This is no Theory. The advantages of combining theoretical and practical approaches in intercultural training

Abstract

Within a world that is rich on cultures but as a result grows to be ever more complex, it is important to transfer intercultural skills effectively. The current debate over the lack of practical training in many areas of education inspired this research on the advantages that performative learning brings to intercultural training. Data collected through semi-structured interviews among intercultural learners from different educational backgrounds demonstrate that combining theoretical and practical approaches to intercultural learning results in a rich training experience with strong learning outcomes. The data shows that the strongest responses among intercultural learners stem from the emotional connection towards an experience and the subsequent reflection that transformed the experience into a rich lesson learned. These outcomes offer us the opportunity to critically review current approaches towards intercultural training, and to consider the implementation of a training approach that takes into account the interdisciplinary, hands-on and emotional character of intercultural communication.