ICC Q&A

*Bare with me, this blog is a little different, to explain some concepts, there’s a fun little question and answer type format.

Do you think Intercultural Communicative Competence (ICC) is an essential aspect of learning a language?

Yes, I do think ICC is essential in language learning. Without some form of cultural awareness, interacting with a native speaker would be like navigating an unfamiliar house in the dark. Language is connected to culture, you could get away with very basic words and phrases without ICC, but if you want to achieve fluency, to speak with natives on a regular basis, ICC is essential.

Do you think it is possible to assess students’ intercultural competence objectively?

I think it is difficult to assess a students intercultural competence objectively. It can be difficult for people to express their intercultural competence effectively, so for those assessing it, it must be even more challenging.

What have you learnt from observing some case studies?

From observing case studies I have learned that you have to be imaginative when assessing ICC. It seems like its hard to find a way to assess ICC that doesn’t take too much time. It also seems as though you have to  think outside the box, to ensure everyone will be able to complete the task and that you can examine individual’s competence.

Do you think that ICC is important for your future employability? How?

Completely, ICC is important for my future employability because no matter where you go, there will be people from different cultures. If I go abroad to work, I will definitely need to have ICC, to feel as if I belong there, then if I stay in Ireland it is also important because chances are, I’ll be working with other people, and as we have learned in the Virtual Exchange, (Ireland, being in Europe) has become a destination for migrants, not just a country people leave to go somewhere else.

Would current social challenges in the globalised world benefit if graduates had developed ICC during their college years?

YES! I think if people have a better cultural awareness of others they would be more compassionate towards people from other cultures. Social challenges such as migration could be tackled more efficiently as there would be an understanding as to why people may want to move to another country. A lot of hostility is shown towards migrants, and I think it’s down to the lack of understanding. Animosity towards migrants would decrease and people could work together to solve the crisis Europe is currently facing if we develop more ICC in college.

Thanks for stopping by,

Tanya