Developing Intercultural Communicative Competence: A Cornerstone in EMI in-service Training Programmes in Higher Education

Globalisation and technological advances have contributed greatly to increasing mobility in higher education (HE). One of the main stakeholders this process are lecturers, for whom internationalisation is often understood as simply use a lingua franca—usually English—in their teaching (then known English medium instruction, EMI) detriment other key factors such intercultural competence. The present study focuses on analysis specific in-service training module intended develop communicative competence (ICC) group 21 Spanish lecturers working at two public universities. Adopting an empirical approach, we specifically aim contrast participants’ beliefs about own ICC before after taking course. mixed-method data gathering processes were used prior training: questionnaire self-reflection report. results show that participants willing learn but mostly unaware importance ICC. Once trained, many them seem become aware EMI goes beyond language issues there crucial need work component fully HE internationalisation. Furthermore, highlights major changes courses well policies order give presence it should have.