Communicator status and expectations in intercultural communication: Implications for language learning in a multicultural community

Abstract

This report examined the roles of native and non‐native speakers of English as participants in a multicultural community and the expectations that members of these groups hold toward each other and toward intercultural interactions. A qualitative analysis of interview data from college students (N= 35) indicated associations between low impressions of competency and native language status. The comments from the interviews also provided little evidence of students’ willingness to engage in intercultural interactions despite expressions of support for multiculturalism and diversity. The implications of reward value and communicator status in a multicultural community are discussed.