EFL Learners’ Perceptions of Factors Contributing to their Cultural Intelligence

This study aims to provide qualitative insights from interviews with preparatory program students, examining factors that influence cultural intelligence (CQ) development. To achieve this, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners to explore factors affecting their CQ beyond English language learning alone. Content analysis, following a six-step approach, was used to analyze the qualitative data, identifying four main factors influencing CQ: individual effort, social interaction, internet, and classroom. The interviews showed that individual effort and social interaction, including engagement on social media, significantly impact CQ development. When asked about CQ improvement activities, most students indicated a lack of dedicated cultural activities but showed a strong interest in them. This study adds to the existing literature by emphasizing the importance of cultural activities within language education. Keywords: culture, cultural intelligence, cultural intelligence development, English as a foreign language.