Integrating intercultural dimension in esp course for undergraduate IT students

Abstract

Increased interdependent relationship between nations in the modern world requires professionals to be able to communicate effectively with people of diverse cultures. It is generally acknowledged that English is the most important language of the Information and Communication Technology sphere and most IT students will need to use English at work. However, nowadays, an impressive command of the English language is incomplete in the professional IT context, developing intercultural competence is becoming a progressively vital trend. The Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies is no exception to this tendency, in order to enhance employability and competitiveness, ESP courses comprising an intercultural dimension are designed for undergraduate IT students. The aim of the present research is to explore ways how promoting intercultural competence can be integrated within an ESP syllabus and to examine students’ opinions about participating in the course. Two groups of undergraduate IT students were involved in the experiment. The results of questionnaires and semi-structured interviews indicate that intercultural dimension is viewed by the students as a meaningful integral part of the ESP course and the communicative activities they participated in can develop knowledge, skills and attitudes and in this way promote intercultural competence. The students admitted that the culture-based activities developed problem-solving skills, motivated to take part in discussions and boosted their confidence to communicate in English, and they were useful for the future job as they help avoid intercultural misunderstandings.