English Language Teachers' Intercultural Communication Competence in Teaching English as a Foreign Language in Jordanian Context

Authors

  • Abdelhameed Al Awabdeh

    Department of English Language and Literature, Faculty of Languages, The University of Jordan, Aqaba 77111, Jordan
  • Abdelrazzaq Tahat

    Department of English Language and Literature, Faculty of Languages, The University of Jordan, Aqaba 77111, Jordan
  • Mohammad Albtoush

    Department of English Language and Literature, Faculty of Languages, The University of Jordan, Aqaba 77111, Jordan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i10.10839
Received: 2 July 2025 | Revised: 21 July 2025 | Accepted: 14 August 2025 | Published Online: 15 October 2025

Abstract

Intercultural Communication Competence (ICC) is the apparent goal of an extensive array of educational research in teaching English as a foreign language in the last decade. However, intercultural communication competence has not been scrutinised yet in the Jordanian EFL context. Hence, the aim of this study is to investigate the level of ICC among Jordanian EFL teachers. The study is a mixed-method research design. The sample of the study was 105 EFL teachers. A questionnaire survey and semi-structured interviews were selected randomly. The data were analysed using SPSS 23.0 and thematic analyses to identify the themes and codes that underlie it. The findings showed that teachers develop ICC through comprehension of personal culture, skills of interpreting and relating, and attitudes towards other cultures. Furthermore, the interview findings showed that lack of time, lack of IT support, lack of teaching resources, and the influence of religion and society are the major challenges in teaching ICC. Despite the challenges, teachers recognise the importance of teaching ICC is considered as being fundamental for creating positive interactions in an intercultural context and alter the students' intercultural experiences and their perception of their surroundings. The study recommends curriculum improvements, policy adjustments, and increased professional development opportunities for teachers.

Keywords:

Intercultural Communication Competence (ICC); Teaching English; Challenges; Benefits; EFL; Jordan

References

[1] Hall, E.T., 1959. THE SILENT LANGUAGE. International Journal of Social Psychiatry. 8(1), 71–71. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/002076406100800113

[2] Arasaratnam, L.A., Doerfel, M.L., 2005. Intercultural communication competence: Identifying key components from multicultural perspectives. International Journal of Intercultural Relations. 29(2), 137–163. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2004.04.001

[3] Byram, M., 2021. Teaching and Assessing Intercultural Communicative Competence: Revisited. Multilingual Matters: Bristol, UK. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21832/9781800410251

[4] Byram, M., 2019. Intercultural language teaching in an era of internationalization. In: Romanowski, P., Ewa, B. (Eds.). Advances in educational technologies and instructional design book series. IGI Global Scientific Publishing: New York, NY, USA. pp. 99–120. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-5225-8128-4.ch005

[5] Martin, J.N., 2015. Revisiting intercultural communication competence: Where to go from here. International Journal of Intercultural Relations. 48, 6–8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2015.03.008

[6] Koester, J., Lustig, M.W., 2015. Intercultural communication competence: Theory, measurement, and application. International Journal of Intercultural Relations. 48, 20–21. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2015.03.006

[7] Dai, X., Chen, G.-M., 2014. Intercultural communication competence: Conceptualization and its development in cultural contexts and interactions. Cambridge Scholars Publishing: Cambridge, UK. p. 395.

[8] Byram, M., Holmes, P., Savvides, N., 2013. Intercultural communicative competence in foreign language education: questions of theory, practice and research. The Language Learning Journal. 41(3), 251–253. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09571736.2013.836343

[9] Griffith, R.L., Wolfeld, L., Armon, B.K., et al., 2016. Assessing Intercultural Competence in Higher Education: Existing Research and Future Directions. ETS Research Report Series. 2016(2), 1–44. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ets2.12112

[10] Byram, M., 1997. Teaching and assessing intercultural communicative competence. Multilingual Matters: Bristol, UK. p. 124.

[11] Barker, G.G., 2016. Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Intercultural Communication Competence. Journal of Intercultural Communication Research. 45(1), 13–30. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17475759.2015.1104376

[12] Arasaratnam, L., Banerjee, S., Dembek, K., 2010. The integrated model of intercultural communication competence (IMICC). Australian Journal of Communication. 37(3), 103–116. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/276918095_The_integrated_model_of_intercultural_communication_competence_IMICC_Model_test/citation/download?_tp=eyJjb250ZXh0Ijp7ImZpcnN0UGFnZSI6InB1YmxpY2F0aW9uIiwicGFnZSI6InB1YmxpY2F0aW9uIn19 (cited 12 June 2025).

[13] Byram, M., Gribkova, B., Starkey, H., 2002. Developing the Intercultural Dimension in Language Teaching: a practical introduction for teachers. Available from: https://rm.coe.int/16802fc1c3.(cited 20 May 2025).

