Treffer: World Language Communities of Practice: Bridging Universities with Internationalization at Home

This article explores how world language communities of practice advance internationalization at home on a university campus through qualitative case study research. These communities exemplify a multidimensional approach to global engagement, blending global perspectives with the local campus through non-formal and cross-cultural language initiatives. One specific program, the World Language and Culture Program (WLCP) served as the focal point of investigation. Participants included 15 WLCP teachers, international students, scholars and community members located on a university campus in the United States Rocky Mountain Region. The community of practice framework was used to examine the program. Data collection included interviews with WLCP teachers, participant observations of classes and analysis of program documents. The analysis employed a case-by-case approach focusing on each WLCP teacher as a distinct case. Findings suggest that WLCP teachers play a critical role in promoting intercultural competence and enhancing the visibility and active involvement of the international campus community. Implications indicate that the WLCP is a bridge between local and international campus communities, creating a space for cultural exchange and learning beyond traditional classroom settings. Non-formal initiatives like the WLCP highlight how leveraging the diverse experiences, languages and cultures of international communities can enhance internationalization at home.

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