Intercultural Communicative Competence and Its Relationship to Writing Fluency among EFL Students in Private Universities

Authors

  • Zahraa Qasim Mohmmed MA Candidate, Department of English Language, College of Education for Women, University of Baghdad, Iraq University of Baghdad, College of Education for Women, Department of English
  • Shaima Mahdi Saalh

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31185/bsj.Vol23.Iss48.1833

Keywords:

Intercultural Communicative Competence (ICC), Writing Fluency, EFL Students, English as a Foreign Language (EFL), Private Universities

Abstract

The objective of this research is to investigate whether intercultural communicative competence (ICC) is a predictor of writing fluency and also to explore the connection between ICC and writing fluency amongst Iraqi English as a foreign language (EFL) students in private universities. The methodology applied in this study was correlational. The main sample consisted of 76 participants, whereas there were 22 participants in the pilot study. An Intercultural Communicative Competence Scale and a Writing Fluency Test were the instruments utilised in order to collect the data. Correlation analysis and simple linear regression were employed to investigate the link between the two variables. The findings revealed a positive and significant relationship between the two variables (r = .601, p < .05). These findings suggest that students with higher levels of intercultural communicative competence typically exhibit higher levels of writing fluency. Additionally, the regression analysis revealed that writing fluency is strongly predicted by intercultural communicative competence (F = 41.948, p < .05). The results emphasise the significance of intercultural communicative competence in EFL instruction and suggest that enhancing students' intercultural awareness, attitudes, and communicative abilities may help them write better. To improve students' language learning outcomes, the study suggests including intercultural elements in EFL curricula and teaching strategies.

Author Biographies

  • Zahraa Qasim Mohmmed MA Candidate, Department of English Language, College of Education for Women, University of Baghdad, Iraq, University of Baghdad, College of Education for Women, Department of English

    Zahraa Qasim Mohmmed is an M.A. student in English Language Teaching (ELT) at the Department of English, College of Education for Women, University of Baghdad, Iraq.

  • Shaima Mahdi Saalh

    Prof. Dr Shaima M. Saalh is a Professor of Methods of Teaching English as a Foreign Language at the Department of English Language, College of Education for Women, The University of Baghdad, Iraq.  She taughtvarious courses to the undergraduate and postgraduate EFL and ESP students in the Department of  English and other departments. Besides teaching, Dr. Saalh has published many research articles in the fields of ELT, ESP, and Teacher Education. She participated in 65 master's and PhD discussion committees and worked as an editorial board member in three journals in Iraq and one international journal. She worked as a reviewer for 80 articles across various Iraqi, Arabic, and international journals, and for 12 articles in Sage journals.

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2026-09-22

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