Intercultural competence

Language is a bridge between cultures as well as a tool for communication.  The fact that our globalised world facilitates exchange and mobility, learners tend to belong to  different ethnic, cultural, religious and linguistic backgrounds.  As a result, the question of language and plurilingual competence comes into play. The Council of Europe addresses the language question openly:

         "Language  learning  helps  learners  to  avoid  stereotyping  individuals, to develop                             curiosity and openness to others  and to discover other cultures. Language learning

           helps them to see that interaction with individuals having different social identities

           and cultures is an enriching experience” (2008, p. 16).

The objectives of teaching should include intercultural  and not only linguistic competences. In other words, learners should learn how to communicate successfully with people of different cultures and develop certain skills that will enable them to communicate with their peers in an effective way without offending anybody and being respectful of and tolerant towards each other. Indeed the challenge faced by teachers today is to ensure that these goals are met.

                       

References

Council of Europe (2008) White Paper on Intercultural Dialogue. ‘Living Together as Equals in Dignity’. Strasbourg: Council of Europe.(2007/C287/01 – 16 November 2007). Brussels; European Union.