Intercultural Communicative Competence - A Floating Signifier: Assessing Models in the Study Abroad Context

by Linda Huber, Theo Harden (Editor), Arnd Witte (Editor)

In the field of language education, intercultural communicative competence has become a widely used concept. But what is intercultural communicative competence? Although the term is often understood as universally applicable, it comes with manifold nuances. The ambiguity ranges from underlying definitions to corresponding competences, forms of assessment and their operationalisation. Furthermore, an empirical foundation for models of intercultural competence is scarce.

This book presents the findings of a qualitative research study on the views of language students, and critically analyses the speculative components of intercultural communicative competence regarding their feasibility in the study abroad context. It is argued that the notion represents a contingent and hegemonial interpretive scheme (Deutungsmuster), a floating signifier, which needs to be amended for particular circumstances. The critical reflection on intercultural competence in the light of real-life examples may serve as an incentive for an alternative approach to intercultural competence in foreign language teaching and contribute valuable information to the preparation of training sessions before a stay abroad.

326 pages, ebook

Published April 22, 2021

About the author

Linda Huber grew up in Glasgow, Scotland, but went to work in Switzerland for a year aged twenty-two, and has lived there ever since. Her day jobs have included working as a physiotherapist in hospitals and schools for handicapped children, and teaching English in a medieval castle. Not to mention several years spent as a full-time mum to two boys, a rescue dog, and a large collection of goldfish and guinea pigs.

Linda now lives in Switzerland, in a little town on the banks of beautiful Lake Constance.

Her debut psychological suspense novel The Paradise Trees was published in 2013, and was followed by The Cold Cold Sea, The Attic Room, Chosen Child, Ward Zero, Baby Dear, and Death Wish. Linda has also had over 50 short stories and articles published, some of which can be read in The Saturday Secret, a charity collection of short (feel-good) stories.