Successive models of second language acquisition have expanded on Chomsky's notion of linguistic competence, or grammar, to focus on communicative competence, or interactional skills, and then to intercultural competence, a broader understanding of other speakers in cross-cultural exchanges.

Kramsch's intercultural stance involves

a decentred perspective that goes beyond comprehending the surface meaning of words to discovering the logic of their interlocutors' utterances.  

(Ware & Kramsch, 2005)

This type of reflection helps learners unpack their own cultural assumptions in order to  occupy a "third place" or  take an intercultural stance representing a "third culture" (Kramsch, 1993).

Activity

Classroom illustration: Teaching philosophy