Dear ICIS members and friends,

This edition of InterCom reminds us of the varied contributions that are welcomed and enjoyed within the diversity of our community—diversity of background, diversity of interest, diversity of experience, diversity of practice, to name but a few. It is my hope that we will read and digest each of the articles presented here and be both inspired and challenged to think about our own contexts of practice and the environments we create and foster, the opportunities we encourage and how we each can make improvements in the way we present and share information within our spheres of influence—with students, colleagues and community members.

We have an exciting year ahead of us as an interest section. There is momentum building for our area of interest and practice! Together, let us do everything we can to support this surge and help to shape it in a way that honors the diversity we represent. In order to do this successfully, we need our varied voices to be heard. Incorporate concepts of intercultural communication into your classrooms, conduct timely relevant research and study, share reflective narratives as well as research and practical advice with our membership, take part in a conference through presentation or attendance. Among others, the Sixth International Conference of English as a Lingua Franca will bring the focus “Intercultural Communication: New Perspectives From ELF” to its conference in Rome, Italy, in September and there is an IC-themed international conference in the works at the English Language Center at Shantou University, in Guangdong, China, in spring 2014.

Keep us informed. Tell us what is important to you in your current research and practice. Tell us what you think of our latest articles and how they inspire or encourage you in your context. This is your newsletter, and it helps shape your interest section. Be involved and become an active contributor. Our next deadline will be September 15, 2013, for an October issue of InterCom. Don’t wait to hear back from your TESOL 2014 proposals—share with your membership!

Enjoy the read!

Amy

Amy Alice Chastain
Editor, InterCom 2012–2014