INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION AND AN ENGLISH LANGUAGE CLASSROOM: A STUDY OF NEED IN A HIGHER EDUCATION CONTEXT OF PAKISTAN

Abstract

The study aims to investigate the need of Intercultural Communication (ICC) with reference to the English language classroom in Pakistani universities. The paper is conceptual – argument(s) are developed based on the literature and researchers’ personal experiences and views. The rapid changes such as globalisation, technological advancements and increasing trend to travel/immigration of people to different countries for business, jobs, study and better living are making the world smaller and creating the need for ICC. English has a prominent place in Pakistan and it enjoys the privilege of a second language. Now there is a need to shift from English as a second Language (ESL) to EFL, where ICC should be given a proper place. As there is a special requirement of culture in language teaching (Kramsch, 2001), hence, there is a need to evaluate cultural existence in the course material of English used at university level and to modify the course outline to include ICC. Finally, it is suggested that in order to develop the Pakistani English language learners’ capacity with the reference to ICC, it is inevitable to consider the international cultures along with the local cultures in the English language curriculum.