scholarly journals Teaching Anti-Utopian/Dystopian Fiction in RFL/EFL Classroom as Intercultural Awareness Raising Tool

2020 ◽  
pp. 102-112
Author(s):  
Tetiana Kleofastova ◽  
Natalia Vysotska ◽  
Oleksandr Muntian
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
Intercultural Competence ◽  
Substantial Part ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Intercultural Awareness ◽  
Dystopian Fiction ◽  
Cultural Codes ◽  
Globalizing World ◽  
Target Languages ◽  
Teaching Learning

The article sets out to explore and substantiate the effectiveness of using anti-Utopian and dystopian fiction in teaching intercultural communication. It is based on the lasting experience of teaching Russian and English languages and cultures to students from many European, Asian, and African countries trained as Russian and English philologists at the Kyiv National Linguistic University. Intercultural literacy is one of the conditions sine qua non for successful communications and career in the rapidly globalizing world. Intercultural awareness in the Foreign Language Classroom can be raised by incorporating literary texts written in target languages into the curriculum. In addition to being instrumental for acquiring linguistic prowess, they can also play a substantial part in fostering (inter)cultural competences in non-native speakers. The two texts by contemporary Russian and British writers (Tatiana Tolstaya’s The Slynx and Jeannette Winterson’s The Stone Gods) were selected as case studies due to their artistry in addressing familiar and relevant human concerns, while containing specific cultural codes to be deciphered and understood by the international students. It was established that the success of the teaching/learning process relies on the interactive dialogic qualities inherent in the texts under study and enabling comparative, interdisciplinary, and cross-cultural approaches to them, thus contributing to the formation of full-fledged intercultural speakers. As demonstrated by the article, current dystopian fiction may serve as an efficient tool in enhancing intercultural competence in international students.

scholarly journals Teaching Anti-Utopian/Dystopian Fiction in RFL/EFL Classroom as Intercultural Awareness Raising Tool

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tetiana Kleofastova ◽  
Natalia Vysotska ◽  
Oleksandr Muntian
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
Intercultural Competence ◽  
Substantial Part ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Intercultural Awareness ◽  
Dystopian Fiction ◽  
Cultural Codes ◽  
Globalizing World ◽  
Target Languages ◽  
Teaching Learning

The article sets out to explore and substantiate the effectiveness of using anti-Utopian and dystopian fiction in teaching intercultural communication. It is based on the lasting experience of teaching Russian and English languages and cultures to students from many European, Asian, and African countries trained as Russian and English philologists at the Kyiv National Linguistic University. Intercultural literacy is one of the conditions sine qua non for successful communications and career in the rapidly globalizing world. Intercultural awareness in the Foreign Language Classroom can be raised by incorporating literary texts written in target languages into the curriculum. In addition to being instrumental for acquiring linguistic prowess, they can also play a substantial part in fostering (inter)cultural competences in non-native speakers. The two texts by contemporary Russian and British writers (Tatiana Tolstaya’s The Slynx and Jeannette Winterson’s The Stone Gods) were selected as case studies due to their artistry in addressing familiar and relevant human concerns, while containing specific cultural codes to be deciphered and understood by the international students. It was established that the success of the teaching/learning process relies on the interactive dialogic qualities inherent in the texts under study and enabling comparative, interdisciplinary, and cross-cultural approaches to them, thus contributing to the formation of full-fledged intercultural speakers. As demonstrated by the article, current dystopian fiction may serve as an efficient tool in enhancing intercultural competence in international students.

Intercultural Conflict and Experiences of International Students in Turkey

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 202-213
Author(s):  
Abdulatif Hajjismael Ahmed ◽  
Osman Alfahim Osman Hamed ◽  
Svetla Gocheva
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
Intercultural Competence ◽  
Communication Style ◽  
Intercultural Conflict ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Intercultural Awareness ◽  
Phenomenological Research Design ◽  
Intercultural Conflicts ◽  
And Coping ◽  
Depth Interviews

AbstractConflict is a part of daily life and it can occur for many reasons. In an intercultural environment, both international and local people can face conflict due to their interactions. Even though there has been an exponential increase in the growth of international students in Turkey in recent years, little is known about their experiences in the realm of intercultural conflicts. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to assess the occurrence of intercultural conflicts among international students at Anadolu University. In particular, the study sought to examine possible intercultural conflicts this group of students might experience, international students’ intercultural awareness, the major sources of the intercultural conflict and how the international students cope with intercultural conflict. A qualitative research method with phenomenological research design was utilized and semi-structured in-depth interviews were used to gather data. The analysis of the study was organized into six themes, namely: awareness, approach, experience, communication style, worldview change, and coping strategy. Except for the last theme, the obtained data aligned with the literature. Findings revealed that the international students experienced intercultural conflicts mainly due to lack of intercultural competence. Based on these findings, recommendations for future studies were suggested.

