Intercultural Practices and Deep Learning in Indonesian Islamic Secondary EFL Classrooms: A Comparative Study

Research Aims: This study examines how intercultural practices are enacted in deep-learning-oriented English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classrooms in two Islamic secondary schools in Central Java, Indonesia. It also compares practices across schools and explores the institutional and contextual conditions that shape their enactment. Design/methodology/approach: A qualitative comparative case-study design was employed at SMP Islamic Green School Salatiga and SMPIT Nurul Islam Tengaran. Data were collected through classroom observations, semi-structured interviews with English teachers, vice principals for curriculum affairs and selected students, document analysis, and field notes. The data were analysed thematically and compared within and across cases. Research Findings: Intercultural practices in both schools were embedded in regular English lessons through cultural exploration, comparison, perspective-taking, collaborative interaction, meaningful communication, reflection, and respectful engagement with different viewpoints. However, their emphases differed. Islamic Green School foregrounded openness, creativity, environmental awareness, global perspectives, and student autonomy, while SMPIT Nurul Islam placed stronger emphasis on discipline, Islamic character formation, moral reflection, and teacher-guided value-based learning. These patterns were shaped by institutional identity, teacher beliefs, school culture, curriculum implementation, and institutional support. Theoretical Contribution/Originality: The study offers a contextual, cross-case account of how classroom practices associated with intercultural communicative competence (ICC) are enacted in Islamic EFL settings. It treats deep-learning-oriented pedagogy as the instructional context, not as a proven cause of ICC development. The findings concern observable practices and opportunities for intercultural engagement, rather than measured student competence or learning gains.