Intercultural Learning via Instant Messenger Interaction

Authors

  • Li Jin University of South Florida
  • Tony Erben University of South Florida

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/cj.v24i2.291-312

Keywords:

Intercultural Learning, Instant Messenger, Telecollaboration

Abstract

This paper reports on a qualitative study investigating the viability of instant messenger (IM) interaction to facilitate intercultural learning in a foreign language class. Eight students in a Chinese as a foreign language (CFL) class participated in the study. Each student was paired with a native speaker (NS) of Chinese, and each pair collaborated on eight intercultural-learning tasks over a 2-month period through IM. Data were collected through an ethnographic survey, intercultural sensitivity scale, follow-up interviews, the researcher's reflective journal, and participants' IM conversation transcripts. The results showed that student participants' intercultural interaction engagement and attentiveness steadily increased, they developed self-reflection capacities, critical thinking skills, and greater sensitivity and respect for intercultural differences during their IM-based intercultural learning. Participants also had predominantly positive attitudes toward IM use in intercultural learning.

Author Biographies

  • Li Jin, University of South Florida

    Li Jin is a doctoral candidate in the Second Language Acquisition/Instructional Technology program, College of Arts and Sciences & College of Education, University of South Florida. Her interests include CMC, Chinese as a foreign language, second language acquisition, and sociocultural theory.

  • Tony Erben, University of South Florida

    Tony Erben is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Secondary Education in the College of Education at the University of South Florida. His interests include bilingual, immersion, and foreign language education as well as applied linguistics. He has published in the area of immersion education and is heavily involved in foreign language teacher training in Florida.

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Published

2013-01-14

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Articles

How to Cite

Jin, L., & Erben, T. (2013). Intercultural Learning via Instant Messenger Interaction. CALICO Journal, 24(2), 291-312. https://doi.org/10.1558/cj.v24i2.291-312