Intercultural Competence and Intercultural Sensitivity Levels of EFL Preparatory Students: Insights from a Turkish Context

Abstract

Effective communication between people with different emotional, cognitive, and behavioral perspectives requires skill in handling communication. Learning intercultural communication skills (IC), which are more important than language proficiency and communicative competence, is necessary for teaching foreign languages as English becomes a global language. Effective communication in English language classes, thus, requires multicultural sensitivity and competency. Intercultural competence (IC) is crucial in a globalized society where people must behave ethically and competently in cross-cultural relationships. As societies strive toward collective goals and establish lasting social, cultural, and economic connections with diverse cultural groups, intercultural sensitivity is gaining importance at all educational levels, particularly for foreign language learners. Many students lack intercultural knowledge, abilities, and mindsets. This study examines how EFL preparatory students perceive their intercultural sensitivity and competencies, whether there exists a statistically significant relationship between these two variables, and whether these variables show a difference regarding the participants’ demographics. The study adopted a descriptive methodology by using a correlational survey method. Data were collected from EFL preparatory students at a state university in western Türkiye by using the Intercultural Sensitivity Scale and the Intercultural Competence Scale (ICS). Convenience sampling technique was used to collect data. T-test, Pearson correlation, and Spearman's Rho tests were used to calculate frequency and percentages with SPSS program, version 22. The results showed that EFL preparatory students demonstrated a high level of IS and IC levels; however, the participants’ IS and IC levels did not significantly differ by their demographics. Educational implications were suggested in the light of the literature.