Despite the increasing diversification of U.S. higher education, without
intentional curricular planning by faculty, international students may
not experience intercultural interactions due to varying degrees of
disinterest, discomfort, or anxiety--and the interactions they do have
may be superficial. These challenges could be potentially mitigated by
an intentional curriculum that complements and enhances English language
instruction, such as Intercultural Skills in Action.
Although traditional ESL/EFL textbooks have primarily introduced
cultural topics at a knowledge level only, this textbook is designed to
create meaningful opportunities for students to reflect on and practice
intercultural skills in ways that are relatable in their daily lives and
that can lead to a more satisfying U.S. academic experience.
Each unit opens with a discovery activity that serves as a springboard
for the unit and introduces the topic in an engaging way. Chapters
feature academic content that expands knowledge of intercultural skills,
plus opportunities for students to pause and reflect on how to apply
what they are learning to their own intercultural experiences. The
activities ask students to respond with short written reflections and
practice oral skills through discussion in pairs and small groups. Each
unit closes with an activity that requires students to use higher-order
thinking skills to create, evaluate, and/or analyze cultural information
gathered from college and university settings in the form of surveys,
interviews, observations, or internet research and then report on what
they have learned.
The intended audiences for this book are international students studying
in IEPs, in university bridge or pathway programs, or at colleges and
universities in the United States. It may also be used by new-student
orientation programs or by student services offices that provide
intercultural training for students, staff, and faculty who work with
international students.
