Dear Intercultural Communication members,

This issue of InterCom is our Summer 2021 edition! In the midst of summer, we may have the time to rest, reflect, and re-group. We hope this edition will inspire some thoughts for your upcoming fall semester.

This issue includes four pieces that show the diverse work our ICIS members are conducting. First, Jennifer Lacroix briefs us about the inaugural “Lightning Talks” program that featured TESOL doctoral students’ research. Second, Fabiana Stalnaker, a Lightning Talk presenter, examines L2 speaking anxiety as it influences learning outcomes and intercultural communication skills. Third, Quanisha Charles shares with us her experience with rebus puzzles using Conversation Analysis. Dr. Charles’ work sheds light on both our own and our students’ teaching and learning styles. Finally, we have a wonderful video by a rising star and new ICIS member, Ha Nguyen. In this “Member Spotlight,” Ha explains why she joined ICIS and the importance of intercultural competence to her work and to her personally. To continue strengthening our ICIS community, we would like to feature an ICIS member in every newsletter. We invite you to email the ICIS newsletter editors for more information at newsletter.icis.tesol@gmail.com.

As TESOL’s interest section for intercultural communication within the context of language teaching and learning, we believe that a diverse set of voices will enrich our work and our lives. We welcome you to join us as you are able. There are several ways to share and to connect. Once a month we have an informal “Coffee Hour,” offering ICIS members opportunities to meet, connect, and broaden our professional networks. Coffee Hours are Wednesdays or Fridays early afternoon, the third week of a month. Co-Chair Jennifer Lacroix has listed events in her “Letter from the Co-Chair” in this newsletter. Also, you can find our events on our social media channels on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

Another way to connect with ICIS is to submit a piece to the ICIS newsletter. Share your insights, issues or experiences regarding intercultural learning, teaching intercultural competence or cultural exchange in your educational setting. Please see our Call for Submissions for our fall newsletter. The deadline is September 15, 2021. Please email your submissions to newsletter.icis.tesol@gmail.com.

Additionally, you can “Meet Your ICIS Leadership Team” through a brief set of bios. We look forward to working with everyone in the TESOL ICIS community as we explore together the art and science of intercultural learning. Please feel free to contact us with comments, suggestions, or questions.

We hope you enjoy this edition of the ICIS Newsletter. We look forward to hearing from you.

Warm regards,

Leslie Bohon

Josephine Prado

ICIS Newsletter Co-Editors