An Appropriate Model of Intercultural Communication Competence Development for Foreign Language Teachers at Guangxi University of Foreign Languages, China
##plugins.themes.bootstrap3.article.main##
##plugins.themes.bootstrap3.article.sidebar##
Published
Dec 30, 2025
Abstract
This study aims to (1) investigate the current and expected levels of intercultural communication competence (ICC) of foreign language teachers at Guangxi University of Foreign Languages (GUFL); and (2) develop an appropriate model for enhancing their ICC. The results revealed significant gaps between current and expected ICC levels of GUFL Foreign Language Teachers across core competency dimensions, with notable discrepancies between teacher self-assessments and student evaluations. Exploratory factor analysis refined the theoretical framework, yielding a five-dimensional structure that integrates “Awareness & Attitudes,” derived from the teacher data, and “Skills & Behavioral Adaptation,” from the student data. The largest gaps were identified in skills and behavioral adaptation. The resulting Dual-Perspective Integrated Intercultural Communication Competence Development Model emphasizes metacognitive reconstruction, behavioral adaptation, knowledge externalization, resource combination, stakeholder integration, and dual-perspective integration. By integrating knowledge management theory with intercultural competency development, the proposed model provides a systematic, innovative, and actionable pathway for improving teachers’ ICC, which is both theoretically sound and contextually grounded. It demonstrates the potential to enhance ICC through structured, reflective, and behavior-oriented activities aligned with institutional and regional needs.
Downloads
Download data is not yet available.
##plugins.themes.bootstrap3.article.details##
Keywords
Intercultural Communication Competence, Model Development, Foreign Language Teachers, SECI Model, Higher Education
Supporting Agencies
No funding sources declared.
References
American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. (1999). Standards for foreign language learning Preparing for the 21st century. Foreign Language Annals. Available at: https://www.actfl.org/uploads/files/general/Documents/AppendixAStandardsforFLLexecsumm.pdf
An, X. Y. (2013). Empirical research on cross-cultural communication competence of college English teachers with the example of college English teachers in Henan Province. Journal of North China Institute of Water Conservancy and Hydroelectric Power (Social Science), 29(3), 113-115. DOI: https://doi.org/10.13790/j.cnki.issn1008-4444.2013.03.020
Bennett, M. J. (1993). Towards ethnorelativism: A developmental model of intercultural sensitivity. In R. M. Paige (Ed.), Education for the intercultural experience. Intercultural Press. ISBN: 1877864269
Bronfenbrenner, U. (1979). The ecology of human development: Experiments by nature and design. Harvard University Press. ISBN:9780674224575
Byram, M. (1997). Teaching and assessing intercultural communicative competence. Multilingual Matters. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21832/byram0244
Chen, G. M., & Dai, X. D. (Eds.). (2014). Intercultural communication competence: Conceptualization and its development in cultural contexts and interactions. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. ISBN: 9781443854900
Chen, G. M., & Starosta, W. J. (1996). Intercultural communication competence: A synthesis. Annals of the International Communication Association, 19(1), 353-384. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/23808985.1996.11678935
Chen, X. (2023). Research on strategies for improving college students’ intercultural communication competence in the context of globalization. Journal of Hubei Open Vocational College, 36(9), 40-41+44.
Council of Europe. (2001). Common European framework of reference for languages: Learning, teaching, assessment. Cambridge University Press. Available at: https://rm.coe.int/1680459f97
Council of Europe. (2003). Common European framework of reference for languages: Learning, teaching, assessment (Revised ed.). Cambridge University Press. Available at: https://rm.coe.int/common-european-framework-of-reference-for-languages-learning-teaching/16809ea0d4
Deardorff, D. K. (2006). Identification and assessment of intercultural competence as a student outcome of internationalization. Journal of Studies in International Education, 10(3), 241-266. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1028315306287002
DeVellis, R. F. & Thorpe, C. T. (2021). Scale development: Theory and Applications (5th ed.). Sage publications. ISBN: 9781544379340
Fantini, A. E. (2000). A central concern: Developing intercultural competence. SIT Occasional Paper Series, 1(1), 25-42.
