INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION COMPETENCE OF ENGLISH NATIVE TEACHER AT MTSN 2 PONOROGO

Mukti, Alyya Nisa. 2025. Intercultural Communication Competence of English Native Teacher at MTsN 2 Ponorogo. Thesis. English Education Department, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Muhammadiyah University of Ponorogo. Advisors: (1) Dr. Diyah Atiek Mustikawati, S.Pd, M.Hum., (2) Siti Asiyah, S.Pd, M.Pd
Keywords: Intercultural Communication Competence, Native Speaker, Native Speaker Teacher
This research aims at exploring the intercultural communication competence of an English native teacher at MTsN 2 Ponorogo. The study focuses on three research objectives that are identifying the types of intercultural communication competence possessed by the teacher, analyzing the communication barriers encountered during the teaching and learning process, and describing the strategies used by the teacher to overcome those obstacles. This research uses a qualitative descriptive method, with data collected through interviews and classroom observations. The main subject of this research is an English native teacher from the Peace Corps program, supported by interviews with six students who were taught by the teacher. The findings revealed that the teacher possessed a high level of intercultural communication competence, shown through motivation, cultural knowledge, and communication skills. He adapted his teaching style, applied bilingual communication, and demonstrated sensitivity to Indonesian cultural norms such as indirect speech and politeness. Despite these strengths, he faced challenges including language barriers, differences in classroom management, and cultural expectations. To overcome these, he built personal connections, used student-centered methods, and adjusted to local values. This study concludes that intercultural communication competence is essential for effective teaching in multicultural classrooms. The results provide insight for foreign teachers and institutions in supporting inclusive, culturally responsive education.