Developing Global Competence in World Language Education: A Four-Step Framework for Success

This book presents a four-step framework to help English as a world language (EWL) learners successfully develop global competence, which is defined as the skills, values, and behaviors that prepare young people to thrive in diverse environments. The book showcases practical methods and strategies supported by autoethnography and empirical studies to detail the four elements of the framework towards developing global competence: English language proficiency, cross-cultural knowledge, adopting flexibility in oral communication, and embracing values beyond our horizons. While the English language and culture provide essential input for effective communication, developing flexibility in communication styles and viewing conflict as an opportunity for growth can help L2 learners navigate intercultural encounters more effectively and achieve cross-cultural adaptation. This text will be beneficial to language learners, intercultural communication majors, researchers, and educators in TESOL/EFL/ESL programs, as well as in-service teachers of English language learners (ELLs).

Soyhan Egitim, EdD, has lived and worked in multicultural societies, including Turkey, where he is originally from, Canada, and Japan. Currently, he serves as an associate professor in the Faculty of Global and Regional Studies at Toyo University, where he teaches English language courses and global competence seminars.

Seiko Harumi, PhD, has lived and worked in Japan and the UK as a second/foreign language teacher of English and Japanese and an academic at secondary and tertiary levels. She is currently a Senior Lecturer in Japanese and Applied Linguistics (Education) at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, where she teaches Japanese language courses.