Intercultural competence: Teaching it is worthwhile

Abstract

This chapter examines the process and context of teaching intercultural competence and its potential benefits. Based on a pragmatic analysis of the culture concept, we conceptualize intercultural competence in keeping with contemporary theoretical proposals. An overview of current research demonstrates the utility of the concept, even if there are caveats and limitations. We discuss the process of how intercultural competence might be acquired and its practical implications for intercultural interaction, which we illustrate using various scenarios. The chapter then reviews a range of diverse methods that have been used to teach intercultural competence and highlights the solid empirical basis for the success of experiential teaching. Special attention is also paid to potential risks associated with teaching intercultural competence. Overall, we conclude that teaching intercultural competence is a worthwhile endeavor but point to a number of unresolved questions to be tackled by future research.