The Use of Literature in Developing Multicultural Sensitivity in Teacher Training

This paper explores the use of literature and writing as a learning tool in teacher education when learning about and developing an understanding of multiculturalism. My research studies how student teachers reflect on their own cultural understanding during their reading process and what kind of writing strategies they produce for discussing multiculturalism based on fiction. The strategies the students used show that this learning can be very experiential; it can clarify or strengthen students' worldview, raise criticism towards inequality and cultural discourses, or build students' professional attitudes. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer review under responsibility of Professor Heikki Ruismaki and Adjunct Professor Inkeri Ruokonen