The digital bridge: perceived impact of digital literacy on intercultural communicative competence (icc) among malaysian esl learners

In the present era of internationalisation, fostering Intercultural Communicative Competence (ICC) through digital education is essential particularly for English as a Second Language (ESL) learners in Malaysia’s multicultural context. This aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) indicator 4.4.1, which focuses on skills for a digital world. This study examines the perceived impact of digital literacy on intercultural communicative competence among ESL learners in higher education. By employing a qualitative approach, data were collected from a sample of eleven participants through open-ended questionnaires and were then analysed thematically. Findings revealed that communication tools were the most preferred digital literacy tools for cross-cultural interaction and cultural awareness as conceptualised in Byram’s ICC model. Participants reported positive experiences in using digital platforms to improve their intercultural competencies. The study also highlighted that fostering learners’ digital literacy is crucial for promoting cultural tolerance, improving communication skills, and facilitating knowledge exchange. This research hopes to contribute to the existing literature and offer insights for educators in implementing digital tools to enhance students' intercultural communication skills in the ESL classroom pedagogy for global citizenship.