[14] Hinkel, E. (Ed.), 2011. Handbook of Research in Second Language Teaching and Learning, 1st ed. Routledge: London, UK. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203836507

[15] Liddicoat, A.J., Scarino, A., 2013. Intercultural Language Teaching and Learning, 1st ed. Wiley: Hoboken, NJ, USA. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118482070

[16] Collier, M.J., 2015. Intercultural communication competence: Continuing challenges and critical directions. International Journal of Intercultural Relations. 48, 9–11. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2015.03.003

[17] Arasaratnam, L.A., 2014. Ten Years of Research in Intercultural Communication Competence (2003 – 2013): A Retrospective. Journal of Intercultural Communication. 14(2), 1–11. DOI: https://doi.org/10.36923/jicc.v14i2.672

[18] Martin, J.N., Nakayama, T.K., 2015. Reconsidering intercultural (communication) competence in the workplace: a dialectical approach. Language and Intercultural Communication. 15(1), 13–28. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14708477.2014.985303

[19] Arasaratnam, L.A., Banerjee, S.C., 2011. Sensation seeking and intercultural communication competence: A model test. International Journal of Intercultural Relations. 35(2), 226–233. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2010.07.003

[20] Lieberman, D.A., Gamst, G., 2015. Intercultural communication competence revisited: Linking the intercultural and multicultural fields. International Journal of Intercultural Relations. 48, 17–19. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2015.03.007

[21] Liddicoat, A.J., 2008. Pedagogical Practice for Integrating the Intercultural in Language Teaching and Learning. Japanese Studies. 28(3), 277–290. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10371390802446844

[22] Chi, R., Suthers, D., 2015. Assessing intercultural communication competence as a relational construct using social network analysis. International Journal of Intercultural Relations. 48, 108–119. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2015.03.011

[23] Kealey, D.J., 2015. Some strengths and weaknesses of 25 years of Research on Intercultural Communication Competence: Personal Reflections. International Journal of Intercultural Relations. 48, 14–16. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2015.03.005

[24] Han, Y., 2013. Research on Fostering Intercultural Communication Competence of Foreign Language Learners. Cross-cultural Communication. 9(1), 5–12. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3968/j.ccc.1923670020130901.2890

[25] Sarwari, A.Q., Abdul Wahab, M.N., 2017. Study of the relationship between intercultural sensitivity and intercultural communication competence among international postgraduate students: A case study at University Malaysia Pahang. Cogent Social Sciences. 3(1), 1310479. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2017.1310479

[26] Ihtiyar, A., Ahmad, F.Sh., 2014. Intercultural Communication Competence as a Key Activator of Purchase Intention. Procedia—Social and Behavioral Sciences. 150, 590–599. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.09.078

[27] Eken, D.T., 2015. Intercultural communicative competence: EFL teachers’ beliefs and practices. Journal of Teaching and Education. 4(3), 63–71. Available from: https://www.universitypublications.net/jte/0403/pdf/R5ME262.pdf (cited 1 March 2025).

[28] Xiaohui, H., Li, S., 2011. Teacher cognition of intercultural communicative competence in the Chinese ELT context. Intercultural Communication Studies. 20(1), 175–192. Available from: https://www.sciltp.com/journals/ics/articles/2011061005 (cited 15 January 2025).

[29] Kiet, H.S.T., 2011. An intercultural perspective on teaching and learning in the Vietnamese EFL classroom. University of Sydney Papers in TESOL, 6. Available from: https://www.sydney.edu.au/content/dam/corporate/documents/faculty-of-arts-and-social-sciences/research/research-centres-institutes-groups/uos-papers-in-tesol/volume-6/article03.pdf (cited 10 December 2024).

[30] Osman, H.A., 2015. Investigating English teachers' perceptions of intercultural communicative competence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [Doctoral Dissertation]. University of San Francisco: San Francisco, CA, USA. pp.30–33.

[31] Ho, T.N., 2015. An exploratory investigation of the practice of assessment for learning in Vietnamese higher education: Three case studies of lecturers’ practice [Doctoral Dissertation]. Queensland University of Technology: Queensland, Australia. Available from: https://eprints.qut.edu.au/91545/ (cited 6 May 2025).

