Importance of Developing Intercultural Communicative Competence among Students of ESL (Special Reference to Jaffna Students)

Since English has been branded as an international language, teaching for linguistic competence cannot be isolated from teaching for intercultural competence. Yet intercultural communication has not been paid due attention to in ESL (English as a Second Language) teaching in Sri Lanka. It prompts us to realize the fact that Sri Lankan students of English may master English in terms of its grammar and linguistic aspects but encounter several problems in intercultural communication. This article aims to pay more attention to intercultural communication in English language teaching to develop students' intercultural communicative competence. Further, the article emphasizes increasingly important role of intercultural communication in English language teaching and the necessity to develop students' intercultural communicative competence. Sample learning and teaching activities are presented to be integrated in ESL teaching and learning. As per data elicited by the author, an enlightenment of the cultural norms and values of native speakers of English to