Ali A. Pourakbari - Faculty of English Language Department, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Isfahan, Iran
Hossein Heidari Tabrizi - Faculty of English Language Department, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Isfahan, Iran
Azizeh Chalak - Faculty of English Language Department, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Isfahan, Iran

The present study aims to explore the perspectives and perceived nature of thinking and understanding towards intercultural communicative competence (ICC) among International English major students. Accordingly, this innovative study employs the paradigm of mixed-method research, in which it comprises a qualitative phase followed by a quantitative phase. Participants of the first phase of the study are 30 undergraduate English major students in their third year at Khorasgan University in Isfahan, Iran; and participants of the second phase of the study are 30 international ESL students in their first year at Gonzaga University, in Washington, U.S.A. where the researcher completed his B.A. and M.A. The analysis of the innovative narratives in the first phase of the study indicated that participants have diverse viewpoints towards intercultural encounters. The findings of the statistical analysis of the second phase of the study showed that the most important individual difference variables directly influencing students’ intercultural communicative competence are their communication apprehension and their perceived communicative competence.

Attitudes, Encounters, Intercultural Communicative Competence, Iranian EFL Students, Perceived Competence