Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-42gr6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-18T20:22:11.728Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

A survey of Internet-mediated intercultural foreign language education in China

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2009

Liang Wang  and
James A. Coleman
Liang Wang
Affiliation:
Department of Languages, The Open University, Stuart Hall Building, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, United Kingdom (e-mail: L.Wang@open.ac.uk, J.A.Coleman@open.ac.uk)
James A. Coleman
Affiliation:
Department of Languages, The Open University, Stuart Hall Building, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, United Kingdom (e-mail: L.Wang@open.ac.uk, J.A.Coleman@open.ac.uk)
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

In all educational contexts, technological developments and changes in pedagogical theory mean that any picture of current practice and attitudes must be dynamic. In many countries, the learning outcomes of foreign language courses now include intercultural communicative competence (ICC), although the precise model for teaching ICC varies even across the English-speaking world. Internet-mediated approaches are widely used to support intercultural learning. In China, the geographical scale of the country and the speed and extent of contemporary socio-economic evolution, allied to long-established and distinctive cultures of learning, make the interface of new technologies and intercultural learning objectives particularly interesting and significant. A small-scale study of college teachers’ and learners’ perceptions of intercultural classroom instruction, with a special focus on Internet mediation, was conducted in mid-2007, using questionnaires and semi-structured questions, to explore the professional, personal and technical issues associated with Internet-mediated learning of languages and cultures. The results show that textbooks remain the predominant authority, while Internet tools are used as a source of information rather than a means of communication. Findings suggest recognition by teachers and students of the potential of the medium, and of the validity of intercultural goals for foreign language classes, although there are some divergences between the views of teachers and students. However, it is suggested that national policy, local incentives and resources and above all educational traditions do not yet allow optimal use of Internet-mediated approaches.

Keywords

Internet-mediated intercultural foreign language educationChinese tertiary educationIntercultural communicative competenceInternetClassroom instructionBlended instruction
Type
Original Article
Information
ReCALL , Volume 21 , Issue 1 , January 2009 , pp. 113 - 129
Copyright
Copyright © European Association for Computer Assisted Language Learning 2009

