Intercultural and Global Competencies

Abstract

In this chapter I examine key theoretical concepts related to culture and the development of intercultural and global competencies, paying particular attention to L2 speakers. After defining the multifarious concept of culture, I explore the relationship between interculturality, intercultural contact, and the constructs of “the intercultural speaker” and “intercultural mediator.” I then review current theoretical models that address the following questions: What are the attributes and behaviors of an interculturally competent communicator? What does it mean to be globally competent? What roles do intercultural sensitivity and host language proficiency play in the development of intercultural communicative competence? I conclude by reviewing empirical studies that center on the developmental trajectories of L2 sojourners.