Reflections on the co-construction of an interpretive approach to interculturality for higher education in China

Abstract

The inclusion of intercultural communication and intercultural competence in English language education in Chinese Higher Education is now firmly established in the ‘National Standards’ (2020). In a post-project reflection, we explore the opportunities and challenges in co-constructing an interpretive (non-essentialist) approach to interculturality and the emergent pedagogic framework (theory, methodology, teaching materials) within a Chinese-European research project. While partners shared an enthusiasm to make the project successful, power relations, academic and professional expertise, and certain theoretical and methodological preferences challenged the co-construction of the framework. Thus, our reflections highlight tensions, challenges, and lessons learned which will inform future international collaborations.