scholarly journals Summer Study-Abroad Program as Experiential Learning: Examining Similarities and Differences in International Communication

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-187
Author(s):  
Kenneth J. Levine ◽  
Michelle E. Garland
Keyword(s):  
Study Abroad ◽  
Cultural Differences ◽  
Intercultural Communication ◽  
Intercultural Sensitivity ◽  
International Communication ◽  
Intercultural Communication Competence ◽  
Communication Competency ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Study Abroad Program ◽  
Summer Study

This paper examines how the study-abroad experience enhances intercultural communication competence. This study used Bennett’s (1986, 1993) model of ethnorelative typology of acceptance, adaptation, and integration to explore intercultural communication competency. Central to intercultural communication competency is intercultural sensitivity and modified perceptions of cultural differences. A pre-test/post-test open-ended questionnaire design was utilized to uncover what was learned by students while participating in a four-week summer study-abroad program in Paris and Brussels. Based on 110 participants over 16 years, results indicated that both sensitivity to and understanding of cultural differences are heightened as a result of the study-abroad experience. Further, these findings provided support for outcomes showing attainment of intercultural communication competency learning objectives.

scholarly journals Near Peers Impacting Local Thai Tutors’ Intercultural Communication Competence Development

2021 ◽  
Vol 2020 (1) ◽  
pp. 161
Author(s):  
Brad Deacon ◽  
Kevin Ottoson
Keyword(s):  
Study Abroad ◽  
Intercultural Communication ◽  
Role Models ◽  
Communication Competence ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Intercultural Communication Competence ◽  
Local Environments ◽  
Home Context ◽  
Internationalization At Home ◽  
Study Abroad Program

Most study-abroad research has focused on visitors’ development overseas; however, fewer studies have investigated hosts’ development through intergroup contact experience in home environments. This study, which is situated within a larger project, builds on earlier research (see Deacon & Pholboon, 2020) that examined the intercultural communication competence (ICC) development of 8 local Thai tutor hosts (N = 8) who were buddy partnered with 8 Japanese university student visitors during a short-term study-abroad program. In the present study, a qualitative semi-structured interview approach helped to determine the effect and influence that one significant factor, near-peer role models (NPRMs), had on tutor hosts’ cognitive, affective, and behavioral dimensions in their “Internationalization-at-Home” context. Findings revealed the perceived impact that previous senpai tutor NPRMs had had on present tutors’ L2 self-efficacy, imagined and actual cross-cultural friendships, and ICC ability. Implications for effectively supporting hosts’ ICC development in local environments are offered. 従来の留学研究は、訪問者側の成長に焦点を合わせることが多かったが、自国環境における異種集団との接触を通じた受入側の成長を調査する研究は少なかった。本論は、短期留学中の8人の日本人大学生とバディを組んだ受入側8人のタイ人チューター(N=8)を対象とした異文化コミュニケーション能力に関する先行研究(Deacon & Pholboon, 2020) に基づいている。本論は質的な半構造化面接により、身近なロールモデルの存在が 重要な要素として受入側 チューターの「内なる国際化」における認知的、情緒的、行動的な側面に影響を及ぼすことを明らかにした。結果として、過去の先輩チューターのロールモデルが、現チューターの第二言語における自己効力感や、想像上または実際の異文化を超えた友情、そして異文化コミュニケーション能力に影響をもたらすことがわかった。本論は、受入側の異文化コミュニケーション能力の向上を効果的に支援するための示唆を与えるものである。

Assessing Language Acquisition and Intercultural Sensitivity Development in Relation to Study Abroad Program Design

2004 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 219-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lilli Engle ◽  
John Engle
Keyword(s):  
Language Acquisition ◽  
Study Abroad ◽  
International Education ◽  
Program Design ◽  
Intercultural Sensitivity ◽  
Outcomes Assessment ◽  
Statistical Assessment ◽  
Preliminary Examination ◽  
Study Abroad Program

The complexity of international education is such that it is far from easy to move towards significant, objectively measurable, and comparable outcomes. What follows is the preliminary examination of one attempt to generate and interpret meaningful statistical assessment of the study abroad experience, within the context of specifically defined study abroad program types. We will examine the data thus far generated, suggest its limitations, and appeal for a continued gathering of information. We will suggest a structured, coordinated, profession-wide assessment effort that will, we hope, gradually reveal a useful correlation between study abroad learning and the input of program variables such as duration, housing, experiential work and on-site mentoring. If, as a profession, study abroad is to invest in outcomes assessment, it would be sensible for such efforts to utilize profession-wide definitions and standards.

