Articles
-
Culture, Common Knowledge and Post-Conflict Reconstruction.
Abstract: Post-conflict reconstruction is one of the most relevant policy issues in the world today. It is argued that widespread coordination characterizes a successful reconstruction. Critical to this outcome is common knowledge among citizens, which facilitates the coordination of activities on a set of beliefs aligning with the aims of reconstruction. The nature of common knowledge in the post-conflict context and its importance in coordinating... [...] Read more
Student Language Teachers as Intercultural Learners in CMC-Based Project Work
Abstract: This paper emerged from a larger study and analyzes the reflections of a transatlantic group of future language teachers who communicated with each other via the bulletin board and chat functions of FirstClass ® to design a joint website module. The author employs the Grounded Theory method and engages in action research in order to identify and analyze instances displaying cross-cultural engagement. Data triangulation... [...] Read more
Intercultural Communication in Letters of Recommendation
Abstract: The letter of recommendation (LR) as a means to communicate across different cultures for the purpose of applying for entering a university can be problematic. Using contrastive rhetoric analytic framework, this paper compares LRs written by Chinese and English native speaker professionals. Discussion of culturally situated interpretations of the LRs is based on interviews with university professors who have been on the admission committee.... [...] Read more
Identity’s Playground: Linking Second Language Use with Strategic Competence.
Abstract: This case study examines how a French immigrant of Senegalese descent negotiates his L2 identity at a multicultural and multilingual workplace environment in the United States. The article is the result of a six-month qualitative case study in which the subject was shadowed and interviewed at his place of employment. The study explores the relationship between strategic competence and social identity and examines how the participant’s social... [...] Read more
An Investigation of Chinese Students´Difficulties in Intercultural Communication and its Role in Elt.
Abstract: This study discusses the intercultural communication competence of Chinese students who were studying at an Australian University. The study specifically explores the frequency of interactions between Chinese students and students from other countries; the difficulties they encountered and the reasons they attributed to these difficulties. Research results, derived from questionnaires and interviews, reveal that the Chinese students... [...] Read more
Collaborating and Communicating Online: A Cross-Bordered Intercultural Project between Taiwan and the U.S.
Abstract: This study explored the collaborative process of an online cross-cultural communication project between Taiwan and the U.S. The behaviors of the cross-cultural teams were analyzed and compared. The results indicated that the U.S. participants enjoyed interacting with their group members more, had developed a better sense of community, and were more comfortable with online communication. However, more of the U.S. participants lurked online. It... [...] Read more