Global Trends, Gaps, and Methodological Insights: Intercultural Research in Indonesian Applied Linguistics and Language Education
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29333/ejecs/2732Keywords:
Intercultural competence, Applied linguistics in Indonesia, Language education, Multilingual and multicultural context, Systematic literature review (SLR), PRISMA frameworkAbstract
Intercultural competence has become increasingly vital in multilingual, multicultural societies, especially in schools where language is used to resolve cultural differences. In Indonesia, a country with more than 700 languages and 1,300 ethnic groups, applied linguistics has enormous potential to promote inclusive and culturally responsive education. However, the state of intercultural research in Indonesian applied linguistics remains fragmented, thematically limited, and methodologically constrained. This study performed a mixed-methods systematic literature review (SLR) of 93 peer-reviewed publications from 2000 to 2024, utilizing the PRISMA framework as a guide. The results show that research output has risen sharply since 2019, but the field is mostly made up of qualitative methods and lacks experimental or longitudinal designs. The majority of published research concentrates on foreign language education, with scant emphasis on curriculum development, educator perspectives, or policy integration. Researchers rarely use established models, like Intercultural Communicative Competence and Deardorff’s Process Model, and they seldom utilize advanced analytical methods. These gaps highlight the necessity for methodological diversification, theoretical integration, and expansive thematic investigation. By linking global frameworks to the Indonesian context, this study enhances international dialogue on intercultural education and provides strategic guidance for forthcoming research, policy formulation, and pedagogical advancement.
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Notes on Contributors
Yeni Artanti, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Languages, Arts, and Culture/Fakultas Bahasa, Seni, dan Budaya Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY); Coordinator of the Master’s Program in Applied Linguistics or Linguistik Terapan S2, Jl. Colombo 1, Karang Malang Sleman Yogyakarta, Post Code 55281, Indonesia. Her academic background and teaching activities span foreign language education, literature pedagogy, translation and transcreation studies, and intercultural communication.
Azhari Azhari is a coordinator of Research Department & Laboratory at Winaya Inspirasi Nusantara Foundation. His research interests include applied linguistics, sociolinguistics, neurolinguistics, clinical linguistics, speech disorder, language pediatrics, and language pathology. Currently pursuing a postgraduate degree in Applied Linguistics at University of Pannonia, Hungary.
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