Making Sense of the Ryugakusei Experience : Japanese Students' Reflections of Classroom and Homestay-based Intercultural Experiences in a Short Term Australian University Language Center Program
Year: 2007
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: This article reports a study of 25 Japanese students studying for 6 weeks at a language center attached to a major university in Australia.It focuses on the students' interactions with classmates from other countries, especially those from Asia, as well as on their homestay experiences with Australian farriilies.Respondents to a pre and post-course questionnaire were asked to first predict and later report on their experiences in the classroom and within their homestay families.In addition to issues of language proficiency, they were also asked about their confidence in explaining their own culture and lifestyles to other international students and their willingness and ability to participate in informal or formal exchanges in which both personal and impersonal topics were discussed.The pedagogical implications for Japan-based university instructors, who may teach these students both before and after their overseas academic and intercultural experiences, is discussed, and some curriculum-related recommendations are suggested.2:.0)~)GJ:, ;t-Ar 7 1 J 7::E~::k~1t~~~~ /:$7-~:--
Author: FURMANOVSKY, Michael
Language: English
Subfield: Communication
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7207933783