Project overview
The intercultural dimensions of language learning and use having risen in prominence as both ELT and higher education become increasingly international. Most recently this has been conceptualised through intercultural citizenship education which aims to produce students who are able to function successfully in intercultural situations across multiple communities from the local to the global. However, most discussions are currently at the theoretical level. There is a lack of empirical evidence documenting the extent to which English language learning and use among international students in English medium instruction (EMI) programmes at international universities leads to the hoped for development of intercultural citizenship. To address this gap this research aims to explore: the degree to which students feel ELT has prepared them for the intercultural aspects of student mobility and EMI; what their perceptions are of English learning and use in ELT and EMI; how both of these relate to their development of intercultural citizenship; and the implications for ELT before, during and after study-abroad. This research will focus on Chinese study-abroad students as the largest group of international students in the UK and a major group of ELT learners. Data will be collected in China and the UK from students before, during and after their study-abroad experiences through questionnaires, interviews and focus groups. The study aims to inform effective practice in ELT to prepare students for student mobility, to support them during EMI and to enable them to develop as globally connected and responsible intercultural citizens.
In this study we aim to gain a better understanding of Chinese international students’ experiences of learning and using English both in China and the UK. In particular we aim to document and explore:
· the extent to which students feel ELT has prepared them for the intercultural aspects of student mobility and EMI;
· what their perceptions are of English learning and use in ELT and EMI;
· how both of these relate to their development (or not) of a sense of intercultural citizenship;
· the implications of the above for ELT (including EAP, ESP) teaching before, during and after study abroad.
In this study we aim to gain a better understanding of Chinese international students’ experiences of learning and using English both in China and the UK. In particular we aim to document and explore:
· the extent to which students feel ELT has prepared them for the intercultural aspects of student mobility and EMI;
· what their perceptions are of English learning and use in ELT and EMI;
· how both of these relate to their development (or not) of a sense of intercultural citizenship;
· the implications of the above for ELT (including EAP, ESP) teaching before, during and after study abroad.
Staff
Lead researcher
