Intercultural communication students in a public university in Mexico today

Abstract

The article contains the results of a study conducted with a group of students taking intercultural communication courses at the University of Guadalajara in Mexico. The main objective of the article is to analyze the students' perceptions about the development of their intercultural competencies (IC) through the methodology used in the courses in order to propose didactic strategies aimed at improving their skills. The theoretical perspective guiding the study is that of Darla Deardorff, according to whom intercultural competence is developed not only through knowledge and skills but also through interaction. A qualitative methodology was used with an exploratory approach through the use of a survey conducted in September 2022. It was concluded that intercultural learning plays an essential role in the formation of the student body, which in fact proposes changes in the delivery of the course for a better development of practical skills in intercultural interaction. Therefore, it is considered pertinent to modify the contents and methodological strategies in the teaching of the courses, and to carry out further studies to deepen the results obtained in this work, also taking into consideration the perspectives of the personnel involved in the learning process, such as teachers and university authorities.