scholarly journals Exploring intercultural competence through an intercultural extracurricular activity in Taiwan

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-109
Author(s):  
Kai Li Liu
Keyword(s):  
Extracurricular Activities ◽  
Intercultural Competence ◽  
Foreign Students ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Foreign Student ◽  
Depth Information ◽  
Extracurricular Activity ◽  
Language Programs ◽  
Intercultural Awareness ◽  
Communication Difficulties

Abstract This study used interviews to explore how 10 Taiwanese college students' intercultural competence was developed after participating in an intercultural extracurricular activity designed with a purpose to facilitate foreign students’ study in Taiwan and to promote meaningful home-foreign student contacts. In-depth information and narratives from the interviews were collected as evidence of intercultural competence development. The results showed all the interviewees appreciated the experience and felt it to have been of value to them in terms of building international friendships, heightening their intercultural awareness and the benefits of intercultural competence, and having more appreciation and better understanding of Taiwanese culture. Students also realized that a lack of understanding of Taiwanese culture could exacerbate communication difficulties. Students thus became aware of the importance of describing Taiwanese cultural practices in English and realized that more language practice was necessary for smoother communication. Suggestions for both extracurricular activities and language programs improvement in the future were also provided in the conclusion.

scholarly journals Pursuing goals of sustainable development and internationalization in higher education context

2021 ◽  
Vol 296 ◽  
pp. 08024
Author(s):  
Elena Makarova
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
International Students ◽  
Extracurricular Activities ◽  
Intercultural Competence ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Cross Cultural Communication ◽  
Leading Role ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Internationalization In Higher Education

The article concerns internationalization of higher education as a factor for pursuing sustainable development goals by developing university students’ global competences. A review of modern research on internationalization processes in different national contexts allowed to highlight the main challenges of interaction between domestic and international students as well as discuss possible solutions. Analyses of survey results, aimed at identifying the factors preventing effective cross-cultural communication in a non-linguistic Russian university, confirm the demand for students’ development of intercultural competence, which is considered to be most effective through the study of a foreign language. The paper shows significance of involvement of Russian and international students in joint classroom and extracurricular activities, which can become the basis for their future international cooperation in the field of implementation of innovative technologies and foster sustainable development goals. The leading role of university foreign languages departments in tackling issues of university internationalization is emphasized.

scholarly journals CLIL TEACHERS’ PERCEPTIONS OF INTERCULTURAL COMPETENCE IN PRIMARY EDUCATION

2017 ◽  
pp. 82-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisa Pérez Gracia ◽  
Ma. Elena Gómez Parra ◽  
Rocío Serrano Rodríguez
Keyword(s):  
Primary Education ◽  
Intercultural Competence ◽  
Conceptual Analysis ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Linguistic Competence ◽  
Teachers Perceptions ◽  
Intercultural Awareness ◽  
Quantitative Data Analysis ◽  
Open Question ◽  
Question Survey

CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) includes the development of intercultural awareness as one of its main axes. Therefore, the main objective of this research is to examine the perceptions that CLIL teachers have regarding Intercultural Competence (IC) and the elements that contribute to its development. Through an open-question survey, we analysed the opinions of 59 Primary Education CLIL teachers from Cordoba. For the analysis of the qualitative data, Atlas.ti has been used on its two options: the textual and the conceptual analysis, thus generating the corresponding networks. On the other hand, SPSS v. 21 was used for the quantitative data analysis. The results show that CLIL teachers define IC closely linked to linguistic competence, and that communicative activities play an important role.

Networking-Based Strategies of Intercultural Communicative Competence Development Among Kazakhstani University Students

2019 ◽  
pp. 197-210
Author(s):  
Azamat Akbarov
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Cultural Values ◽  
Intercultural Competence ◽  
Communicative Competence ◽  
Cultural Knowledge ◽  
Necessary Condition ◽  
Intercultural Communicative Competence ◽  
Intercultural Understanding ◽  
Intercultural Awareness ◽  
Language Communication

This chapter presents an empirical study of the intercultural communicative competence of students of Kazakhstani universities. The study results indicate that students should develop their cultural knowledge, intercultural receptivity, communication strategies, intercultural awareness etc. A number of issues related to the formation of intercultural competence in the process of teaching foreign-language communication, taking into account the cultural and mental differences of the native speakers, which is a necessary condition for a successful dialogue of cultures are also discussed. The concept of communicative competence in teaching foreign languages stipulates development of students' knowledge, skills and abilities that enable them to join the ethno-cultural values of the country of the studied language and use the foreign language in situations of intercultural understanding and cognition in practice. Conjunction of such knowledge, skills and abilities constitutes communicative competence. Based on the results of the research, proposals are made for the curriculum and teaching of intercultural communication and methods of developing intercultural communicative competence of students of Kazakhstan universities in a networked environment.

