ERIC Number: EJ1140259
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017
Pages: 26
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2162-3104
EISSN: N/A
Why Do International Students Avoid Communicating with Americans?
Wang, I-Ching; Ahn, Janet N.; Kim, Hyojin J.; Lin-Siegler, Xiaodong
Journal of International Students, v7 n3 p555-580 2017
We explore how the communication concerns of non-native English speakers (NNS) and Americans relate to their perceptions of each other and decisions to interact. NNS identified their concerns in communicating with Americans, the perceived causes of their concerns, and the strategies they would employ to address these concerns. Americans noted their perceptions of NNS' (heavy and mild) accents and identified factors that influence their perceptions of NNS and decisions to communicate with NNS. Results revealed that the more NNS attribute their communication concerns to Americans' bias, the more likely they would avoid interacting with Americans. Results also suggested that Americans show a more favorable attitude toward mild accent NNS. We discuss the implications these findings have for international education and future research.
Descriptors: Foreign Students, Intercultural Communication, English (Second Language), Dialects, Pronunciation, English Language Learners, Adult Students, Correlation, Student Surveys, Difficulty Level, Native Speakers, Language Attitudes, Interviews
Journal of International Students. 4005 Spurgeon Drive #6, Monroe, LA 71203. Tel: 318-600-5743; Fax: 318-342-3131; e-mail: jistudents.submission@gmail.com; Web site: http://jistudents.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Adult Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A