ELENA KHANZADYAN (MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE OF SINGAPORE IN TASHKENT)
TATYANA SOKHRANNAYA (Management Development Institute of Singapore in Tashkent )

PROMOTING EQUITY AND INCLUSION AS A PART OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR  INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS LECTURERS : INCLUSIVITY IN THE CLASSROOM

Inclusive teaching practices, or equality-focused teaching, involve creating a learning environment that provides equal conditions and opportunities for all learners to succeed, regardless of their cultural background, gender or other differences. Teaching International Business modules is an immersive process integrating the application of knowledge in practice which is often challenged by learners’ linguistic barriers and cultural differences. However, despite a profound interest and need in inclusive education, it is often underestimated by university professors and insufficiently applied in the educational process, especially in the context of business studies. This research aims at incorporating equity and inclusion principles into teaching practices of International Business lecturers at Management Development Institute of Singapore in Tashkent. The practical part of the study focuses on the results of an experiment involving a focus group of 6 international lecturers taking part in a series of trainings and reflective practice in a form of follow-up structured interviews targeted at the enhancement of their positive attitude towards integrating equity, diversity, and inclusion into their own teaching practices, including the discussion of related challenges and solutions. A series of reflection questions are presented across all the stages of the interviews in order to increase business lecturers’ positive action for embedding inclusive teaching practices in International Business classrooms and beyond.

Elena Khanzadyan is a clinical psychologist and a Leading Lecturer at Management Development Institute of Singapore in Tashkent, trainer-trainer in governmental projects. She is a dedicated professional with a 19-year teaching experience in ELT, Academic Writing, Communication Skills, Business Ethics and Psychology, running academic programs, course development and testing.

Tatyana Sokhrannaya is a Leading Lecturer and Head of School of Language and Communication at Management Development Institute of Singapore in Tashkent. She is a dedicated professional with a 5-year managerial and 18-year teaching experience in ELT, ESP, Academic Writing and Communication Skills; materials designer and trainer-trainer in governmental projects.