Enhancing Global Leadership Education through English Language Learning Partnerships

Abstract

Taking a relational and experiential approach to leadership education, an innovative partnership was developed between an undergraduate global leadership course and an on-campus English Language Learning institute. Instructors conducted a co-curricular global leadership workshop to guide both American and international students' (n=18) intercultural interactions into impactful experiences of self-awareness, understanding, and intercultural communication competence. Workshop surveys were distributed to more appropriately evaluate the objectives of the workshop, gain participant insights, and provide recommendations for future workshops. Participants left the workshop with an understanding and valuing of intercultural relationships, how to effectively communicate in intercultural teams, how to successfully adapt in global contexts, and an increased confidence to lead globally. Recommendations of this pilot study provide further insight for future global leadership workshop initiatives, partnerships, and curriculum.

Realizing the Potential of International Education in Leadership Learning

“…In addition to promoting international students’ leadership development, leadership programming can also provide opportunities for interactions between international and domestic students (Bletscher, Alharbi, & Kellerman, ). Structured, guided programming can help students overcome the barriers that often prevent them from interacting across cultures—especially issues of language, culture, and finding common interests (Glass et al., ; Lehto et al., ).…”