There is no doubt that language and culture are inextricably connected, but how many language teachers really feel qualified to teach intercultural communicative competence and use knowledge of intercultural theory in language classes? Does knowing about the findings of Hofstede and Trompenaars, being able to define low-context cultures, collectivist societies etc. make language classes more meaningful?

Intercultural communicative competence is a combination of knowledge, attitudes and skills. Communication skills are the focus, i.e. using language in intercultural encounters to ensure the best results for all involved. For corporate clients this means doing business well, building successful relationships and negotiating optimal outcomes to ensure ongoing and future business.

Most business today is conducted in English, which means that English language trainers may have a head start over intercultural trainers. The ICE Train-the-Trainer course uses language trainers’ skills and experience, combining these with the relevant intercultural components to show how language training can best meet the demands of intercultural communication.

International English – what is it?

English is no longer the sole domain of the native speaker, whether British, American, Indian or whatever. Many learners deal with speakers of languages other than English, whose English is influenced by their own languages. This makes it no less suitable for intercultural encounters. Which English is used in international encounters? How important is grammatical correctness? Which mistakes count? A common understanding of the language used needs to be established before real negotiation starts as it is the use of language which will determine the success or failure of the relationship.

The ICE Train-the-Trainer course explores these issues and qualifies trainers to find the answers as well as providing material to deal with the role of English in international business. Should you want to know more about the ICE Train-the-trainer course you'll find the necessary information here.

Intercultural communicative competence: if it can be defined it can be tested.

The Certificate in Intercultural Competence – ICE has been developed by a team of elc testing experts in cooperation with the Chamber of Industry and Commerce in Saarland, using the Council of Europe’s Manual - Relating Language Examinations to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.The focus lies on interculturally appropriate communication skills in English. Extensive pre-testing was part of the development. The test is administered by elc in cooperation with several educational institutions. The ICE Train-the-Trainer course qualifies trainers to act as examiners in the Oral Examination for the Certificate in Intercultural Competence in English.You can find more information here.