Articles
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Forced-Migrant Women’s Intercultural Communicative Competency Development in German as a Second Language
Abstract: The development of Intercultural Communicative Competence (ICC) has become a central component of successful second language (L2) use and social participation for all L2 learners. This is especially relevant for minoritized groups and forced migrants (i.e., refugees), as the social spaces they navigate produce challenges that traditional L2 learners may not face, and the stakes for their ability to effectively communicate are extremely high,... [...] Read more
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A Cross-Cultural Analysis of Graduation in Editorials: Force and Focus in Saudi and American Persuasive Discourse
Abstract: This study presents a contrastive analysis of the Graduation subsystem within Appraisal Theory, examining the strategic deployment of Force and Focus resources in newspaper editorials from two sociocultural contexts: Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat, Arabic) and the United States (The New York Times, English). While existing Appraisal research has largely emphasized Attitude and Engagement, the role of Graduation in shaping persuasive discourse... [...] Read more
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RETRACTED ARTICLE: Negotiating Cultural Values in Pesantren as Islamic Educational Institutions: A Case Study from Eastern Indonesia
Abstract: The Publisher [ 1 ] has retracted this article in agreement with the Editor-in-Chief. Upon investigation, we identified serious concerns regarding the integrity of the submission and the reliability of the publication record. Specifically, the journal found serious irregularities in the supporting documentation submitted for the article, including materials concerning institutional verification and ethical approval that could not be... [...] Read more
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Education as a Strategic Domain of National Security Culture in the Information Age: A Qualitative Scoping Review
Abstract: National security culture has emerged as an important factor shaping state behavior in contemporary international relations. In the current geopolitical environment, culture increasingly functions as a dimension of warfare and of national security, including information security. Drawing on a qualitative scoping review and grounded-theory-informed coding within a constructivist framework, this article examines the role of culture in the... [...] Read more
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Emotional Culture, Communication Climate, and Creative Idea Withholding: A Curvilinear Perspective
Abstract: Creative idea withholding constitutes a significant yet insufficiently examined obstacle to organizational innovation, as unexpressed ideas cannot be evaluated or implemented. Although previous research has generally depicted emotional environments as uniformly advantageous for creativity and voice, recent perspectives indicate that emotional norms may also restrict expression by fostering self-censorship. Drawing on emotional culture theory,... [...] Read more
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Intercultural Sensitivity Among In-Service Teachers in Greece: A Nationwide Survey Using the Intercultural Sensitivity Scale
Abstract: This study aims to examine the intercultural sensitivity (IS) of in-service teachers in Greece by providing a nationwide profile across the five dimensions of the Intercultural Sensitivity Scale (ISS). Addressing a gap in previous Greek research, which has largely focused on pre-service teachers, specific specializations, or geographically limited samples, the study investigates whether Greek teachers’ intercultural sensitivity is balanced... [...] Read more
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Destination Image, Cultural Intelligence, and Tourist Loyalty: Insights From a Tunisian Ecotourism Destinatio
Abstract: This research aims to investigate the structural mechanisms underlying tourist loyalty in emerging ecotourism destinations. Using the Stimulus-Organism-Response framework, it examines how cognitive and affective dimensions of destination image influence loyalty intentions, while exploring the mediating role of cultural intelligence. A quantitative design was deployed, based on a survey of 720 ecotourists in Tunisia, with Structural Equation... [...] Read more
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Language Anxiety as a Perceived Central Factor in ESL Speaking Difficulties: A Mixed-Methods Study of Low-Proficiency Undergraduates
Abstract: This study, grounded in a mixed-methods framework, examines the hindrances affecting the speaking skills of low-proficiency ESL undergraduates at a public university, with a specific focus on the perceived role of language anxiety. The study collected quantitative data by using a well-structured questionnaire, whereas qualitative insights were captured through semi-structured interviews to examine learners’ reported classroom experiences.... [...] Read more
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Speech Acts of Suggestion in Social Media Communication: A Pragmatic Analysis of Instagram Comments
Abstract: This study examines the use of suggestion speech acts in Instagram comments, with particular attention to how Saudi EFL users demonstrate pragmatic competence in digital communication. Drawing on Martínez Flor’s taxonomy of suggestion strategies, the study analyzes 103 suggestion-oriented comments selected from an initial dataset of 150 Instagram comments. A mixed-methods design was adopted: qualitative analysis was used to classify... [...] Read more
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Experiences and Agency of South African Black Rural Women of KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa
Abstract: This article seeks to highlight the experiences and agency of KwaZulu-Natal women through the theoretical lenses of African Feminism and the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach (SLA), foregrounding intersectional dynamics of gender, class, and rurality. The paper explores how rural women negotiate structural poverty, climate vulnerability, gender inequality, and socio-cultural constraints while exercising agency in livelihood strategies. Hence,... [...] Read more