An empirical investigation of EFL teachers' cultural perceptions toward the adoption of ICT : the case of secondary schools in Algeria

Abstract EN

Culture has been widely recognised as a major factor affecting teachers' use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

However, there is very little empirical work that examines cultural perceptions of teachers toward the adoption of ICT in the Arab world.

This paper is an attempt to investigate the cultural perceptions of Secondary School English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers in Algeria toward ICT.

A questionnaire and semi-structured interview were used in order to collect the data.

The findings of the study revealed that EFL teachers demonstrated a moderate positive cultural perception of ICT and were enthusiastic about the cross-cultural aspects of ICT.

They were markedly concerned about the proliferation of morally and culturally inappropriate websites and the dangers they may pose for the Algerian students.

The informants expressed their interest in having computers that reflect the identity and culture of an Arabic-speaking society.

The findings of this research can be useful for decision makers in Algeria, and other Arab countries, to gain a better understanding of the cultural factors that determine teachers' use of technology.