This ground-breaking book is the first to describe in detail how teachers, supported by university educators and education advisers, might plan and implement innovative ideas based on sound theoretical foundations. Focusing on the teaching and learning of intercultural communicative competence in foreign language classrooms in the USA, the authors describe a collaborative project in which graduate students and teachers planned, implemented and reported on units which integrated intercultural competence in a systematic way in classrooms ranging from elementary to university level. The authors are clear and honest about what worked and what didn't, both in their classrooms and during the process of collaboration. This book will be required reading for both scholars and teachers interested in applying academic theory in the classroom, and in the teaching of intercultural competence.

About the Author

Manuela Wagner is Associate Professor of Foreign Language Education and Director of the German Language and Culture Program at the University of Connecticut, USA.

Dorie Conlon Perugini is a Spanish teacher at Naubuc Elementary School in Glastonbury Public Schools, USA.

Michael Byram is Professor Emeritus at the University of Durham, UK and Guest Professor at the University of Luxembourg.

Reviews

This long-awaited book bridges theory to practice in an accessible and engaging way; teachers explain to other teachers how they successfully integrated an intercultural component in their pre-existing unit plans. Each of the eight chapters models the optimal use of authentic cultural contexts and provides theoretical justifications for the inclusion of an intercultural component. This book is a valuable resource for new teachers, veteran teachers, and pre-service teachers.

* Paula Garrett-Rucks, Georgia State University, USA *

This collection provides both inspiration and a practical roadmap for language teachers interested in supporting the development of intercultural competence. Clear, accessible, and focused on classroom practice (yet thoroughly grounded in theory and research), this an invaluable resource for teachers!

* Stacey Margarita Johnson, Vanderbilt University, USA *

This is action research at its finest. Authors who feel like trusted colleagues design lessons and then adapt them in accordance with their observations of student behavior and learning. This work includes open and honest discussions about the triumphs and learning opportunities associated with their research, making suggestions for moving ahead with the project and adapting the project for future iterations.

* Joan Campbell, Lincoln Sudbury Regional High School, USA *

[This book] makes an essential contribution to the field of ICC and language education by systematically applying the theory of ICC to foreign language pedagogy and promotes a greater understanding of the concerns, strategies, and challenges associated with designing and implementing ICC lessons by examining teachers' perspectives as they teach ICC in their language classrooms.

-- Renzhong Peng and Rongrong Fu, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China * International Journal of Communication 14 (2020) *



Book Information
ISBN 9781783098897
Author Manuela Wagner
Format Paperback
Page Count 200
Imprint Multilingual Matters
Publisher Channel View Publications Ltd
Weight(grams) 315g
Dimensions(mm) 234mm * 156mm * 11mm