Intercultural Communicative Competence: Beliefs and Practices of Adult English as a Second Language Instructors

Authors

  • Celeste Bickley University of Alberta
  • Marian J. Rossiter University of Alberta
  • Marilyn L. Abbott University of Alberta

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11575/ajer.v60i1.55810

Keywords:

intercultural communicative competence, ESL, pedagogy, Mots clés, compétence communicative interculturelle, ALS, pédagogie

Abstract

Effective and appropriate communication is critical for the successful integration of newcomers in Canada. In this paper, we describe the intercultural communicative competence beliefs and practices of 70 adult English as a second language (ESL) instructors. Responses to an online survey indicated a strong belief in the value of integrating intercultural communicative competence into their instruction; however, instructors’ reported classroom practices revealed that culture was addressed in varying degrees and that intercultural communicative competence was not systematically developed. Findings suggest that enhanced instructor education, appropriate materials development, and research investigating the effective pedagogical development of intercultural communicative competence in the language learning classroom are needed.

 

La communication efficace et appropriée est critique pour une intégration réussie des nouveaux arrivants au Canada. Dans cet article, nous décrivons les croyances et les pratiques relatives à la compétence communicative interculturelle de 70 enseignants d’anglais langue seconde aux adultes. D’après leurs réponses à un sondage en ligne, les enseignants croient fermement en la valeur de l’intégration de la compétence communicative interculturelle  dans leur pédagogie; toutefois, les commentaires des enseignants portant sur leur pratiques en salle de classe indiquent qu’ils traitent la culture à des degrés variables et qu’ils ne développent pas de la compétence communicative interculturelle systématiquement. Les résultats portent à croire qu’il faudrait offrir une formation accrue aux enseignants, développer du matériel approprié et entreprendre de la recherche traitant du développement efficace de la compétence communicative interculturelle dans les cours de langue.

 

 

 

Author Biographies

Celeste Bickley, University of Alberta

Celeste Bickley graduated from the University of Alberta with a MEd in TESL. She taught in the LINC program at NorQuest College in Edmonton for four years prior to moving abroad. She is currently teaching EFL at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman.


Marian J. Rossiter, University of Alberta

Marian J. Rossiter is Associate Professor and Coordinator of the TESL program, Department of Educational Psychology, University of Alberta.

Marilyn L. Abbott, University of Alberta

Marilyn L. Abbott is Associate Professor in the TESL program, Department of Educational Psychology, University of Alberta.

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Published

2014-12-18

How to Cite

Bickley, C., Rossiter, M. J., & Abbott, M. L. (2014). Intercultural Communicative Competence: Beliefs and Practices of Adult English as a Second Language Instructors. Alberta Journal of Educational Research, 60(1), 135–160. https://doi.org/10.11575/ajer.v60i1.55810

Issue

Vol. 60 No. 1 (2014): Spring

Section

ARTICLES

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