Intercultural Communication in Education: An Interdisciplinary Conceptual Framework for the Analysis of Emerging Global Challenges

Abstract

In the context of intensified mobility, accelerated digitalization, and the diversification of educational spaces, intercultural communication has become a key competence for the effective functioning of contemporary education systems. This study proposes an interdisciplinary conceptual framework, situated at the intersection of communication sciences, pedagogy, sociology, and cultural studies, for analyzing emerging global challenges in education. The approach aims, on the one hand, to clarify fundamental concepts – interculturality, intercultural competence, digitally mediated communication – and, on the other hand, to investigate how these can be integrated into current teaching practices.

The paper highlights the role of intercultural communication in managing cultural diversity, preventing symbolic conflicts, and fostering inclusive, student-centered education. At the same time, it examines the implications of new technologies and artificial intelligence on educational communication processes, emphasizing both the opportunities and risks generated by global digital environments. The proposed approach supports the need to reconceptualize pedagogical discourse and teacher training towards the development of extended intercultural literacy.
By integrating theoretical and applied perspectives, the study contributes to outlining a relevant analytical model for understanding and managing contemporary educational challenges, offering directions for educational policies and teaching practices adapted to the current global context.