Cultural intelligence as a factor in the success of Iranian sports supervisors: The role of English language proficiency

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the factors of English language proficiency as a predictor of cultural intelligence (Earley, Ang. 2003) of Iranian sports supervisors.

Phenomenological method was used in this study with a qualitative approach (Holloway & Todres, 2003). The research population, 12 male and female sports supervisors who had sent their athletes to international competitions at least once, were selected purposefully and homogeneously. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect information. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis method (Braun & Clarke, 2006). Classification and coding were done under the supervision of an expert. 

The factors of English language proficiency were identified and formulated in the form of three overarching themes "structural", "individual" and "environmental". The overarching theme of "structural factors" was identified the basic themes; holding English language classes for sports supervisors, using translators in the conversations of sports events, getting help from the international relations experts of the federations in facing new cultural situations and themes of the organization; training, communication through a translator and exchange of information. The overarching theme of "individual factors" was formed the basic themes; the use of key words in the language of the host community during conversations, an interest in maintaining communication with foreign counterparts during Sports events in intercultural sports environments, expressing the needs and requests of the team in international spaces through mastering the English language and organizational themes; verbal behavior, communication and purposeful interactions. The overarching theme of "factors Environment" including basic themes; attending sports meetings and events and the need to establish intercultural communication with other sports communities, conducting administrative correspondence with sports institutions in English and announcing rules, approvals and changes of global sports events in English and organizational themes; exchange of cultures, compliance with the rules and knowledge of the rules.

Overall, the findings showed that one of the components of cultural intelligence, especially in intercultural situations, is mastery of the English language. Mastering the English language is the main factor for establishing effective communication in intercultural spaces. The current research suggests giving importance to the issue of mastering the English language in order to achieve greater success of Iranian sports supervisors in international arenas.