Service-learning: a tool for intercultural teacher training. Building bridges between Ecuador and the Basque Country

Abstract

With the aim of analysing the benefits of the service-learning methodology in the acquisition of intercultural competences of teacher training students and pre-service teachers, an experience was carried out during the 2016-2017 academic year. A total of 54 students from the Faculty of Education and Sport of the University of the Basque Country in Vitoria-Gasteiz took part. The results showed that pre-service teachers demanded to experience a more active training model that was truly committed to society and to themselves and through which they could not only develop their intercultural competences, but they could also grow as fair, critical people, committed to the community, regardless of the context of the learning experience. The paper concludes that the use of active methodologies such as service-learning has a significant pedagogical, social, democratic and formative value for students as it impacts on their personal and professional development, fostering the development of their intercultural competence and increasing their level of community engagement, which are all essential values.