Influence of intercultural contact on intercultural competence and willlingness to communicate

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25370743
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Foreign language education
• Research Institution: Kansai University
• Principal Investigator: Yashima Tomoko 関西大学, 外国語学部, 教授 (60210233)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): TANAKA Tomoko 岡山大学, 社会文化科学研究科, 教授 (40227153)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: コミュニケーション志向性 / スタディ・アブロード / 国際的志向性 / 英語使用不安 / 英語学習動機 / 第二言語習得 / 異文化接触 / グローバル人材

Outline of Final Research Achievements

A series of studies were conducted to investigate the effects of study abroad experiences on young participants’ willingness to communicate in English and intercultural competence. A mixed-method approach was adopted, with a cross-sectional quantitative study, qualitative studies using interviews and observation as well as an interventional study. The results indicate that students acquired skills and enhanced willingness to communicate in academic discussion situations as well as in building interpersonal relations during study abroad. A quantitative study confirmed that those who experienced study abroad and/ or had other intercultural experiences had higher level of international posture including open attitudes toward intercultural partners and interest in international affairs.

Free Research Field

応用言語学・異文化コミュニケーション