Introduction to the Special Issue

Claire Kramsch has a long and distinguished career in the field of applied linguistics. This is not the first and nor will it be the last occasion to honour her contribution to the field of language education and applied linguistics more broadly. Yet we are pleased nonetheless to present this collection of essays which pay tribute to the reach of Claire’s scholarship. Claire has authored many texts that serve as key references in intercultural and multilingual research and has developed several seminal concepts that have guided generations of teachers’ and researchers’ thinking and practice. The aim of this special issue is to celebrate Claire’s influence through the voices of a range of scholars whose professional trajectory she has influenced. As well as being an outstanding scholar, Claire’s personable character and lucid, fresh manner of articulation have won her the admiration and affection of all those who have worked alongside her in different capacities, whether as students, colleagues, co-authors, or collaborators.