Impact of Foreign Language Proficiency and English Uses on Intercultural Sensitivity

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Author(s)

Jia-Fen Wu 1,*

1. Impact of Foreign Language Proficiency and English Uses on Intercultural Sensitivity

* Corresponding author.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5815/ijmecs.2016.08.04

Received: 13 May 2016 / Revised: 3 Jun. 2016 / Accepted: 10 Jul. 2016 / Published: 8 Aug. 2016

Index Terms

English proficiency, Frequency of English uses, Foreign language proficiency, intercultural sensitivity, socio-linguistic competences

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to examine the impact of English uses and English proficiency on inter-cultural sensitivity among 292 Taiwanese participants. Results indicate that there is a significant differential level of English uses across three groups of the participants (high, moderate and low frequency of English uses). Post-hoc comparison indicated that high-frequency English usesrs have significantly higher inter-cultural sensitivity than moderate and low-frequency users. However, the results do not support the hypothesized linkage between foreign language proficiency and inter-cultural sensitivity. The implications from these findings suggest that the frequency of English uses will better equip EFL learners with sufficient socio-linguistic competences and communicative skills compared with English proficiency. Moreover, inter-cultural sensitivity is a skill learned through authentic interaction in an intercultural context. Thus, the MOF in Taiwan should rethink of washback effect of the English Benchmark Policy.

Cite This Paper

Jia-Fen Wu, "Impact of Foreign Language Proficiency and English Uses on Intercultural Sensitivity", International Journal of Modern Education and Computer Science(IJMECS), Vol.8, No.8, pp.28-35, 2016. DOI:10.5815/ijmecs.2016.08.04

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