ABSTRACT
Intercultural group work might be the foremost means through which international education can fulfil its promise of deep, transformational learning in conjunction with enhanced employability. Yet students struggle to realise the benefits of working in diverse groups and teams, often resisting the challenges that the work entails. An approach is called for that invites them to focus on the process of group work from an interactional perspective and helps them reflect on the impact of their own communicative practices. This chapter describes how theoretical insights from applied linguistics and intercultural communication were employed to develop an e-course that addresses some of the more ingrained ideas about unequal participation in teamwork. Drawing on analyses of interaction and insights from student researchers, four core components of team communication that have the greatest potential to hinder or promote effective group work were identified and developmental activities designed around them. The combined resource has helped students across disciplines and at different levels to experience group work as a valuable learning opportunity, encouraging them to reflect critically on their experiences and providing an international dimension to their learning.
