Linguistic aspects in intercultural communication (IC) practices at a higher education institution in Indonesia

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate intercultural communication practice in higher education in Indonesia. Participants (N = 77) were graduate students from the English Education Study Program, State University of Makassar (Males = 16 (20.78%) and females = 61 (79.22%)). The participants ranged in age from 21 to 50. The study found that cultural diversity is important in the EFL classroom, and the students respect other students from different cultures and linguistic backgrounds. The students also claim that intercultural communication is a basic aspect of teaching English in the EFL classroom. Interestingly, intercultural communication can be established properly if all students from different cultural backgrounds respect each other. They feel closer to their classmates regardless of their cultural identity. They find it easy to interact with other students from different cultures and linguistic backgrounds. In classroom discussions, the participants did not look at the cultural background of the group participants.