ABSTRACT
Classrooms in many nations around the world are becoming increasingly multicultural in composition whilst encountering an array of social and politically influenced concerns. Increased movement of people across borders, freedom of personal and cultural expression, financial concerns, and curriculum debates, all contribute to communication concerns and potential conflicts in the classroom. This chapter centres on the intercultural communication challenges that many regular classroom teachers encounter today. As English is the dominant language in the USA, the focus is on the general teacher’s work with English language learners. The authors investigate the history, critical knowledge, and essential concepts in communication which may affect the ability of teachers to understand and work with these students. In particular, attention is drawn to vital skills such as shared meaning, intercultural relationship building, and identity development. This chapter argues that teachers must be intercultural leaders and skilled intercultural communicators. They must create communities whereby all students can draw on the strengths of their cultural background and native languages to maintain their cultural identities, to learn, and to feel truly welcomed and honoured in the classroom.