Freeman, R. E. (1984). Strategic management: A stakeholder approach. Pitman. ISBN: 9780273019138
Fu, X. Q., & Kulich, S. J. (2015). Foreign Language Education and intercultural communication competence development: A review of China’s ICC model construction in 20 years. Foreign Language Education in China (Quarterly), 8(3), 11-19. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/355187632
Gao, Y. C. (2016). An investigation into the current situation of college students’ intercultural communication competence and countermeasures. Foreign Languages and Their Teaching, 2016(2), 71-78+146. DOI: https://doi.org/10.13458/j.cnki.flatt.004243
Gao, Y. H. (2002). The cultivation of intercultural communication competence: “crossing” and “transcending”. Foreign Languages and Their Teaching, 2002(10), 27-31.
Gu, J. W. (2022). Discussion on integrating intercultural communication in foreign language majors into China’s international communication. Southeast Communication, 2022(12), 111-113. DOI: https://doi.org/10.13556/j.cnki.dncb.cn35-1274/j.2022.12.012
Hammer, M. R., Bennett, M. J., & Wiseman, R. (2003). Measuring intercultural sensitivity: The intercultural development inventory. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 27(4), 421-443. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0147-1767(03)00032-4
Han, X. H. (2014). Cultivating college students’ intercultural communicative competence: From the perspective of college English teachers. Foreign Language Research, 2014(3), 106-110. DOI: https://doi.org/10.16263/j.cnki.23-1071/h.2014.03.030
Huang, H. L., Li, J. H., Deng, Y., Yang, L., & Ma, X. Z. (2020). The current situation and promotion strategies of intercultural communication competence of foreign language teachers in local universities from an international perspective. Modernization of Education, 7(50), 132-135. DOI: https://doi.org/10.16534/j.cnki.cn13-9000/g.2020.1143
Knowles, M. S. (1977). Adult learning processes: Pedagogy and andragogy. Religious Education, 72(2), 202-211. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/0034408770720210
Krejcie, R. V., & Morgan, D. W. (1970). Determining sample size for research activities. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 30(3), 607-610. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/001316447003000308
Lustig, M. W., & Koester, J. (2010). Intercultural competence: Interpersonal communication across cultures (6th ed.). Pearson. ISBN: 9780205595754
Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China. (2020). Opinions on accelerating and expanding the opening up of education in the new era (Government document). Available at: http://www.moe.gov.cn/jyb_xwfb/s5147/202006/t20200623_467784.html
Nonaka, I., & Takeuchi, H. (1995). The knowledge-creating company: How Japanese companies create the dynamics of innovation. Oxford University Press. ISBN: 9780195092691
Peng, R. Z., Fu, R. R., & Wu, W. P. (2020). A study on theoretical and practical models of intercultural foreign language teaching in the new era. Foreign Language World, 2020(4), 45-53.
Perry, L. B., & Southwell, L. (2011). Developing intercultural understanding and skills: Models and approaches. Intercultural Education, 22(6), 453-466. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14675986.2011.644948
Portalla, T., & Chen, G. M. (2010). The development and validation of the intercultural effectiveness scale. Intercultural Communication Studies, 19(3), 21-37. DOI: https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/com_facpubs/17
Spitzberg, B. H., & Changnon, G. (2009). Conceptualizing intercultural competence. In D. K. Deardorff (Ed.), The SAGE handbook of intercultural competence (pp. 2-52). Sage. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4135/9781071872987
Stufflebeam, D. L., & Zhang, G. (2017). The CIPP evaluation model: How to evaluate for improvement and accountability. Guilford Press.
Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Harvard University Press. ISBN: 9780674576285
Wen, Q. F. (1999). Oral English testing and teaching. Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press. ISBN: 9787810466479
Yuan, J. (2021). Constructing a theoretical model of college students’ intercultural communication competence based on the “College English Teaching Guide”. Technology Enhanced Foreign Language Education, 2021(1), 74-78. DOI: https://doi.org/10.16263/j.cnki.23-1071/h.2021.01.011
Zhang, T. Q. & Zhang, N. (2023). Reflections on the path of educational internationalization in private universities in Guangxi. New West, 2023(07), 187-189.
Zhang, Y. (2020). Research on the intercultural communication competence of university teachers in the context of internationalization. Intelligence, 2020(11), 10.
Zhao, Y. (2023). Research on the promotion path of internationalization level of private universities in Guangxi under the Belt and Road Initiative. Science Technology and Economic Market, 2023(6), 152-154.
