Cross-Cultural Competence: Examining EFL Students’ Views of U.S. Holiday Culture Through Film

As the world becomes more interconnected, it is vital for students to learn about other cultures to be able to effectively communicate with people around the world. Movies can be an engaging way to gain more insight into the cultures of native English speaking countries and help improve cross-cultural competence. This case study examined Korean EFL students’ perceptions of mainstream U.S. Christmas culture through the movie Christmas with the Kranks. In addition, the study sought to analyze potential cultural misinterpretations that the students may have had after watching the movie and to examine additional questions that the students had about U.S. Christmas culture. Data included a completed worksheet, class discussions, and class observations. Data analysis centered on identifying common themes related to students’ perceptions of U.S. Christmas culture. Significant themes include Christmas parties; gift giving, compassion, and socioeconomic status; relationships; decorations; and holiday stress. Students also had varying questions about U.S. Christmas culture after watching the movie. Although movies can provide an authentic way for students to learn more about foreign cultures, it is important for students to analyze cultural themes in the movies they watch to determine if their cultural perceptions based on the movies are accurate.