Intercultural awareness: modelling an understanding of cultures in intercultural communication through English as a lingua franca

Abstract The use of English as a global lingua franca (ELF) raises challenges concerning how we understand the relationship between languages and cultures in intercultural communication. In the dynamic contexts of ELF this relationship needs to be viewed as situated and emergent entailing a new approach to understanding intercultural competence in intercultural communication. This paper offers the concept of intercultural awareness as a model of the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to communicate through English in diverse global contexts. Data will be presented illustrating how different elements of the model can be utilised in understanding intercultural communication through English.