Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) Special Issue on Communication and Language in Virtual Spaces, January 2023     Pp.157-164
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/comm1.12

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  Developing Learners’ Intercultural Communicative Competence through Online
Exchanges: Case of Third-Year Students in Algeria 

Nadia LOUAHALA
Department of English Language
Faculty of Letters, Languages, and Arts
University Djillali Liabes of Sidi Bel Abbes, Algeria
Email: louahalanadia@yahoo.fr

Received:10/18/2022         Accepted:12/06/2022                 Published:01/20/2023

Abstract:
Foreign Language Education generally aims to produce intercultural speakers who develop relevant language skills necessary for communication and work. In fact, online exchanges provide an excellent opportunity to enhance learners’ analytical and critical thinking skills. They can enormously help develop learners’ intercultural awareness making them ready to accept cultural differences. This paper examines the relevance of using virtual or online exchange development in language teaching and learning, focusing principally on virtual task categories and the use of Information Communication Technologies, which has become an everyday reality of the 21^st century. It seeks to answer the following research questions: Do online exchanges help to develop learners’ intercultural communicative competence? Are online communication tools effective for promoting the teaching and learning processes? A student’s questionnaire and semi-structured interviews with teachers are adopted as instruments to collect the necessary data. The participants are undergraduate third-year students and EFL university teachers from the Department of English Language at University Djillali Liabes of Sidi Bel Abbes (Algeria). Findings showed positive feedback from the students toward using online exchanges to foster intercultural competencies. They also revealed that teachers know the importance of online tools when teaching cultural issues. Thus, it is worth noting that Information Communication Technologies and online interactions contribute significantly to creating spaces where learners, particularly  develop cultural tolerance, improve communication, exchange and promote knowledge besides becoming self-autonomous.
Keywords: EFL learners, exchanges, intercultural competence, online learning and teaching, technologies

Cite as: LOUAHALA, N. (2023). Developing Learners’ Intercultural Communicative Competence through Online Exchanges: Case of Third-Year Students in Algeria Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) Special Issue on Communication and Language in Virtual Spaces, January 2023: 157-164.  DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/comm1.12

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