A Probe into Cultivation of Intercultural Communication Competence in Business English Learning

Abstract

This paper starts with an introduction of the importance of the current need for the development of intercultural communication competence. That is, with the development of global economy, intercultural communication becomes increasingly significant and frequent today. China, as a member of WTO, gets involved in more communications with other countries. More talents who have a good command of English knowledge and intercultural communication competence are in great need for China. Thus students majoring in Business English are faced with both great opportunities and challenges. They should not only understand what is culture and intercultural communication, but also master intercultural communication strategies and improve intercultural communication competence in their study. Armed with these essential competences, they can overcome culture barriers and reduce culture conflicts on international business occasions. This paper introduces the definition of culture and intercultural communication and comes up with three suggested ways to foster Chinese learners to develop their intercultural communication competence in Business English learning. It analyzes the importance and necessity of business communication from a global perspective, aiming to help the Business English learners to strengthen the awareness of intercultural communication, cultivate the strategies of intercultural communication and improve their communication competence.