Fostering Intercultural Awareness Via Short Stories - Reconnoitering Student Perspective

Abstract

Understanding people from other cultures is crucial in today's globalised society since it can help to foster peace on the planet. The need to show respect for people from different origins is more important than ever with the emergence of the borderless world brought about by the usage of the internet and various social media. Teaching pertinent intercultural subjects in ESL classes is one strategy to enhance this intercultural awareness. Literature has also generally been seen as a source of wisdom and lessons for living that might help language learners. Hence, this paper presents the results of a preliminary investigation into the opinions of university students about the use of short stories to foster multicultural awareness in ESL classes. A survey using a questionnaire was used to get the students' opinions on learning about other cultures. The results are described in order to determine how these college students feel that reading short stories can improve intercultural understanding. Finally, appropriate conclusions and recommendations are made regarding the need for additional methods of promoting multicultural awareness in ESL classrooms.