Promoting Intercultural Competence in the Norwegian EFL Classroom Through an Understanding of Agency and Choice in Border-Crossing Literature

Abstract

This thesis, Promoting Intercultural Competence in the Norwegian EFL Classroom through an Understanding of Agency in Border-Crossing Literature, aims to bridge the connection between integrating border-crossing literature in the classroom and developing intercultural competence. This is done through highlighting agency and choice within the border-crossing literature. In light of LK20, the National Reform of School Curriculums, intercultural competence is highlighted as a crucial skill that must be developed and integrated in students. Still, there are not many concrete suggestions or guidance as to how teachers should achieve this. This thesis highlights the value of border-crossing literature as a suggested answer to this conundrum, by offering a close analysis and emphasis on agency and choice in Chika Unigwe’s On Black Sisters’ Street and Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner. These two novels represent two contrasting border-crossing narratives that provide different insight into issues of migration, agency, identity, and choice. By emphasizing the importance of agency and choice in these novels, the reader must be willing to engage with topics such as privilege and prejudice through a scope of understanding. This is crucial in developing intercultural competence and is a central discussion throughout this thesis. By highlighting the importance of using border-crossing literature in combination with in-depth discussion and teaching of both historical and cultural context, this thesis hopes to present those interested with new ways of integrating literature in the classroom.