Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) Volume.7 Number.4 December, 2016 Pp.503-512
DOI: dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol7no4.31
Interculturality in ESP Classrooms: A Contributing Strategy to Meet the Job-Market Expectations
Fatma ZAGHAR
University of Oran 2 – Mohamed Ben Ahmed –
Faculty of Foreign Languages
Department of English
Oran, Algeria
Abstract:
In the present time’s globalized atmosphere, the need for intercultural communicative competence in the workplace runs high. Accordingly, in the area of foreign language education, English teachers need more than ever to incorporate intercultural awareness and cross-cultural understanding in their syllabi. This article reports on a case study that involves the use of many research instruments including questionnaires, classroom observation, and assessment of assignments and exam sheets. This paper tends to suggest a cultural teaching based on standards for intercultural learning elicited from related literature in an English for Specific Purposes (ESP) setting, addressed to English as a Foreign Language (EFL) Master students approaching the end of their course of study and getting ready to enter the world of job-market. It proposes ways of instilling multicultural awareness into these language learners through the implementation of intercultural activities, helping them better understanding diversity and developing positive attitudes in the workplace. The research goals comprise increasing students’ intercultural global awareness, promoting their tolerance, and helping them remedy negative attitudes towards the target culture and other alien cultures. Findings of the study show that the proposed intercultural approach stimulates students’ thinking, helps them better comprehend how to immerse in diverse perspectives on complicated international issues, and how to become global citizens able to deal effectively with multiculturalism in the work environment.
Keywords: ESP teaching, intercultural communicative competence, master students, multiculturalism, workplace
Cite as: ZAGHAR, F. (2016). Interculturality in ESP Classrooms: A Contributing Strategy to Meet the Job-Market Expectations.
Arab World English Journal,7 (4).
DOI: dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol7no4.31