Promoting intercultural sensitivity and classroom climate in EFL classrooms: The use of intercultural TV advertisements

Publication date: Available online 30 October 2018Source: Learning, Culture and Social InteractionAuthor(s): Samira Tirnaz, Mehry Haddad NarafshanAbstractGiven the importance of intercultural exposure in English language teaching (ELT), the current mixed methods classroom-based study investigated whether the implementation of intercultural TV advertisements could contribute to improving the intercultural sensitivity, and have a positive impact on classroom climate in the English as a foreign language (EFL) context of Iran. To address the mentioned issue, two intact classes were assigned to control and experimental group, each containing thirty seven students. This quasi experimental study was implemented on the pre-test-post-test equivalent-group design. Descriptive and inferential analyses of the collected data, over a six-month period, revealed that the experimental group significantly outperformed the control group on the scales of ICS skill which reflects that the use of intercultural TV ads appears to provide a brilliant opportunity for the students to notice, accept, and respect cultural diversities. A change was also observed in the climate of experimental group classroom. Ads positively affected the classroom climate and encouraged a more flexible environment since the students learned to understand and value differences, and work with and support the classmates who held different attitudes.
Source: Learning, Culture and Social Interaction - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Source Type: research