USING EDTECH TO ENHANCE INTERCULTURAL COMPETENCE AS A TRANSVERSAL SKILL IN LANGUAGE EDUCATION
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46827/ejals.v7i2.572Keywords:
intercultural competence, English language teaching, educational technology, transversal skills, innovative pedagogiesAbstract
Intercultural competence (IC), identified as a core transversal competence, has become an essential skill for 21st-century students and a foundation for effective performance at the global level. Enhancing intercultural competence is crucial in English Language Teaching (ELT), and educational technology (EdTech) has been identified as a key factor in achieving this goal. This paper attempts to identify and explore the literature published on integrating intercultural competence in EdTech-enabled ELT environments by systematically synthesizing and critically evaluating existing evidence, which is currently fragmented and lacks comprehensive practical insights. It systematically reviews peer-reviewed articles, case studies, and educational reports to identify and evaluate the effectiveness of different EdTech tools such as ICT, computer-mediated communication tools (CMC), social media, virtual exchange platforms, language learning apps, and AI-powered teaching and learning tools for developing intercultural competence in the language classroom. Consequently, emphasis will be put on the following main areas, including pedagogical approaches, the challenges encountered, and measurable improvements in the development of intercultural competence as a transversal skill. Through a rigorous systematic review process, the paper examines studies published over the last decade to identify and assess recent developments. The ultimate objective is to present a comprehensive synthesis of evidence related to the role that EdTech plays in enhancing intercultural competence within ELT. The findings provide insights into the most effective tools and strategies, identify research gaps, and provide scope for future studies; therefore, they provide practical recommendations to educators and policymakers on the ways these technologies should be integrated into ELT curricula.
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