Intercultural Competence

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.

Arnd Witte is Senior Lecturer in German and Head of Department at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth, Ireland. He has published widely in the area of foreign language acquisition, particularly German as a Foreign Language. His specific research area is the acquisition of intercultural competence.
Theo Harden is Professor Emeritus of Linguistics and Second Language Studies at University College, Dublin, Ireland and Professor Adjunto at Universidade de Brasilia, Brazil. He has published widely in the area of second language acquisition, particularly German as a Second Language. His research area is the acquisition of conceptual metaphors in a second language.