A Study of Factors Influencing Students’ Intercultural Competence

This study explored the concepts of intercultural competence and cultural intelligence and clarified corresponding terms. Using the Cultural Intelligence Scale (CQS) as an instrument and conducting multiple regression tests, this quantitative research investigated individual scale factors that would influence the intercultural competence of the students who declared an education major or minor in the College of Education within the chosen university. Analysis of the 184 survey responses from an American state University indicated that the independent variables of perceived competence in non-native language or culture, frequency of interaction with people of diverse backgrounds, and teaching experience were significant predictors of pre-service teachers’ levels of intercultural competence.