IMPACT OF INTERCULTURAL LANGUAGE ACTIVITIES ON ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY AMONG SELECTED STUDENTS AT ALVAN IKOKU FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, OWERRI, IMO STATE.

Abstract

Intercultural language activities have become essential in modern language education, especially in multicultural contexts like Nigeria. Nowadays, intercultural competence in language education has become an essential skill alongside language proficiency. This study explored the impact of intercultural language activities on enhancing English language proficiency and intercultural competence among selected student teachers from the Department of English Language Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri in Imo State of Nigeria. The study was done with real-life intercultural language learning activities through role playing, simulations, and discussions among 180, 200 level student-teachers. They were selected through purposive sampling technique because they are expected to have acquired foundational English language skills and are ready to develop more advanced communicative and pedagogical abilities. They participated in the activities over a period of six weeks. Each session involved preparation, role-playing, and reflection. They took pre- and post-test to check their different levels of English proficiency and intercultural competence through observations, essays and questionnaires. At the end of the study, the total sum of all group pre-test score was 345 from 180 students, therefore, mean pre-test score was 38.33 % while the total sum of all group post test score was 615 still from the 180 students, therefore, mean post-test score was 68.33 %.To get the improvement which is = 615 – 345 = 270. The mean improvement was 270 which is equivalent to 68.33 % - 38. 33 % =30 % improvement