Abstract:

The purpose of this study is to investigate the perceptions of non-native and native EFL instructors towards intercultural foreign language teaching, explore whether there are any differences between the two groups of participants, and also, find out to what extent they integrate culture into their class practice in a language preparatory program offered at a foundation (non-profit, private) university in Istanbul, Turkey. A sample of thirty native and thirty non-native EFL instructors participated in this study in fall semester of 2014 – 2015 academic year. The quantitative data were obtained through a questionnaire, and an observation checklist while the qualitative data were collected from semi-structured interviews administered to both groups of instructors. The findings of the study showed that intercultural foreign language teaching is perceived to be an important concept of foreign language teaching by both native and non-native EFL instructors and revealed significant implications with respect to integrating foreign culture in EFL classrooms.