Enhancing Cultural Awareness using ICT in ELT: Indonesian Elementary School Teachers Perspective
Aksendro Maximilian (a*), Galuh Dwi Ajeng (a), Hajjah Zulianti (a)

(a) STKIP PGRI Bandar Lampung, Indonesia
Jalan Khairil Anwar No 79, Bandar Lampung, Indonesia
*aksendro[at]gmail.com

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the perception of Indonesian English teachers of the elementary school on the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) for developing cultural awareness of students as well as improving their English literacy and communication. Even though English is not a compulsory subject in elementary school, the fact is that English is still taught either as a local content subject or as a language-medium of instruction. This study employs qualitative research by administering a questionnaire for elementary school English teachers in Indonesia who have been ever implementing online learning during COVID 19 pandemic. The result shows that most teachers respond positively to the use of ICT in English language teaching (ELT) practice in elementary school. Regarding the cultural content, the participants agree that ICT can be helpful for them to provide interactive digital teaching material, including cultural material for the students. The existence of ICT is helpful for both students and teachers to provide real and authentic teaching materials. Therefore, the use of ICT needs to be promoted to provide cultural awareness in ELT practice to equip young learners to do intercultural communication in the global world.

Keywords: Cultural Awareness; Elementary School; English; Information and Communications Technology; ICT; Computer Assisted Language Learning

Topic: Computer-based learning