Narratives as a strategy to embrace interculturality in the EFL classroom

Abstract

Interculturality is a concept that must be addressed through various strategies leading to the recognition of cultural diversity in the English classroom. With this study we aimed to integrate the different cultures of the students through narratives, raise awareness of interculturality and promote equal opportunities in the classroom regardless of the cultural background of the students. The research project was carried out at Think - E academy, located in Medellín, Colombia. Students ages 18 to 26 from different nationalities and with an intermediate English level participated in the study. The data collection process was carried out by means of three instruments: student narratives, a focus group, and researcher journals. These instruments were analyzed by triangulating the most relevant data according to the specific objectives. The study showed that the use of narratives to reflect on intercultural experiences was an effective tool to enhance both teachers’ and students’ awareness of the cultural diversity in the classroom. Finally, the study also contributed to the development of the teachers’ cultural identity and to the recognition of their role as cultural agents.