Tâches, interaction et présence à distance

2021 ◽  
pp. 65-74
Author(s):  
Christelle HOPPE
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
The Other ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Pedagogical Choices ◽  
The One ◽  
Teaching Learning ◽  
The University ◽  
Made In

This article presents the highlights of the learning experience within the teaching-learning scheme of French as an additional language as it was proposed to international students at the university to ensure pedagogical continuity during the health crisis between April and June 2020. Through vignettes that give an overview of the course, it proposes, on the one hand, to reflect on the pedagogical choices that were made in order to measure their effects effectively. On the other hand, it looks at the role of the tasks and the way in which they stimulate interaction, articulate or organise the cognitive, conative and socio-affective presence at a distance in this particular context. What emerges from the experience is that the flexible articulation of a set of tasks creates an organising framework that helps learners to shape their own curriculum while supporting their engagement. Overall, the pedagogical organisation of the device has led to potentially beneficial creative and socio-interactive use.

scholarly journals Iranian EFL Teachers’ Perceptions, Practices and Problems Regarding Raising Students’ Intercultural Awareness

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (7) ◽  
pp. 21
Author(s):  
Jafar Zamanian ◽  
Mahnaz Saeidi
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Intercultural Competence ◽  
Intercultural Communicative Competence ◽  
Training Time ◽  
Teachers Perceptions ◽  
Intercultural Awareness ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Mixed Method Design ◽  
Efl Teachers

<p>Intercultural approaches to language learning and teaching are strongly advocated and implemented in ESL contexts. However, little empirical research has addressed the extent to which such approaches are actually operationalized in EFL contexts and what the roles of the teachers are. This study investigated perceptions, practices and problems of 100 Iranian EFL teachers regarding raising students’ Intercultural Communicative Competence (ICC) awareness. Based on a mixed-method design, using questionnaire, observation, and interview, the findings indicated an apparent disparity between teachers’ perceptions about ICC and their current classroom practices. Teachers also identified and discussed a lack of training, time, and support to raise language learners’ ICC awareness. This study provides strong empirical evidence supporting the claim that it is difficult for EFL teachers to integrate culture into their teaching in order to develop learners’ intercultural competence.</p>

The academic and personal experiences of Mainland Chinese students enrolled in a Canadian Master of Education Program

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 177-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane P. Preston ◽  
Anhui Wang
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
Education Program ◽  
Intercultural Competence ◽  
Chinese Students ◽  
Chinese Student ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mainland Chinese ◽  
Mainland Chinese Students ◽  
Master Of Education

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to communicate the positive and challenging aspects of a Master of Education program, as perceived by Chinese students at an Atlantic Canadian university. Design/methodology/approach Assuming a qualitative methodology, 21 Mainland Chinese students participated in individual, paired, and focus group semi-structured interviews. Interviews were member checked. Data were analyzed through content analysis. The findings are discussed using Deardorff’s (2006, 2009) concept of intercultural competence. Findings Students perceived the best features of their educational experience to be personable instructors, their enhanced English skills, and practical course-based experiences embedded in the program. The main challenges were social isolation, English language requirements and related assignments, and theoretical expectations of the program. Research limitations/implications This study contains a somewhat small qualitative small sample size (i.e. 21 participants), therein, disabling any generalization of results. In other words, the data findings are unique and non-generalizable beyond the particular research case. However, transferability, which refers to the extent in which the results of an original study can be applied to similar people, contexts, or settings (Lincoln and Guba, 1985), may be applied to the findings if the reader deems the context of this study in alignment with his/her situation. Practical implications Approximately, 82 percent of Canadian universities rate internationalization as a top priority, supporting the need for research in this area. An implication of the study is that internationalization of higher education must be more than just the recruitment of international students. Universities have direct and fiduciaries responsibilities to support the academic needs, personal needs of their international students, as well as the intercultural competence of all students, instructors and staff. Originality/value There is a plethora of research documenting experiences of international students, in general, but such research is not directly transferrable to the Chinese student. The issues and problems encountered by Chinese international students are unique and should be addressed independently from international students. Moreover, a lot of the research that focuses on Chinese students enrolled in North American universities, predominantly, is conducted within the USA, and such research tends to spotlight the challenges only. In turn, the authors’ research addresses a specialized focus of the international Chinese student in Canada.

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