Boosting Intercultural Communication Skills: The Role of Authentic Literary Texts in an Intermediate Turkish EFL Classroom

The purpose of this study is to explore cultural barriers and methods of establishing effective communication in English as a Foreign language classrooms. Simply learning grammar rules is insufficient for students to interact effectively; they also need to acquire knowledge about culture, history, and geography through the use of textbooks, documentaries, and movies. With this in mind, the research study aimed to incorporate authentic literary short stories into an intermediate-level class based on the belief that literary texts can help learners develop their intercultural communicative competence. The participants of this study were 25 EFL learners between 18 and 21 years old. The data was collected and analyzed through individual interviews. The findings demonstrate that students can enhance their English language abilities and communication skills through reading authentic books.