Huber, Linda
(2017)
Intercultural Competence
A Floating Signifier
An Empirical, Multi-Dimensional
Approach in the Study Abroad Context.
PhD thesis, National University of Ireland Maynooth.
Abstract
As a result of globalisation in recent decades, intercultural and multilingual encounters
have become part of our everyday lives. A harmonious coexistence and a successful career
often require foreign language skills and intercultural competence to consciously perceive
heterogeneity and to respond appropriately to these encounters. Especially in the field of
language teaching, intercultural competence has become a highly diverse, widely used
concept, and a consensus on its definition and role does not exist. This thesis therefore
argues that current theoretical conceptualisations of intercultural competence with all
the attendant characteristics and complex human traits have so far been too scientistic
and broad to serve as a useful tool for second language education research. The
dissertation begins with a comprehensive review of the concepts of culture, competence
and model from various academic discourses and continues with a discussion of models
of intercultural competence.
In the light of an empirical study, current models of intercultural competence are critically
analysed regarding their feasibility in the second language education context and their
terminological and conceptual deficits. Based on the qualitative content analysis
approach by Mayring, data collected from 27 students of German at Maynooth University,
National University of Ireland are analysed and evaluated. All of these students
participated in exchange programmes abroad. The three methods of eliciting information
are individual, semi-structured pre-stay and post-stay interviews and an amended version
of the Autobiography of Intercultural Encounters as adopted by the Council of Europe.
The variety of experiences does not permit generalisation but the findings serve as
incentives for an alternative approach to intercultural competence, which could be
implemented into curricula at secondary and tertiary institutions to help develop teaching
and learning objectives.
Repository Staff Only(login required)
 |
Item control page |
Downloads per month over past year
Origin of downloads
Altmetric
Altmetric