An assessment of cross-cultural demands within present-day foreign language teaching’

Abstract

In recent years, research on inter- & cross-culturality has developed significantly. On the grounds of previous theories - stemming predominantly from sociolinguistics - applied linguists have pointed out the relevance of cross-cultural studies, specifically in the context of the European Union. Foreign language teaching methodologies have become one of the main beneficiaries of such theories - borrowing, chiefly, from sociolinguistics. Drawing from sociology & cross-cultural studies, this article seeks to highlight the importance of paralinguistics in businesslike interaction; it further discusses the necessity of allowing for paralinguistic features in foreign language teaching &, more precisely, in language for business teaching.