The Role of Cultural Awareness in the EFL Classroom

Abstract

Language learning involves four skills named as reading, listening, writing, and speaking for
learners to practice both in and outside the classroom. Interaction in the class may be limited
to the backgrounds and common values of its members, but once learners are outside the class,
pragmatic skills are required to engage in social and cultural aspects. This study aims to
examine the qualitative and quantitative studies about cultural awareness in EFL classrooms in
a systematic way. Therefore, the meta-synthesis procedure is used as a research design. After
applying four specified criteria, 50 studies about cultural and intercultural awareness in EFL
classrooms were included to meet the aim of this meta-synthesis. There are two main themes
called foundations and acquirements that emerged as a result of the analysis of the studies about
cultural and intercultural awareness. Foundations of cultural awareness have four codes named
lesson components, interaction, dynamic and personal connection. Furthermore, acquirements
of cultural awareness have four codes as conversational competency, cognitive competency,
cultural competency, and global involvement.