earticle

영어

This study focuses on developing intercultural competence (IC) among preservice teachers in a teacher education program in Thailand. I used a socio-cultural lens to view language and culture as inseparable elements, where culture is largely unconscious and better understood as the combined aspects of concrete and abstract meanings. Cultural competence can be integrated into language learning and should be reoriented towards developing cultural awareness of and sensitivity toward the cultural aspects that learners may not be aware of. The paper provides a background that will lead to the development of a stance toward IC, and discusses the findings resulting from the implementation of the IC instructional activities for preservice teachers. The suggested pedagogical implications are hoped to be shared to other professionals, especially those in teacher education programs.