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Alptekin, C. (2002) Towards Intercultural Communicative Competence in ELT. ELT Journal, 56(1): 57–64.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Belz, J. A.Thorne, S. L. (2006) Introduction: Internet-mediated Intercultural Foreign Language Education and the Intercultural Speaker. In: Belz, J. A. and Thorne, S. L. (eds.), AAUSC 2005: Internet-mediated Intercultural Foreign Language Education. Boston: Thomson Heinle.Google Scholar
Byram, M. (1997) Teaching and Assessing Intercultural Communicative Competence. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters Ltd.Google Scholar
Byram, M., Nichols, A.Stevens, D. (eds.) (2001) Developing Intercultural Competence in Practice. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters Ltd.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Canale, M.Swain, M. (1980) Theoretical bases of communicative approaches to second language teaching and testing. Applied Linguistics, 1: 11–47.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Conole, G. (2008) Listening to the learner voice: The ever changing landscape of technology use for language students. ReCALL, 20(2): 124–140.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Corbett, J. (2003) An Intercultural Approach to English Language Teaching. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters Ltd.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cortazzi, M.Jin, L. (1996) Cultures of learning: Language classrooms in China. In: Coleman, H. (ed.), Society and the Language Classroom. Cambridge: CUP.Google Scholar
Debski, R. (2006) Project-based Language Teaching with Technology. Sydney: National Centre for English Language Teaching and Research.Google Scholar
Dörnyei, Z. (2003) Questionnaires in Second Language Research: Construction, Administration, and Processing. Mahwah: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.Google Scholar
Furstenberg, G., Levet, S., English, K.Maillet, K. (2001) Giving A Virtual Voice to the Silent Language of Culture: The CULTURA Project. Language Learning and Technology, 5(1): 55–102. http://llt.msu.edu/vol5num1/furstenberg/default.htmlGoogle Scholar
Goodfellow, R.Hewling, A. (2005) Reconceptualising Culture in Virtual Learning Environments: from an ‘essentialist’ to a ‘negotiated’ perspective. E-learning, 2(4): 355–367.Google Scholar
Gu, P. (2005) Multilingual Momentum: Danger and Opportunity. Essential Teacher, 12–13. http://www.tesol.org/s_TESOL/bin.asp?CID=1157&DID=5060&DOC=FILE.PDFGoogle Scholar
Gu, P. (ed.) (2006) CALL Theory and Practice. Shanghai: Fudan University Press.Google Scholar
Gu, Y. (2002) From Classroom to Distance to Internet. Beiwai Online Newsletter. http://www.beiwaionline.com/newsletter/newsletter2/zhuanjialuntan.htmGoogle Scholar
Gu, Y. (2006) An ecological model of e-learning in a Chinese context: critical reflections of five years’ practice of e-learning management in the BIOE. Studies in Continuous Education, 28(2): 99–120.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Guilherme, M. (2000) Intercultural competence. In: Byram, M. (ed.), Routledge Encylopaedia of Language Teaching and Learning. London: Routledge.Google Scholar
Hu, C. (2003) E-literacy and Intercultural Education. Journal of Ningbo University (Educational Science), 25(4): 62–64.Google Scholar
Hu, W. (1999) Introduction to Intercultural Communication. Beijing: Foreign Language Teaching and Research Publishing House.Google Scholar
Hymes, D. (1972) On Communicative Competence. In: Pride, J. B. and Holmes, J. (eds.), Sociolinguistics: Selected Readings. Harmondsworth: Penguin.Google Scholar
Jin, L.Cortazzi, M. (1998) The culture the learner brings: a bridge or a barrier? In: Byram, M. and Fleming, M. (eds.), Language Learning in Intercultural Perspective: approaches through drama and ethnography. Cambridge: CUP.Google Scholar
Jordan, S. (2002) Intercultural issues in foreign language learning and ethnographic approaches to study abroad. http://www.llas.ac.uk/resources/goodpractice.aspx?resourceid=100Google Scholar
Kramsch, C. (1998) The privilege of the intercultural speaker. In: Byram, M. and Fleming, M. (eds.), Language Learning in Intercultural Perspective: approaches through drama and ethnography. Cambridge: CUP.Google Scholar
Lafford, P. A.Lafford, B. A. (1997) Learning Language and Culture with Internet Technologies. In: Bush, M. D. and Terry, R. M. (eds.), Technology-Enhanced Language Learning. Chicago: National Textbook Company.Google Scholar
Lee, L. (1999) Going Beyond Classroom Learning: Acquiring Cultural Knowledge via On-line Newspapers and Intercultural Exchanges via On-line Chatrooms. CALICO Journal, 16(2): 101–120.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Levy, M.Stockwell, G. (2006) CALL Dimensions: Options and Issues in Computer-Assisted Language Learning. Mahwah and London: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.Google Scholar
