Abstract

The development of intercultural competence is the avowed purpose of teachers/trainers in commercial training and further and higher education, and yet the approaches are often seen as different and even in opposition. This book shows that there is complementarity in ‘education’ and ‘training’ in theory and in practice. The first group of chapters focuses on analysis of intercultural experience and the competence needed to be successful in that experience. The following chapters describe the practice of courses in both commercial and educational contexts where it becomes evident that ‘education’ and ‘training’ are indeed complementary without denying the tensions which exist and the expectations different learner groups may have. This book is thus not simply another discussion of the theory of interculturality but a juxtaposition of theory and practice to the benefit of both.

A wide variety of contexts from HE, initial teacher education, intercultural training, SMEs, management contexts, NHS and workplace diversity training are all represented here and this broader cultural and social base to the volume is one of its particular strengths. Often the discourse gets ghettoized into one of those listed and it is exciting to see these brought together so well.

This anthology is another major achievement from the ‘Durham team’ and is by far their most honest and balanced volume in terms of theory, research and practice. The contributions, skillfully weaved together, offer thought-provoking and inspiring coverage of many untrodden paths of the vital scholarship on intercultural competence. A must read!

Anwei Feng is Reader in education at University of Wales, Bangor and has research interests in intercultural studies and bilingualism in education.

Mike Byram is Professor Emeritus in Education at the University of Durham with research interest in policy and practice in intercultural education and language teaching.

Mike Fleming is Professor of Education at Durham University with research interests in drama and arts education as well as intercultural education.

Although this book, Becoming Interculturally Competent through Education and Training, is the only book in the series that I have read, if it is indicative of the others in its balance of theory and practice and the depth and honesty of its narrative, I will gladly add the others to my library.