THE PEDAGOGICAL POTENTIAL OF AUTHENTIC FILMS IN DEVELOPING STUDENTS' INTERCULTURAL AWARENESS IN EFL CLASSROOMS

Intercultural awareness is an important component of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) education because learners need to understand how cultural values, social expectations, and communication styles influence meaning. Authentic films provide valuable opportunities to explore these dimensions through realistic dialogue, nonverbal communication, and culturally situated interactions. This paper examines the pedagogical potential of authentic films in developing students' intercultural awareness and discusses practical strategies for integrating audiovisual materials into EFL classrooms. It argues that structured film-based activities can encourage cultural comparison, critical reflection, perspective-taking, and respectful communication. Particular attention is given to film selection, guided viewing, post-viewing discussion, and the prevention of cultural stereotypes. The paper concludes that authentic films can strengthen intercultural learning when they are combined with clear educational objectives, appropriate language support, and reflective classroom practices.