Zhou, A. A. (2024). Research on the Current Status of Intercultural Teaching Beliefs and Practices among Chinese University English Teachers. Education Advances, 14(3), 881-885. DOI: https://doi.org/10.12677/ae.2024.143458
Zhong, H., Bai, Q. H., & Fan, W. W. (2013). A pilot study on constructing a self-assessment scale for Chinese college students’ intercultural communication competence. Foreign Language World, 2013(3), 47-56.
Zhong, H., & Fan, W. W. (2013). A theoretical framework for constructing an instrument to measure Chinese college students’ intercultural communication competence. China Foreign Language Education, 6(3), 19-28+73.
Zhuang, Z. X., Han, T. L., Xie, Y., Yan, K., Liu, H. C., & Sun, Y. (2011). Reflections on the cultivation of internationalized and innovative foreign language talents. Foreign Language World, 2011(6), 71-78.
An, X. Y. (2013). Empirical research on cross-cultural communication competence of college English teachers with the example of college English teachers in Henan Province. Journal of North China Institute of Water Conservancy and Hydroelectric Power (Social Science), 29(3), 113-115. DOI: https://doi.org/10.13790/j.cnki.issn1008-4444.2013.03.020
Bennett, M. J. (1993). Towards ethnorelativism: A developmental model of intercultural sensitivity. In R. M. Paige (Ed.), Education for the intercultural experience. Intercultural Press. ISBN: 1877864269
Bronfenbrenner, U. (1979). The ecology of human development: Experiments by nature and design. Harvard University Press. ISBN:9780674224575
Byram, M. (1997). Teaching and assessing intercultural communicative competence. Multilingual Matters. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21832/byram0244
Chen, G. M., & Dai, X. D. (Eds.). (2014). Intercultural communication competence: Conceptualization and its development in cultural contexts and interactions. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. ISBN: 9781443854900
Chen, G. M., & Starosta, W. J. (1996). Intercultural communication competence: A synthesis. Annals of the International Communication Association, 19(1), 353-384. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/23808985.1996.11678935
Chen, X. (2023). Research on strategies for improving college students’ intercultural communication competence in the context of globalization. Journal of Hubei Open Vocational College, 36(9), 40-41+44.
Council of Europe. (2001). Common European framework of reference for languages: Learning, teaching, assessment. Cambridge University Press. Available at: https://rm.coe.int/1680459f97
Council of Europe. (2003). Common European framework of reference for languages: Learning, teaching, assessment (Revised ed.). Cambridge University Press. Available at: https://rm.coe.int/common-european-framework-of-reference-for-languages-learning-teaching/16809ea0d4
Deardorff, D. K. (2006). Identification and assessment of intercultural competence as a student outcome of internationalization. Journal of Studies in International Education, 10(3), 241-266. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1028315306287002
DeVellis, R. F. & Thorpe, C. T. (2021). Scale development: Theory and Applications (5th ed.). Sage publications. ISBN: 9781544379340
Fantini, A. E. (2000). A central concern: Developing intercultural competence. SIT Occasional Paper Series, 1(1), 25-42.
Freeman, R. E. (1984). Strategic management: A stakeholder approach. Pitman. ISBN: 9780273019138
Fu, X. Q., & Kulich, S. J. (2015). Foreign Language Education and intercultural communication competence development: A review of China’s ICC model construction in 20 years. Foreign Language Education in China (Quarterly), 8(3), 11-19. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/355187632
Gao, Y. C. (2016). An investigation into the current situation of college students’ intercultural communication competence and countermeasures. Foreign Languages and Their Teaching, 2016(2), 71-78+146. DOI: https://doi.org/10.13458/j.cnki.flatt.004243
Gao, Y. H. (2002). The cultivation of intercultural communication competence: “crossing” and “transcending”. Foreign Languages and Their Teaching, 2002(10), 27-31.