Learning about Culture and Teaching During a Short-Term Immersion-Based Study Abroad

2017 ◽  
pp. 172-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara A. Bradley ◽  
Andrea M. Emerson
Keyword(s):  
Preservice Teachers ◽  
Study Abroad ◽  
Culturally Responsive Teaching ◽  
Culturally Responsive ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Responsive Teaching ◽  
Cultural Backgrounds ◽  
Field Placements ◽  
Study Abroad Program ◽  
Summer Study

Culturally responsive teaching is grounded in an understanding of students' cultural backgrounds. However, how do preservice teachers learn about culture? While coursework and field placements can help preservice teachers to begin to understand what culture is, a study abroad program in which participants are immersed in a community and schools can help them move beyond surface-level ideas of culture to a deeper understanding of it. This chapter describes a 4-week summer study abroad program in Italy in which each preservice teacher lives with a host family and observes and teaches in an Italian school. It presents findings from preservice teachers' reflections on culture and teaching based on blog entries. Finally, it provides suggestions for future research related to better understanding and preparing preservice teachers to engage in culturally responsive teaching.

scholarly journals Investigation on the Intercultural Sensitivity of English Teachers in Chinese Elementary Schools

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (12) ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Xinglei Jia
Keyword(s):  
Intercultural Communication ◽  
Intercultural Sensitivity ◽  
English Teachers ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Five Dimensions ◽  
Intercultural Communication Competence ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Globalized World

The development of technology has driven human beings into a globalized world, which requires intercultural communication competence (ICC). As its affective aspect, the subject of intercultural sensitivity (IS) is being heatedly discussed nowadays. This study focuses on the importance of intercultural sensitivity (IS) among Chinese EFL teachers and attempts to explore their current level and the possible reasons for it. For this purpose, questionnaires were distributed to 29 Chinese elementary school English teachers, and the results from the questionnaire showed that the IS level of these teachers is satisfactory, scoring high in five dimensions: interaction engagement, respect for cultural differences, interaction confidence, interaction attentiveness, and interaction enjoyment. The follow-up interview suggested that the high IS level may be a result from intercultural communication training. Moreover, this research found that Chinese teachers were more engaged and enjoyed less in view of scarce opportunities for communication in authentic cross-cultural contexts. Several suggestions and implications for further research have also been included in this article.

scholarly journals Building Intercultural Competence Through Virtual Team Collaboration Across Global Classrooms

2019 ◽  
Vol 83 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-79
Author(s):  
Stephanie Swartz ◽  
Belem Barbosa ◽  
Izzy Crawford
Keyword(s):  
Intercultural Communication ◽  
Virtual Teams ◽  
Intercultural Competence ◽  
Intercultural Sensitivity ◽  
Team Collaboration ◽  
Intercultural Interaction ◽  
Communication Competency ◽  
Negative Results ◽  
Intercultural Competency ◽  
Before And After

By means of a cross-cultural virtual teams project involving classrooms in Scotland, Germany, and Portugal, students were exposed to the challenges of collaborating internationally with the intention of increasing their intercultural competency. Intercultural sensitivity and intercultural communication competency were measured using responses to surveys before and after the 6-week project. Students reported, among other aspects, a heightened awareness of the difficulties of intercultural communication. Despite a general appreciation of the project and its outcomes, negative results, such as an increased dislike of intercultural interaction, emerged. Contradictory results warrant further investigation with data from future collaborations.

The Importance of Intercultural Learning in Study Abroad

2020 ◽  
pp. 923-938
Author(s):  
Steven T. Duke
Keyword(s):  
Study Abroad ◽  
Intercultural Communication ◽  
College Graduates ◽  
Intercultural Learning ◽  
Study Abroad Programs ◽  
Intercultural Communication Competence ◽  
Culturally Based ◽  
The World ◽  
Learning Programs ◽  
Lead Study

College graduates in the 2010's will work in a world that is more globalized than ever before. Graduates need to be prepared to work with people from many parts of the world. Study abroad programs offer an ideal context in which teachers-in-training can learn about intercultural communication and different patterns of culturally-based behavior. This chapter first defines a series of key words; including culture, intercultural communication, intercultural communication competence, and intercultural learning. The chapter then provides an in-depth look at intercultural learning programs and courses developed and implemented by a variety of United States universities and study abroad organizations. Intentional, holistic, and research-driven methods of instruction are described. Suggestions and recommendations are also provided. This chapter also advocates that institutions implement cultural mentoring for faculty who lead study abroad programs.

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