Enhancing intercultural competence through U.S. multicultural literature in the EFL classroom

Abstract

This article reports part of an action research experience that was conducted in an advanced EFL classroom of the language program at a public university in Bogotá, Colombia in 2011. The study proposes the incorporation of authentic multicultural literary texts in the EFL classroom as a means to develop intercultural communicative competence (ICC). Data were collected to show how learners acquired cultural knowledge, developed critical intercultural skills, and created positive attitudes -aspects of Byram's model of ICC- when they read literary short stories. Findings show that integrating language and literature in EFL constitutes a pedagogical contribution to construct critical intercultural awareness.

Keywords

• competencia comunicativa intercultural
• textos auténticos
• textos literarios multiculturales
• conocimiento
• actitudes
• habilidades