An Investigation into Kurdish EFL Instructors’ Intercultural Communicative Competence in Sulaimani Province Universities

Abstract

The present study attempts to investigate intercultural communicative competence (ICC) of Kurdish EFL instructors in Sulaimani Province Universities. The study hypothesizes that a) Kurdish EFL Sulaimani Province Universities’ instructors’ knowledge of their own and English cultures affect their level of ICC, b) existing intercultural skills affect Kurdish EFL Sulaimani Province Universities’ instructor’s level of ICC, c) possession of positive attitudes toward English culture affects how interculturally competent the participants are, d) Kurdish EFL Sulaimani Province Universities’ instructors are aware of the differences and similarities between Kurdish and English cultures. To verify the hypotheses, a questionnaire of thirty items has been arranged and has tested 69 instructors in all Sulaimani Province Universities. The statistical analysis of the subjects' responses has led to the following conclusions: most Kurdish EFL instructors in Sulaimani Province Universities a) have knowledge of their own and English cultures, b) are aware of the similarities and differences of both cultures, c) can use a combination of attitudes, knowledge, and skills to communicate with culturally-diverse people d) are interested in learning about culturally diverse people’s life experiences, e) show tolerance toward English culture, views and behaviors of culturally-different people, f) do not have adequate knowledge of non-verbal interactional behavior and taboos.