Liaw, M. L. (2006) E-learning and the Development of Intercultural Competence. Language Learning and Technology, 10(3): 49–64. http://llt.msu.edu/vol10num3/liaw/Google Scholar
Liddicoat, A. J. (2004) Internationalisation as education. Part 1 of Models of intercultural learning and development http://www.unisanet.unisa.edu.au/learningconnection/staff/intrnt/report/models.pdfGoogle Scholar
Liu, Y., Lin, F.Wang, X. (2003) Education practice and analysing behaviour of students in a Web-based learning environment: an exploratory study from China. Online Information Review, 27(2): 110–119.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Macfadyen, L. P. (2005) Internet-Mediated Communication at the Cultural Interface. In: Ghaoui, C. (ed.), Encyclopedia of Human-Computer Interaction. Hershey, PA: The Idea Group.Google Scholar
Ministry of Education (2000) Gaodeng Xuexiao Yingyu Zhuanye Yingyu Jiaoxue Dagang (English Course Syllabus for HE English Majors). Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education Publishing House.Google Scholar
Ministry of Education (2004) Daxue Yingyu Kecheng Jiaoxue Yaoqiu (College English Course Syllabus). http://www.edu.cn/20040120/3097997.shtmlGoogle Scholar
Moore, Z., Morales, B.Carel, S. (1998) Technology and Teaching Culture: Results of a State Survey of Foreign Language Teachers. CALICO Journal, 15(1–3): 109–125.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Müller-Hartmann, A. (2000) The Role of Tasks in Promoting Intercultural Learning in Electronic Learning Networks. Language Learning and Technology, 4(2): 129–147. http://llt.msu.edu/vol4num2/muller/default.htmlGoogle Scholar
Müller-Hartmann, A. (2006) Learning How to Teach Intercultural Communicative Competence via Telecollaboration: A Model for Language Teacher Education. In: Belz, J. A. and Thorne, S. L. (eds.), AAUSC 2005: Internet-mediated Intercultural Foreign Language Education. Boston: Thomson Heinle.Google Scholar
O’Dowd, R. (2006) Telecollaboration and the Development of Intercultural Communicative Competence. München: Langenscheidt ELT GmbH.Google Scholar
O’Dowd, R.Eberbach, K. (2004) Guides on the side? Tasks and challenges for teachers in telecollaborative projects. ReCALL, 16(1): 5–19.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Piller, I. (2007) Linguistics and Intercultural Communication. Language and Linguistic Compass (OnlineEarly Articles), 1(3): 208.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Scollon, R.Scollon, S. (2000) Intercultural Communication: A Discourse Approach. Oxford, UK: Blackwell.Google Scholar
Scollon, R.Scollon, S. (2001) Discourse and Intercultural Communication. In: Schiffrin, D., Tannen, D. and Hamilton, H. E. (eds.), The Handbook of Discourse Analysis. Malden, MA: Blackwell.Google Scholar
Shi, L. (2006) Internet-based development of cultural knowledge and awareness among Chinese students of English: attitudes, obstacles and potential. Unpublished PhD thesis. The Open University.Google Scholar
Thorne, S. L. (2006) Pedagogical and Praxiological Lessons from Internet-mediated Intercultural Foreign Language Education Research. In: Belz, J. A. and Thorne, S. L. (eds.), AAUSC 2005: Internet-mediated Intercultural Foreign Language Education. Boston: Thomson Heinle.Google Scholar
Wang, G. Zhou, Z. (2006) Intercultural Language Education in China: Problems and Prospect. The Second International Conference on Foreign Language Teaching Methodology in China. Shanghai, China.Google Scholar
Wang, Z. (2005) Yi kuawenhua jiaowang wei mudi de waiyu jiaoxue – xitong gongneng yufa yu waiyujiaoxue (Intercultural Communication-oriented Foreign Language Teaching – Systemic Functional Grammar and Foreign Language Teaching). Beijing: Beijing Language University Press.Google Scholar
Warschauer, M. (1997) Computer-Mediated Collaborative Learning: Theory and Practice. Modern Language Journal, 81(3): 470–481.Google Scholar
Xu, F.Warschauer, M. (2004) Technology and Curricular Reform in China: A Case Study. TESOL Quarterly, 38(2): 301–323.Google Scholar
Zhang, H. (2005) CCWEP: Its Rationale and Application. Computer-assisted Foreign Language Education, 106: 9–14.Google Scholar
Zhang, L. (2006) Teaching English in China: Language, literature, culture, and social implications. Foreign Language Teaching and Research, 38(5): 248–253.Google Scholar
Zhong, Y.Shen, H. (2002) Where is the technology-induced pedagogy? Snapshots from two multimedia EFL classrooms. British Journal of Educational Technology, 33(1): 39–52.CrossRefGoogle Scholar