The Relationship Between ICC Levels of Language Learners, Their Proficiency Levels and Achievement Scores

Intercultural Communicative Competence (ICC) has gained importance in language classes to assist EFL learners who lack exposure to the target language. To address potential communication difficulties, this study investigates EFL students' ICC levels and its components (knowledge, skill, attitud...

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Main Author: Sibel Özdemir Çağatay
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Sakarya University 2025-04-01
Series:Sakarya University Journal of Education
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Online Access:https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/4182068
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author Sibel Özdemir Çağatay
author_facet Sibel Özdemir Çağatay
author_sort Sibel Özdemir Çağatay
collection DOAJ
description Intercultural Communicative Competence (ICC) has gained importance in language classes to assist EFL learners who lack exposure to the target language. To address potential communication difficulties, this study investigates EFL students' ICC levels and its components (knowledge, skill, attitude) as well as the relationship between their achievement—measured by midterm exam scores—language proficiency, and ICC. A quantitative study was conducted with 172 EFL learners at a Turkish university's preparatory program. Participants completed an ICC questionnaire, and their midterm exam scores were collected. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and MANOVA in SPSS. The findings reveal that proficiency level (A2 to C1) has a significant effect on overall ICC scores. When examining ICC components, proficiency level and learners’ achievement scores significantly impacts attitude and skill, but not knowledge. However, the interaction between proficiency and achievement does not significantly affect ICC. The significant influence of proficiency level on overall ICC scores, particularly in attitude and skill, highlights the close relationship between linguistic competence and learners’ ability to adapt to intercultural contexts. However, the lack of effect on the knowledge component suggests a need for explicit cultural instruction to complement linguistic development. These findings highlight the need for language curricula that combine intercultural education with linguistic development to foster both communication skills and cultural knowledge.
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spelling doaj-art-661282d1ecb34b7ea2841aa858a8f2222025-08-20T03:11:22ZengSakarya UniversitySakarya University Journal of Education2146-74552025-04-01151668110.19126/suje.154158728The Relationship Between ICC Levels of Language Learners, Their Proficiency Levels and Achievement ScoresSibel Özdemir Çağatay0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0202-2081MIDDLE EAST TECHNICAL UNIVERSITYIntercultural Communicative Competence (ICC) has gained importance in language classes to assist EFL learners who lack exposure to the target language. To address potential communication difficulties, this study investigates EFL students' ICC levels and its components (knowledge, skill, attitude) as well as the relationship between their achievement—measured by midterm exam scores—language proficiency, and ICC. A quantitative study was conducted with 172 EFL learners at a Turkish university's preparatory program. Participants completed an ICC questionnaire, and their midterm exam scores were collected. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and MANOVA in SPSS. The findings reveal that proficiency level (A2 to C1) has a significant effect on overall ICC scores. When examining ICC components, proficiency level and learners’ achievement scores significantly impacts attitude and skill, but not knowledge. However, the interaction between proficiency and achievement does not significantly affect ICC. The significant influence of proficiency level on overall ICC scores, particularly in attitude and skill, highlights the close relationship between linguistic competence and learners’ ability to adapt to intercultural contexts. However, the lack of effect on the knowledge component suggests a need for explicit cultural instruction to complement linguistic development. These findings highlight the need for language curricula that combine intercultural education with linguistic development to foster both communication skills and cultural knowledge.https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/4182068intercultural communicative competenceproficiency levelachievementskillattitude
spellingShingle Sibel Özdemir Çağatay
The Relationship Between ICC Levels of Language Learners, Their Proficiency Levels and Achievement Scores
Sakarya University Journal of Education
intercultural communicative competence
proficiency level
achievement
skill
attitude
title The Relationship Between ICC Levels of Language Learners, Their Proficiency Levels and Achievement Scores
title_full The Relationship Between ICC Levels of Language Learners, Their Proficiency Levels and Achievement Scores
title_fullStr The Relationship Between ICC Levels of Language Learners, Their Proficiency Levels and Achievement Scores
title_full_unstemmed The Relationship Between ICC Levels of Language Learners, Their Proficiency Levels and Achievement Scores
title_short The Relationship Between ICC Levels of Language Learners, Their Proficiency Levels and Achievement Scores
title_sort relationship between icc levels of language learners their proficiency levels and achievement scores
topic intercultural communicative competence
proficiency level
achievement
skill
attitude
url https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/4182068
work_keys_str_mv AT sibelozdemircagatay therelationshipbetweenicclevelsoflanguagelearnerstheirproficiencylevelsandachievementscores
AT sibelozdemircagatay relationshipbetweenicclevelsoflanguagelearnerstheirproficiencylevelsandachievementscores