LINGUISTICALLY INTERCULTURAL PROBLEMS IN LEARNING ENGLISH AS A GLOBAL LINGUA FRANCA (EGLF)

Abstract

In learning English as a Lingua Franca (ELF) of the globe, Indonesian learners of
English as a Foreign Language (EFL) need great effort and seriousness to cope
with certain linguistic and incultural problems. If beginning EFL learners make
errors in making sentences using certain words, it is not surprising but it is when
they are made by quite advanced learners. However, errors should be respected
and accepted as signs of learning as no learners create errors on purpose.
Teachers should realize that errors are committed due to some factors that are
beyond learners’ awareness linguistically as well as culturally. This paper is
intended to describe some linguistic and incultural errors made by advanced EFL
learners and discuss some possible causes and offer ways to help them improve
their competence and performance in the English language. The data used in this
study are in forms of (a) sentences made by 30 Magister program students using
certain words given, and (b) answers they provide based on Yes/No questions and
Tag-questions asked. The study reveals that to make correct sentences using certain
words and correct answers to certain questions in English EFL learners are
required to build some linguistic, pragmatic, and intercultural comptence both in
Indonesian and English.