The Perceptions of Arabic-Speaking Jordanian EFL Learners about Multiculturalism and Multilingualism

Abstract

This study presents quantitative research on the opinions of Jordanian EFL learners regarding multiculturalism and multilingualism. It evaluates how learning English is linked with the cultural association of these learners. The communicative competence model, which explains multilingualism and multiculturalism as being associated with the different competencies of students in acquiring a language, is applied. It applies a survey methodology to investigate the perceptions of Jordanian EFL students regarding their multilingualism and multiculturalism. A sample of 426 undergraduate students was used in the analysis. The main findings showed that the students prefer collaborative learning strategies. It also showed that the students are more interested in standard English and have a relatively low cultural affiliation with native English-speaking countries such as the United States and Britain. Jordanian students seem to have relatively low levels of multiculturalism, although they consider themselves citizens of the world in seeking to learn English as the language of globalization. Multilingualism for Jordanian EFL students seems to focus mostly on standard English.