The Role of Cultural Awareness in Successful EFL Communication
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58916/jhas.v10i1.693الكلمات المفتاحية:
Cultural Awareness, EFL Communication، Intercultural Competence, Language Learning, Teaching Practices, Qualitative Research, Classroom Observations, Professionalالملخص
This study explores whether cultural awareness has a role in enhancing communication skills among EFL learners. The research explores how cultural knowledge influences intercultural competence and teaching practices and how a poor lack of cultural awareness affects learners. Semi-structured interviews, classroom observations, focus group discussions, and questionnaires collected data from 100 EFL students and teachers in Libya. Results showed an increased development of cultural awareness for these students, who consequently became communicative with great confidence while dealing with various people and improved understanding in dealing with different aspects of cultures embedded in languages. Some obstacles faced include the unavailability of resources, and a problem encountered was the student's reluctance to study topics concerning cultures. In other words, the study strongly recommended inculcating cultural awareness within the EFL curriculum, utilizing authentic materials, and creating space for teacher development. On these grounds, based on the research findings, recommendations were made about creating a culturally inclusive classroom by using interactive activities and assessing student cultural awareness. The findings call for the relevance of cultural awareness when teaching EFL to enhance a student's proficiency in effective communication in today's globalization.
التنزيلات
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