Gu, J. W. (2022). Discussion on integrating intercultural communication in foreign language majors into China’s international communication. Southeast Communication, 2022(12), 111-113. DOI: https://doi.org/10.13556/j.cnki.dncb.cn35-1274/j.2022.12.012
Hammer, M. R., Bennett, M. J., & Wiseman, R. (2003). Measuring intercultural sensitivity: The intercultural development inventory. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 27(4), 421-443. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0147-1767(03)00032-4
Han, X. H. (2014). Cultivating college students’ intercultural communicative competence: From the perspective of college English teachers. Foreign Language Research, 2014(3), 106-110. DOI: https://doi.org/10.16263/j.cnki.23-1071/h.2014.03.030
Huang, H. L., Li, J. H., Deng, Y., Yang, L., & Ma, X. Z. (2020). The current situation and promotion strategies of intercultural communication competence of foreign language teachers in local universities from an international perspective. Modernization of Education, 7(50), 132-135. DOI: https://doi.org/10.16534/j.cnki.cn13-9000/g.2020.1143
Knowles, M. S. (1977). Adult learning processes: Pedagogy and andragogy. Religious Education, 72(2), 202-211. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/0034408770720210
Krejcie, R. V., & Morgan, D. W. (1970). Determining sample size for research activities. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 30(3), 607-610. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/001316447003000308
Lustig, M. W., & Koester, J. (2010). Intercultural competence: Interpersonal communication across cultures (6th ed.). Pearson. ISBN: 9780205595754
Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China. (2020). Opinions on accelerating and expanding the opening up of education in the new era (Government document). Available at: http://www.moe.gov.cn/jyb_xwfb/s5147/202006/t20200623_467784.html
Nonaka, I., & Takeuchi, H. (1995). The knowledge-creating company: How Japanese companies create the dynamics of innovation. Oxford University Press. ISBN: 9780195092691
Peng, R. Z., Fu, R. R., & Wu, W. P. (2020). A study on theoretical and practical models of intercultural foreign language teaching in the new era. Foreign Language World, 2020(4), 45-53.
Perry, L. B., & Southwell, L. (2011). Developing intercultural understanding and skills: Models and approaches. Intercultural Education, 22(6), 453-466. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14675986.2011.644948
Portalla, T., & Chen, G. M. (2010). The development and validation of the intercultural effectiveness scale. Intercultural Communication Studies, 19(3), 21-37. DOI: https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/com_facpubs/17
Spitzberg, B. H., & Changnon, G. (2009). Conceptualizing intercultural competence. In D. K. Deardorff (Ed.), The SAGE handbook of intercultural competence (pp. 2-52). Sage. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4135/9781071872987
Stufflebeam, D. L., & Zhang, G. (2017). The CIPP evaluation model: How to evaluate for improvement and accountability. Guilford Press.
Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Harvard University Press. ISBN: 9780674576285
Wen, Q. F. (1999). Oral English testing and teaching. Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press. ISBN: 9787810466479
Yuan, J. (2021). Constructing a theoretical model of college students’ intercultural communication competence based on the “College English Teaching Guide”. Technology Enhanced Foreign Language Education, 2021(1), 74-78. DOI: https://doi.org/10.16263/j.cnki.23-1071/h.2021.01.011
Zhang, T. Q. & Zhang, N. (2023). Reflections on the path of educational internationalization in private universities in Guangxi. New West, 2023(07), 187-189.
Zhang, Y. (2020). Research on the intercultural communication competence of university teachers in the context of internationalization. Intelligence, 2020(11), 10.
Zhao, Y. (2023). Research on the promotion path of internationalization level of private universities in Guangxi under the Belt and Road Initiative. Science Technology and Economic Market, 2023(6), 152-154.
Zhou, A. A. (2024). Research on the Current Status of Intercultural Teaching Beliefs and Practices among Chinese University English Teachers. Education Advances, 14(3), 881-885. DOI: https://doi.org/10.12677/ae.2024.143458
Zhong, H., Bai, Q. H., & Fan, W. W. (2013). A pilot study on constructing a self-assessment scale for Chinese college students’ intercultural communication competence. Foreign Language World, 2013(3), 47-56.
Zhong, H., & Fan, W. W. (2013). A theoretical framework for constructing an instrument to measure Chinese college students’ intercultural communication competence. China Foreign Language Education, 6(3), 19-28+73.
Zhuang, Z. X., Han, T. L., Xie, Y., Yan, K., Liu, H. C., & Sun, Y. (2011). Reflections on the cultivation of internationalized and innovative foreign language talents. Foreign Language World, 2011(6), 71-78.
How to Cite
Du, X., Panyanuwat, A., Phanphonlakrit, N., & Lomlai, S. (2025). An Appropriate Model of Intercultural Communication Competence Development for Foreign Language Teachers at Guangxi University of Foreign Languages, China. Science Insights Education Frontiers, 31(2), 5073–5098. https://doi.org/10.15354/sief.25.or859
Issue
Section
Original Article
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.