Investigating the Role of Online Exchanges through Facebook in Developing Learners’ Intercultural Awareness

Abstract

In the recent time and with the advancements of new technologies, it is unquestionable that communication across cultures is becoming paramount for contemporary communities. In a few words, intercultural awareness appears to be imperative for foreign language learners as it is more likely for them to experience intercultural communication. In light of this, the main concern of the current research is to probe into the scope and nature of the role that online exchanges through Facebook play in enhancing Master Two students’ intercultural awareness. On the grounds of this, it is hypothesized that if Master Two students of English at the University of Mohammed Seddik Ben Yahia-Jijel use Facebook appropriately as a means for the intercultural online exchange, then they will develop their intercultural awareness. Therefore, to collect necessary data for the current study, two main research instruments were adopted, a questionnaire and a test. They were both addressed to all Master Two students of English (nearly 126) at the University of Mohammed Seddik Ben Yahia-Jijel; however, only (53) of them responded to the questionnaire and (39) to the test. The results obtained reveal that the informants under investigation, to certain extent, have the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that allow them to operate adequately in intercultural communication situations, that they hold the view that the online exchange via Facebook contributes to the promotion of their intercultural awareness; consequently, they take advantage of using it to know more about other cultures, develop empathy, and then avoiding misunderstandings, conflicts, prejudices, and stereotypes. In a nutshell, it is safe to state that the research hypothesis on which the study at hand is constructed was confirmed. On this account, it is recommended for teachers to give more importance to the teaching of culture and interculturality as well as taking into consideration the vital role of integrating technology in education.