Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) Special Issue on CALL Number 9. July 2023 Pp.18-28
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/call9.2
Using Literary Texts in Developing Intercultural Competence of Foreign English
Language Learners in Virtual Space
Vipin K Sharma
English Language Institute, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
Corresponding author: vksharma@jazanu.edu.sa
Kiran Kumar Kalapala
English Language Institute, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
S.Sreejana
Kumaraguru College of Technology, Coimbatore, India
Narasimha Murthy S V
Department of Languages, Presidency University, Bengaluru, India
Received: 02/11/2023 Accepted: 5/27/2023 Published:07/24/2024
Abstract:
The current study provides a broad overview of intercultural interaction in virtual reality (VR) settings made feasible by technology innovations, cultural components, and the usage of literary texts. The extensive usage of technology and social media by Generation Z molds their individuality and creates a new cultural realm. This study intends to analyze intercultural communication and language use in virtual spaces. It examines how the literary-based-cyber-culture influences, especially Generation Z. Additionally, the study delineates social media and literary texts usage to develop intercultural communication and how the students’ engagement in VR or digital space shapes their perceptions, attitudes, behavior, identities, and culture. A qualitative descriptive technique as a methodological instrument is used to collect information to compare it to other approaches and conceptualize it from the standpoints of different EFL learners. The pedagogical potential of using literary texts in the digital world offers to develop intercultural discourse, foreign language acquisition, and instruction in the context of technology-integrated educational practices in foreign language education. Finally, the study suggests educational institutions and think tanks adopt an innovative and constructive view to improve global acceptance, tolerance, and communication.
Keywords: communication, English as a foreign language, Generation Z, literature, motivation, intercultural
competence, technology-literary-EFL learning, texts, virtual or augmented reality,
Cite as: Sharma, V. K., Kumar, K.K., Sreejana, S., & Murthy, N. S.V. (2023). Using Literary Texts in Developing Intercultural Competence of Foreign English Language Learners in Virtual Space. Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) Special Issue on CALL (9). 18-28.
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/call9.2
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