JALT2025 - Tokyo

Rethinking Global Jinzai: Does English Proficiency Predict Intercultural Growth in Study Abroad?

Nov 1, 2025, 12:10 PM

1h

National Olympics Memorial Youth Center / 国立オリンピック記念青少年総合センター

Poster Presentation (60-minutes) Learner Development Room 416

Speakers

Aaron Sponseller (Osaka Jogakuin University) Michael Essex (Shikoku Gakuin University) Reginald Gentry

Description

English proficiency and study abroad are promoted as drivers of "global jinzai" development in Japan. This study examines whether English proficiency predicts intercultural effectiveness gains during study abroad. Japanese university students who studied in Australia and Vietnam were compared to a control group. Results from correlations and regression analyses were mixed, showing that lower-proficiency students sometimes gained more interculturally, while higher-proficiency students often showed declines. Future research should incorporate both larger samples and qualitative insights.

Summary

English proficiency and study abroad are promoted as drivers of "global jinzai" development in Japan. This study examines whether English proficiency predicts intercultural effectiveness gains during study abroad. Japanese university students who studied in Australia and Vietnam were compared to a control group. Results from correlations and regression analyses were mixed, showing that lower-proficiency students sometimes gained more interculturally, while higher-proficiency students often showed declines. Future research should incorporate both larger samples and qualitative insights.