Culture Integration in EFL Classrooms: Promoting Intercultural Communicative Competence in Junior High School Students

Sudarmono (Postgraduate at State University of Surabaya)

IDEAS: Journal on English Language Teaching and Learning, Linguistics and Literature
Vol. 14 No. 2 (2026): IDEAS: Journal on English Language Teaching and Learning, Linguistics and Lite

The purpose of this study is definitely to investigate how teacher compensates the lack of target culture in achieving target language in English lesson in EFL classroom. This study also aims to find out how English teacher promotes intercultural communicative competence in the EFL classroom when the textbook is being used in the teaching learning process. The researcher want to examine more the way teacher teach cultural content related to communicative competence in the classroom, which the students are not from target culture country. The researcher conducted qualitative research, which focused on explanatory narrative report from teaching learning process. There was only one teacher who is being observed. The data derived from the investigation which could be initiated through classroom observation. In addition, semi-structured interview was conducted to deal with teacher's supporting personal statements about balancing target culture in learning language. Field notes and video-audio recording were completed to figure out the process of teaching learning process in the classroom. Based on data analysis, the researcher can draw some findings about teacher's techniques to add target culture in learning language, teacher compensated lacking or cultural content by seeking another new additional materials which supported to teach target culture. The usage of media was shown in the class to have additional learning about culture formed as song, pictures, and videos. Then, teacher associated the class with English ambience, which is probably able to create students communicative skill. Teacher encouraged students by inquiring some question to speak up. Nevertheless, teacher never abandoned teaching students the standard textbook, which is already standardized 2013 curriculum. This study will contribute to English teachers that target culture should be attached in the process teaching and learning language in order to get enhancement in studying the language. the researcher expects to government especially education ministry to maximize concept of learning language by inserting cultural content in textbook.