In the present global society, face-to-face intercultural communication has become inescapable
and English has played a prominent role as a tool for this communication. This study aims to: (1)
investigate the role of face-to-face intercultural communication in enhancing learners' levels in
English, and (2) identify the role of other elements on the participants' perceptions of face-toface communication and language learning. Using a questionnaire, 288 Saudi EFL learners from
University of Bisha, Al-Namas Campus participated in this study. The results showed that the
students positively perceived the influential role of face-to-face intercultural communication in
enhancing their English. This included motivating them to learn English, develop their speaking
and listening skills, and build more vocabulary. Furthermore, they became more confident and
less worried while communicating with others. They also showed respect and got more
knowledge about others and their cultures. In addition, the results revealed that there were
statistically significant and positive differences in the face-to-face intercultural communication
scores for the variables of gender and university level. However, there were no statistically
significant and positive differences in the face-to-face intercultural communication scores for the
other variables of age, foreign friendship, using English, and visiting English-speaking countries.
It is hoped that students should be sensitized to grasp every intercultural opportunity for
developing their English.
تاريخ النشر
19/12/2015
الناشر
Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) Vol.6. No.4 December 2015
بكر بجاش منصور أحمد الصوفي | Bakr Bagash Mansour Ahmed Al-Sofi | 2921