Suggestions for Implementing Intercultural Communicative Competence in Business English Classes

Abstract

Nowadays, the language teachers focus more on English communication that helps for the growth of international business. The teachers train the future business managers to understand appropriate business etiquette, customs, and values needed to conduct business within an international context. This study aims to describe the importance of intercultural communicative competence in the business English courses precisely at the Higher School of Commerce departments, yet, the business English teachers neglect cultural aspects that shape business communication. Additionally, it evaluates the possibility of improving the learners' intercultural communicative competence skills and cultural awareness through the different learning styles and provides them with the basic skills to communicate efficiently across cultures. Regarding the data collection, the learners' questionnaire is contributed to understand the learners' opinions and expectations about the importance of English. It also aims at discovering the learners’ awareness about ICC and explores their styles of learning. Moreover, the teacher uses different materials to teach business English and presents business situations as texts to read. The HSC English teacher drives his/her courses with grammar activities and does not focus on oral expressions that promote the learners to develop their performance and communication skills. As a result, these courses are not highly effective and do not meet the learners’ needs and objectives. The findings are collected from the research tool revealed that thrusting and strengthening the intercultural communicative competence is possible through the use of authentic materials. Therefore, the business English teacher needs to focus on oral expressions and activities that raise the learners’ communication skills. Likewise, the researcher affords some recommendations, for the business English teachers that help them to improve the students’ cultural awareness and intercultural communication skills among business situations.