Intercultural Competence - Concepts, Challenges, Evaluations

This book explores the idea of ‘intercultural competence', which, despite its current popularity across various discourses, has remained a vague and oscillating concept. Interculture lacks a universal definition and ‘competence' is not only a cognitive construct but also includes psychological traits such as attitudes, affective aspects and constructions of identity. The essays in this volume approach the complexity of the concept from a number of different angles.
These include theoretical models for defining the concept of ‘intercultural competence', outlining paths for future research ; application of the concept in the teaching and learning of foreign languages, cultures and literatures ; exploration of institutional and sociocultural influences on mediating intercultural competence ; and analysis of the concept's impact on such diverse contexts as international business, religious constructs and notions of selfhood and identity.
The volume develops a broad range of perspectives on intercultural competence, providing stimulating new ideas, reflections and models around this important concept.