Investigating the Relationship between Audiovisual-based Media and EFL Learners’ Intercultural Knowledge

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the relationship between the use of audiovisual-based media and intercultural knowledge among English as a Foreign Language learners (EFL). The research investigates learners’ and teachers' views and perspectives with respect to the topic in question. To this end, this study employs a mixed-methods research design, combining qualitative interviews and quantitative questionnaires. To achieve the research objectives, a questionnaire was administered to 93 Master I students from the Department of English at 8 May 1945 University, Guelma. This tool contributes to collecting quantitative data on the learners’ attitudes towards the use of audiovisual-based media in relation to intercultural knowledge. Additionally, interviews were conducted with 12 teachers from the same department to gather qualitative data regarding the relationship between audiovisual-based media in EFL classrooms and EFL learners’ intercultural knowledge. The preliminary results confirm the hypothesis that the exposure to audiovisual-based media, mainly films, has a positive association with EFL learners’ intercultural knowledge. This study provides insights into the potential impact of contextualization on the acquisition of intercultural knowledge, which involves helping students understand their own culture and familiarizing them with the Target Culture (TC)