Developmental trajectories of English speaking proficiency and perceived intercultural communicative competence among Japanese university students: a latent growth curve analysis
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: This exploratory longitudinal study examined the developmental trajectories of English speaking proficiency and perceived intercultural communicative competence (PICC) among Japanese university students and whether changes in the two constructs were associated over one academic year. Sixty-four undergraduate students completed an objectively assessed English speaking test and a PICC questionnaire at three measurement occasions. A bivariate latent growth curve model showed acceptable fit to the data. On average, English speaking proficiency increased modestly over time, whereas PICC showed no significant average change. Significant intercept variances indicated individual differences in the initial levels of both constructs, while the slope variances were not statistically significant. The initial level of each construct was not significantly associated with its subsequent rate of change. Furthermore, we found no evidence that changes in English speaking proficiency were systematically associated with changes in PICC during the observed period. Consistent with multidimensional and process-oriented models of intercultural communicative competence, these findings suggest that linguistic proficiency may be an important but insufficient condition for the development of PICC. Language education may therefore benefit from combining speaking instruction with targeted intercultural experiences and structured opportunities for reflection.
Source: Frontiers in Communication
Authors: Takehiko Ito, Atsushi Iino
Institution: Hosei University
Language: English
Subfield: Language and Linguistics
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,418
OpenAlex ID: W7216258415