Influences of Digital Native Storytelling on Foreign Language Learners' Native Cultural Awareness

Abstract

English language teaching and learning calls for fostering a profound comprehension of both the target language culture and the native culture in Foreign Language (FL) learning. However, in Intercultural Communicative Competence (ICC) learning and teaching, the focus tends to be on integrating the target culture, often neglecting the role of native culture. In response to the gap, the study aims to explore the effectiveness of employing digital native storytelling in English to foster their awareness of their native culture within the context of ICC. A mixed quantitative (questionnaires) and qualitative (semi-structured interview) method design with a quasi-experiment was employed. The research found out that digital native storytelling improved Chinese FL learners' attitudes dimension of native cultural awareness, such as the appreciation and respect for cultural heritage by improving language proficiency and artificial intelligence competence for cultural expression. This study provides theoretical and practical implications for future FL research and pedagogy.