ERIC Number: EJ1211603
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-1449-5554
EISSN: N/A
The Effects of International Email and Skype Interactions on Computer-Mediated Communication Perceptions and Attitudes and Intercultural Competence in Taiwanese Students
Hsu, Shih-Yin; Beasley, Robert E.
Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, v35 n1 p149-162 2019
Learners in an English as a foreign language (EFL) context seldom have the opportunity to interact with people from other cultures and experience intercultural communication in English to foster their intercultural competence (IC), whether inside or outside of the classroom. In an effort to create a brand new opportunity to boost target language interactions, this study utilised two computer-mediated communication (CMC) tools, namely email and Skype, to involve Taiwanese EFL university students in an intercultural project to discuss interesting and cultural topics with university students from the USA. Data were collected from Taiwanese students' reflective journals, a post-project questionnaire, and interviews. The study's results indicate that despite encountering numerous problems initially, Taiwanese students eventually have strong positive perceptions and attitudes toward intercultural CMC learning experiences, which can facilitate efficient online discussions with native speakers of the target language and can promote IC. Thus, endeavours to implement such expedient, innovative, and beneficial methods in foreign language courses are encouraged.
Descriptors: Electronic Mail, Synchronous Communication, Computer Mediated Communication, Student Attitudes, Foreign Countries, Intercultural Communication, College Students, Student Projects, Second Language Learning, English for Special Purposes, Learning Experience, Computer Uses in Education, Instructional Effectiveness
Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education. Ascilite Secretariat, P.O. Box 44, Figtree, NSW, Australia. Tel: +61-8-9367-1133; e-mail: info@ascilite.org.au; Web site: https://ajet.org.au/index.php/AJET
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Taiwan; United States
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A