positive attitude towards immigration than the rest. The discussion focuses on the study of the above findings and their correlation with other research findings. Furthermore, it makes proposals for the development of teachers’ intercultural readiness.