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Having given this background, and in reviewing the literature written on ICA
the intercultural dimension and its aspects, the subsequent section outlines the central
aspects that were adopted for the operational definition of ICA that served as the
framework for the analysis of the data in this in this study. It is worth mentioning that
to include, and what to leave out at the onset of this research study. The main
challenges can be attributed to the dynamic and complex nature of the concept of
culture which is difficult to delimit its scope as it "touches on all aspects of our lives"
(Matsumoto & Yoo, p.257), so is ICA. Yet, at this stage, we felt it was necessary to
delineate the scope of this study by providing a working definition of ICA (the DV in
this study) that we inspired from various former definitions in the literature and
adapted to the characteristics of the aims of this research. As mentioned earlier in this
chapter, existing research has shown that while disagreement still exists on how to
define ICA, a consensus has been felt regarding its fundamental role as a prerequisite
Despite a lack of consensus on the term, it is important to explain which definition the
Given the fact that no agreed on model of ICA has not been met in the
literature for EFL classroom, following this assumption, our definition of ICAwas
found to match the general theoretical perspective already held by Fantini's (2012)
and Byram's (1997) and also draws on perspectives from the Council of Europe's
concept and platform and earlier definitions of ICA as all of their frameworks were
specifically designed for foreign language learning contexts compared to the other
models. Accordingly, ICA is enhanced through developments in knowledge, skills
and positive attitudes. These dimensions will serve as an analytical tool for this
study.
another culture is a process which involves a series of steps that take the intercultural
learner along a journey of discovery and reflection (Baccin & Pavan, 2014; Byram,
1997). Baccin and Pavan (2014), for instance, suggest that to develop ICA in
analysis and comparison" (p.16). Liddicoat (2002b) together with Scarino and
comparison (Figure 2.1). Our study suggests an innovative way of integrating ICA in
EFL classes which, according to Baccin and Pavan (2014), helps avoid "a static
representation of culture, that of facts and artefacts, and paying special attention to
values and beliefs, social conventions and expectations" (p.16). Therefore, the
This section will detail those steps. Our stand was concurrent with Liddicoat (2002b)
and Scarino and Liddicoat's (2009) existing theory on intercultural language learning
in the context of the language classroom, which suggests a cycle of learning practices
Scarino and Liddicoat (2009, p.23) have proposed and which was adopted in this
thesis involves:
- noticing cultural similarities and differences as they are
and culture with what one already knows about other languages and
cultures
cultural diversity means for oneself: how one reacts to diversity, how
one thinks about diversity, how one feels about diversity and how one
Figure 2.1 Stages of ICA (Source: Scarino & Liddicoat, 2009, p.23)
It is clear from what has been said that one can infer from the aforementioned
definitions that it is not easy to delimit what awareness stands for. Nonetheless, in all
the definitions of ICA stated earlier, it is clear that some agreement surrounds the
ICA that matches the approach taken in this thesis is that put forward by Baccin and
Pavan (2014) and Byram (2002). For that reason, an Inventory of Intercultural
For more detail on the (IICA) Components Scale selection and adaptation, see
Chapter Four)
Chapter Summary
another complex, multi-layered concept, although still a matter of debate and further
study, interculturality, which set out the academic foundations of this thesis; thus
providing a brief historical overview of the developments in the field of ICC, from LC
Components (IIC) Scale selection and adaptation was reviewed and discussed,
building up to a rationale for the working definition of ICA and the model relevant to
with respect to the literature concerning idioms the objective of which is to generate a