What is Intercultural Competence?
ntercultural competence is an important set of attitudes, knowledge, behaviors and awareness that allow a person to interact effectively with people from other cultural backgrounds. It includes a sense of curiosity about the world and about the behavior and lives of other people, including those who live in your home country.
Here is the definition of Janet Bennett, one of the leading specialists on intercultural communication:
"Intercultural competence: a set of cognitive, affective and behavioral skills that support effective and appropriate interaction in a variety of cultural contexts."
Janet Bennett also identifies three critical areas that are are required:
A Mindset: Knowledge
A Skillset: Skills
A Heartset: Attitudes
Copyright Janet Bennett 2015. www.intercultural.org.
Here is the definition of Janet Bennett, one of the leading specialists on intercultural communication:
"Intercultural competence: a set of cognitive, affective and behavioral skills that support effective and appropriate interaction in a variety of cultural contexts."
Janet Bennett also identifies three critical areas that are are required:
A Mindset: Knowledge
- Cultural self-awareness
- Culture-general knowledge
- Culture-specific knowledge
- Interaction analysis
A Skillset: Skills
- Relationship building skills
- Behavioral skills: listening, problem-solving
- Empathy
- Information gathering skills
A Heartset: Attitudes
- Curiosity
- Cognitive flexibility
- Motivation
- Openmindedness
Copyright Janet Bennett 2015. www.intercultural.org.