[32] Gong, Y.F., Lai, C., Gao, X.A., 2022. Language teachers’ identity in teaching intercultural communicative competence. Language, Culture and Curriculum. 35(2), 134–150. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/07908318.2021.1954938

[33] Yuan, R., Mak, P., 2018. Reflective learning and identity construction in practice, discourse and activity: Experiences of pre-service language teachers in Hong Kong. Teaching and Teacher Education. 74, 205–214. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2018.05.009

[34] Chen, G., 1990. Intercultural communication competence: Some perspectives of research. Howard Journal of Communications. 2(3), 243–261. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10646179009359718

[35] Tarchi, C., Surian, A., 2022. Promoting intercultural competence in study abroad students. European Journal of Psychology of Education. 37(1), 123–140. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10212-021-00554-0

[36] Cui, Q., 2016. A Study of Factors Influencing Students’ Intercultural Competence. Journal of Language Teaching and Research. 7(3), 433. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17507/jltr.0703.01

[37] Mamman, A., 1995. Expatriates’ Intercultural Effectiveness: Relevant Variables and Implications. Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources. 33(1), 40–59. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/103841119503300103

[38] Shadiev, R., Yu, J., Sintawati, W., 2021. Exploring the Impact of Learning Activities Supported by 360-Degree Video Technology on Language Learning, Intercultural Communicative Competence Development, and Knowledge Sharing. Frontiers in Psychology. 12, 766924. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.766924

[39] Shadiev, R., Wang, X., Huang, Y.-M., 2021. Cross-cultural learning in virtual reality environment: facilitating cross-cultural understanding, trait emotional intelligence, and sense of presence. Educational Technology Research and Development. 69(5), 2917–2936. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-021-10044-1

[40] Almeida, F., 2018. STRATEGIES TO PERFORM A MIXED METHODS STUDY. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.1406214

[41] Groves, R.M., Presser, S., Dipko, S., 2004. The Role of Topic Interest in Survey Participation Decisions. Public Opinion Quarterly. 68(1), 2–31. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/poq/nfh002

[42] Hanson, W.E., Creswell, J.W., Clark, V.L.P., et al., 2005. Mixed methods research designs in counseling psychology. Journal of Counseling Psychology. 52(2), 224–235. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0167.52.2.224

[43] Tsatzali, K., Beazidou, E., Stavropoulou, G., et al., 2025. The development and validation of the intercultural communicative competence evaluation instrument (ICCEI). Cogent Education. 12(1), 2464374. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2025.2464374

[44] Makhmudov, K., 2020. WAYS OF FORMING INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHING. DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals). Available from: https://figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Ways_of_Forming_Intercultural_Communication_in_Foreign_Language_Teaching/12750647/1?file=24127622. (cited 6 May 2025).

[45] Deardorff, D.K., Arasaratnam-Smith, L.A., 2017. Intercultural Competence in Higher Education, 1st ed. Routledge: New York, NY, USA. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315529257

[46] Tran, T.Q., Duong, T.M., 2015. Intercultural language teaching: Rethinking the objectives of English language education in the Vietnamese context. English for specific purposes World. 46, 27–38. Available from: https://web.archive.org/web/20180409235250id_/http://esp-world.info/Articles_46/Thao%20Q%20TRAN%20-%20Tham%20M%20DUONG.pdf. (cited 9 January 2025).

[47] Alakrash, H.M., Razak, N.A., 2020. Redesigning the English classroom towards fourth industrial revolution, are the students motivated. The Asian ESP Journal. 16 (4), 6–21.

[48] Duc Chinh, N., 2013. Cultural Diversity in English Language Teaching: Learners’ Voices. English Language Teaching. 6(4), p1. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5539/elt.v6n4p1

[49] Armnazi, M., Alakrash, H., 2021. Factors Affecting the Application of Communicative Language Teaching CLT in Syrian Schools. TESOL and Technology Studies. 2(1), 1–14. DOI: https://doi.org/10.48185/tts.v2i1.143

[50] Tran, T.Q., Duong, T.M., 2018. The effectiveness of the intercultural language communicative teaching model for EFL learners. Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education. 3(1), 6. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40862-018-0048-0

[51] Bastos, M., Araújo E Sá, H., 2015. Pathways to teacher education for intercultural communicative competence: teachers’ perceptions. The Language Learning Journal. 43(2), 131–147. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09571736.2013.869940

[52] Danby, S., Thompson, C., Theobald, M., et al., 2012. Children’s strategies for making friends when starting school. Australasian Journal of Early Childhood. 37(2), 63–71. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/183693911203700210

[53] Hue, M., Kennedy, K.J., 2014. Creating culturally responsive environments: ethnic minority teachers’ constructs of cultural diversity in Hong Kong secondary schools. Asia Pacific Journal of Education. 34(3), 273–287. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02188791.2013.823379

[54] Ho, M., 2011. Academic discourse socialization through small-group discussions. System. 39(4), 437–450. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2011.10.015

Downloads

How to Cite

Al Awabdeh, A., Tahat, A., & Albtoush, M. (2025). English Language Teachers’ Intercultural Communication Competence in Teaching English as a Foreign Language in Jordanian Context. Forum for Linguistic Studies, 7(10), 1139–1150. https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i10.10839

Issue

Vol. 7 , Iss. 10 (October 2025): In progress

Article Type

Article

License

Copyright © 2025 Abdelhameed Al Awabdeh, Abdelrazzaq Tahat, Mohammad Albtoush

Creative Commons License

This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License.