Articles
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Intercultural Communicative Component (ICC) in the English Second Language (EL2) Curricula: Trends and Challenges of Transformation in South Africa (SA) and the Global World
Abstract: Globally, universities are tremendously pressurised to improve throughput rates, intercultural proficiency, and academic transformation. However, at some universities, educators often neglect the ICC component in EL2 teaching. This article analyses the feasibility of integrating the ICC component into the EL2 courses, to enhance curricula decolonisation, intellectual and cultural freedom in South African universities. From a socio-cognitive... [...] Read more
Migrant Crisis in European Multilingual Media: Identity Construction across Languages
Abstract: International news articles published in various languages are usually tailored by the editors for their target readers in the corresponding language. On the one hand, the transformations made to the textual structure of news are intended to offer better accessibility to the information and make it more relevant to the readers in the target culture. On the other hand, the domestication of news provides compatibility with social attitudes,... [...] Read more
Exploring Intercultural Competence at the Macro and Micro Scale: A Case Study from Albanian University Students
Abstract: Globalization and increasing cultural diversity have resulted in the growing necessity of being able to communicate effectively across cultural and linguistic contexts—that is, of intercultural communication competence. This study adapted extant empirically-based scales to explore the constructs of communication competence at the macro (cultural) and micro (regional) scale, the variations based on demographic characteristics, and the... [...] Read more
The Projection of Racial Identity on Social Network
Abstract: This quantitative study examined the projection of racial identity on social networks. A survey was distributed to 347 college students from a medium sized Midwestern university to assess ways in which participants depicted their racial identity on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. More specifically, scales were used to examine the use of photos and text, concealment of racial identity, and interactions with race related content. Results... [...] Read more
Research Perspectives on International Students
Abstract: This article provides a review on assumptions that guide research on international students. Five adaptation approaches (normative conflict, personality trait, friendships, orientation task of higher education institutions and plurality orientation of higher education institutions) as well as a biographical and a motivation approach are presented. These approaches are evaluated as regards to their scientific insight, and the biographical... [...] Read more
Intercultural Competence and L2 Acquisition in the Study Abroad Context
Abstract: This paper discusses our state-of-the-art knowledge of the role of intercultural competence in L2 acquisition in the context of study abroad programmes. As participation in study abroad programmes intensifies it is pertinent to ask whether and how such instructional context benefits language learners. Challenging the popular assumption that immersion contexts suffice to trigger acquisition, current research points to the role of intercultural... [...] Read more
Managing the Symbolic Power of Halal Meat in Swedish Preschools: Food for Thought in Discussions on Diversity
Abstract: Recently there has been much debate as to which foods Swedish preschools should serve. This text explores preschool teachers’ approaches to parents’ dietary requests. The empirical material consists of 14 focus group interviews with 41 preschool teachers from two areas of Stockholm. Results suggest that cultural and religious differences pertaining to food and diet requests lead to dilemmas and conflicts which are handled with instrumental... [...] Read more