University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Cross-cultural collaboration via message board for cultural understanding and language learning

Chen, Chiao-ling

This item is only available for download by members of the University of Illinois community. Students, faculty, and staff at the U of I may log in with your NetID and password to view the item. If you are trying to access an Illinois-restricted dissertation or thesis, you can request a copy through your library's Inter-Library Loan office or purchase a copy directly from ProQuest.

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/125871

Description

Title
Cross-cultural collaboration via message board for cultural understanding and language learning
Author(s)
Chen, Chiao-ling
Issue Date
2006
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
  • Sadler, Randall
  • Cziko, Gary
Department of Study
Linguistics
Discipline
Teaching English as a Second Language
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
M.A.
Degree Level
Thesis
Keyword(s)
  • Teaching English as Second Language
  • Cross-cultural Collaboration
  • EFL Students
  • Taiwan
  • US College Students
  • Message Board
  • Online Discussions
  • Cultural Perspectives
  • Linguistic Barriers
  • Cultural Barriers
  • Motivation
  • Confidence in English Writing
  • Culture Learning
  • International Collaboration
  • Online Discussion Activities
  • Language Classrooms
  • Interactive Activities
  • Student Participation
Language
eng
Abstract
This study describes a cross-cultural collaboration between English as a Foreign Language (EFL) college students in Taiwan and college students in the US via a message board. Through five weeks of online discussions, students in both groups changed their perspectives of the target culture. Some students also gained better insights and understanding of their own culture. Even though the EFL students didn't participate as actively as the US students due to linguistic barriers, cultural barriers and a lack of strong motivation, being able to use English in a meaningful and communicative way allowed them to build more confidence in English writing. The findings confirm the usefulness of using message boards to facilitate culture learning and international collaboration. They also show the potential of incorporating cross-cultural online discussion activities in foreign language classrooms. However, language teachers will need to plan online collaborations carefully and design interactive activities to promote students' participations.
Type of Resource
text
Handle URL
https://hdl.handle.net/2142/125871
Copyright and License Information
Copyright by Chiao-Ling Chen, 2006

Owning Collections

Dissertations and Theses - Linguistics PRIMARY
Graduate Dissertations and Theses at Illinois
Graduate Theses and Dissertations at Illinois