Language Festival and Multicultural Education Promoting Cross-Cultural Communication in Islamic Boarding Schools

Abstract

This study examines the role of language festivals in promoting multicultural education and enhancing cross-cultural communication in Islamic boarding schools. Using a qualitative case study approach, the research was conducted in a pesantren environment that implements Arabic and English language festivals as part of its educational program. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and document analysis involving students, teachers, and organizers. The findings reveal that language festivals function as experiential learning spaces that facilitate the internalization of multicultural values such as tolerance, respect, and inclusivity. In addition, these activities significantly improve students’ intercultural communicative competence, as reflected in their ability to use language contextually, adapt to diverse cultural interactions, and collaborate across backgrounds. The study also finds that festival-based learning contributes to the creation of an inclusive and collaborative educational environment. Theoretically, this research strengthens intercultural communicative competence and multicultural education frameworks by demonstrating their practical implementation in pesantren contexts. Practically, it suggests that language festivals should be systematically integrated into educational programs to support both linguistic and intercultural development. This study contributes to the growing discourse on innovative, experiential, and culturally responsive pedagogies in Islamic education.