The Impact of Language Ability on Intercultural Skills Development

Sam S S Lau; Emma Zhang

Abstract

This presentation reports research findings on the correlation between students’ language ability and improvement in intercultural effectiveness skills and student confidence in an international virtual exchange (IVE) project. In the 2020-2021 academic year, 130 students from Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), 40 students from Northwest University in Xi’an, China, and 160 students from Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia, participated in an eight-week long IVE project as partial fulfillment of the requirements of their for-credit courses. Findings indicate that although all students participated in the same IVE project, they did not achieve the same level of benefits. The Intercultural Effectiveness Scale (IES) results indicate Hong Kong students with multi-linguistic abilities experienced the most growth, showing significant improvement in three of the nine areas of the IES, as well as significant overall growth. However, no significant improvement on the IES was observed from Chinese or American students. Results of this study suggest that students’ linguistic abilities should be considered in the design of an IVE program. This presentation concludes with ways to include a variety of modes of communication to foster inclusiveness and allows students from all linguistic backgrounds to benefit from IVE.

Original language	English
Publication status	Published - 13 Oct 2022
Event	AAC&U Conference on Global Learning : Transforming Global Learning Practice: Time for Action - Virtual , Washington DC, United States Duration: 12 Oct 2022 → 14 Oct 2022 https://www.aacu.org/event/2022-conference-on-global-learning?utm_source=Informz&utm_medium=Email_Header_E4&utm_campaign=GL22REG&utm_id=Conference_Page (Conference website) https://www.aacu.org/conferences/2022-conference-on-global-learning-redirect-page/schedule-at-a-glance (Conference program)

Conference

Conference	AAC&U Conference on Global Learning
Country/Territory	United States
City	Washington DC
Period	12/10/22 → 14/10/22
Internet address	https://www.aacu.org/event/2022-conference-on-global-learning?utm_source=Informz&utm_medium=Email_Header_E4&utm_campaign=GL22REG&utm_id=Conference_Page (Conference website) https://www.aacu.org/conferences/2022-conference-on-global-learning-redirect-page/schedule-at-a-glance (Conference program)

User-Defined Keywords

International virtual exchange (IVE)
Computer Mediated Communication (CMC)
Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL)

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Cite this

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title = "The Impact of Language Ability on Intercultural Skills Development",

abstract = "This presentation reports research findings on the correlation between students{\textquoteright} language ability and improvement in intercultural effectiveness skills and student confidence in an international virtual exchange (IVE) project. In the 2020-2021 academic year, 130 students from Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), 40 students from Northwest University in Xi{\textquoteright}an, China, and 160 students from Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia, participated in an eight-week long IVE project as partial fulfillment of the requirements of their for-credit courses. Findings indicate that although all students participated in the same IVE project, they did not achieve the same level of benefits. The Intercultural Effectiveness Scale (IES) results indicate Hong Kong students with multi-linguistic abilities experienced the most growth, showing significant improvement in three of the nine areas of the IES, as well as significant overall growth. However, no significant improvement on the IES was observed from Chinese or American students. Results of this study suggest that students{\textquoteright} linguistic abilities should be considered in the design of an IVE program. This presentation concludes with ways to include a variety of modes of communication to foster inclusiveness and allows students from all linguistic backgrounds to benefit from IVE. ",

keywords = "International virtual exchange (IVE), Computer Mediated Communication (CMC), Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL)",

author = "Lau, {Sam S S} and Emma Zhang",

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note = "AAC&U Conference on Global Learning : Transforming Global Learning Practice: Time for Action ; Conference date: 12-10-2022 Through 14-10-2022",

url = "https://www.aacu.org/event/2022-conference-on-global-learning?utm_source=Informz&utm_medium=Email_Header_E4&utm_campaign=GL22REG&utm_id=Conference_Page, https://www.aacu.org/conferences/2022-conference-on-global-learning-redirect-page/schedule-at-a-glance",

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TY - CONF

T1 - The Impact of Language Ability on Intercultural Skills Development

AU - Lau, Sam S S

AU - Zhang, Emma

PY - 2022/10/13

Y1 - 2022/10/13

N2 - This presentation reports research findings on the correlation between students’ language ability and improvement in intercultural effectiveness skills and student confidence in an international virtual exchange (IVE) project. In the 2020-2021 academic year, 130 students from Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), 40 students from Northwest University in Xi’an, China, and 160 students from Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia, participated in an eight-week long IVE project as partial fulfillment of the requirements of their for-credit courses. Findings indicate that although all students participated in the same IVE project, they did not achieve the same level of benefits. The Intercultural Effectiveness Scale (IES) results indicate Hong Kong students with multi-linguistic abilities experienced the most growth, showing significant improvement in three of the nine areas of the IES, as well as significant overall growth. However, no significant improvement on the IES was observed from Chinese or American students. Results of this study suggest that students’ linguistic abilities should be considered in the design of an IVE program. This presentation concludes with ways to include a variety of modes of communication to foster inclusiveness and allows students from all linguistic backgrounds to benefit from IVE.

AB - This presentation reports research findings on the correlation between students’ language ability and improvement in intercultural effectiveness skills and student confidence in an international virtual exchange (IVE) project. In the 2020-2021 academic year, 130 students from Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), 40 students from Northwest University in Xi’an, China, and 160 students from Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia, participated in an eight-week long IVE project as partial fulfillment of the requirements of their for-credit courses. Findings indicate that although all students participated in the same IVE project, they did not achieve the same level of benefits. The Intercultural Effectiveness Scale (IES) results indicate Hong Kong students with multi-linguistic abilities experienced the most growth, showing significant improvement in three of the nine areas of the IES, as well as significant overall growth. However, no significant improvement on the IES was observed from Chinese or American students. Results of this study suggest that students’ linguistic abilities should be considered in the design of an IVE program. This presentation concludes with ways to include a variety of modes of communication to foster inclusiveness and allows students from all linguistic backgrounds to benefit from IVE.

KW - International virtual exchange (IVE)

KW - Computer Mediated Communication (CMC)

KW - Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL)

M3 - Conference abstract

T2 - AAC&U Conference on Global Learning

Y2 - 12 October 2022 through 14 October 2022

ER -