Intercultural Communication in Business Schools: What we can Teach and how we can Evaluate

The teaching of intercultural communication in business schools has relied quite extensively on the theoretical model developed by Geert Hofstede and his followers. While Hofstede's dimensions provide clear labels and an apparatus which can be used in the explanation of situations of intercultural conflict, overemphasis on labels can distract one's attention from the fact that “intercultural communication” is first and foremost a form of communication which, in order to be efficient, has to observe certain rules. This article argues in favour of a return to a discourse-based approach in the teaching of intercultural communication; it also pleads for the development of students’ critical thinking and for their involvement in the learning process by making self-evaluation a part of their learning path.