Impact of Foreign Language Proficiency and English Uses on Intercultural Sensitivity

Автор: Jia-Fen Wu

Журнал: International Journal of Modern Education and Computer Science (IJMECS) @ijmecs

Статья в выпуске: 8 vol.8, 2016 года.

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The main purpose of this study was to examine the impact of English uses and English proficiency on inter-cultural sensitivity among 292 Taiwanese participants. Results indicate that there is a significant differential level of English uses across three groups of the participants (high, moderate and low frequency of English uses). Post-hoc comparison indicated that high-frequency English usesrs have significantly higher inter-cultural sensitivity than moderate and low-frequency users. However, the results do not support the hypothesized linkage between foreign language proficiency and inter-cultural sensitivity. The implications from these findings suggest that the frequency of English uses will better equip EFL learners with sufficient socio-linguistic competences and communicative skills compared with English proficiency. Moreover, inter-cultural sensitivity is a skill learned through authentic interaction in an intercultural context. Thus, the MOF in Taiwan should rethink of washback effect of the English Benchmark Policy.

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English proficiency, Frequency of English uses, Foreign language proficiency, intercultural sensitivity, socio-linguistic competences

Короткий адрес: https://sciup.org/15014891

IDR: 15014891

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