Research main areas

1. Intercultural communicative competence in the foreign language and translation classroom

Lead researcher: CLOUET, RICHARD

Summary: This line of research focuses on the development of intercultural competence in the foreign language, translation, and interpreting classroom. Intercultural competence is a key competence, but also a defining value that opens many opportunities for cooperation and understanding between different cultures in the 21st century. The fact that languages cannot be separated from their social and cultural contexts of use is widely recognised nowadays. In addition, for the last decade, intercultural language learning has been highlighted as a main objective of language acquisition. In the translation and interpreting classroom, the development of intercultural competence linked to mediation competence is also a key aspect of the training of future professionals. Intercultural communication implies a back-and-forth movement across languages and cultures, a development of an understanding of one’s own language and culture in relation to a second one. This research includes three perspectives: a theoretical approach through a comprehensive review of the literature in the field of culture in language, translation and interpreting teaching, intercultural communication competence (ICC), and intercultural learning and teaching; the creation of material (especially in online environments); the elaboration of a framework for designing a curriculum for intercultural language learning and cultural mediation. The main objectives are: (1) to investigate the role of culture in the teaching of foreign languages and particularly the interrelationship of language and culture in the process of learning/teaching foreign languages, translation and interpreting in our increasingly multicultural societies; (2) to do a needs analysis with both students and teachers in the classroom; (3) to create online material that fosters self-study and the acquisition of ICC.
Keywords: Applied Linguistics, EFL/ESP, translation, intercultural communication, intercultural competence

L2. Language learning and motivation, ubiquitous knowledge and international communication

Lead researcher: GARCÍA SÁNCHEZ, SORAYA

Summary: This research line focuses on fostering global knowledge acquisition and the enhancement of 21st-century communicative skills in foreign languages, and especially in English as a Lingua Franca or the international language of communication among different cultures, through collaborative ubiquitous learning environments (ULE/COIL). These environments, accessible anywhere and anytime, are supported by ubiquitous mobile devices and digital resources to meet the real and professional needs of higher education students, who are active participants in their learning process. U-learning is supported by the appropriate use of Information and Communication Technologies, (ICTs), Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL), Mobile-Assisted Language Learning (MALL), Open Access Resources (OAR), collaborative and independent learning and the combination of formal and informal learning. This approach enables lifelong learners to generate multimodal knowledge, even through Story-Based Learning (SBL), enabling them to create, debate, develop and enhance their linguistic and communicative skills, and adapt to the evolving demands of the 21st-century professional landscape, not just as university students but as lifelong language learners. Additionally, this research line delves into understanding L2 language learning motivation in relation to several complex factors intrinsic to individuals and their contexts, and of vision as a powerful tool to enhance individuals’ life capital. 

Keywords: Applied Linguistics, EFL/ESP/ELF, CALL-MALL, Ubiquitous teaching-learning, Collaborative Learning, L2 language learning motivation